Christmas Pasta

recipe adapted from Rachael Ray

Ingredients

• 2 tbs. EVOO
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup good quality dry red wine
• 1 cup prepared beef broth, paper container or canned
• 2 (32-ounce) cans chunky style crushed tomatoes
• A handful chopped flat leaf parsley leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon (a couple of pinches) allspice or cinnamon
• Coarse salt and black pepper
• 2 pounds Gluten-Free brown rice penne rigate, cooked to al dente

 Directions

1. In a large skillet brown ground beef; drain off excess fat and set meat aside. 
2. Heat a deep pot over medium high heat. Add oil, garlic, bay, and cook for about 30 seconds. Add meat and cook for 2 minutes. 
3. Chop carrot, celery, and onions near the stove and add to the pot as you work. Cook vegetables with meat 5 minutes and add wine. Cook for 1 minute; add stock and tomatoes to the pot.
4. Stir in parsley, allspice, or cinnamon and season sauce with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and cook 10 to 15 minutes minimum before serving. Reheated sauce only improves.
5. Toss pasta with sauce to coat, then top bowl with extra sauce.

Garlic Bread

recipe adapted from Ina Garten

 Ingredients

• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 1 loaf ciabatta or French bread
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

 Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the garlic in the bowl of a food processor and process until minced. Add the parsley, oregano, salt and pepper and pulse twice.
3. Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan and add the garlic mixture. Remove the pan from the heat.
4. Slice the ciabatta bread in half horizontally, and spread the butter on 1 half. Spread the garlic mixture on the other half of the bread, and put the halves together. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil.
5. Place the bread in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Open the foil, and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes.

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