Chef Costa Danakas,
Nikos
Chef Costa incorporates ingredients from his own family recipes into what he serves today. Warm spices give depth and character to meat sauces used in classic recipes.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine
1 cup water
15 oz can diced tomatoes
2 x 15 oz cans tomato sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbsp dry oregano
2 Tbsp dry parsley
1 x 500g package noodles
(mezzani 3 or ziti 2)
2 Tbsp butter
Garnish (optional)
grated cheese for topping (Myzithra or Parmesan)
Method
- Heat olive oil in medium sized pot over high heat to caramelize the onion and garlic.
- Add ground beef and spices. Pour in wine and stir until evaporates.
- Once the meat has dried add the tomatoes and tomato sauce and mix well.
- Add the water and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about an hour and a half.
- Add cinnamon, oregano and parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook noodles until ready.
- Once pasta is cooked, strain and add 2 Tbsp butter and serve with sauce and grated cheese on top.
Yield 6-8 servings
