The Flavors of Italy: A Recipe for Spicy Calabrian Chilli Paste Beef Ragu

When it comes to Italian cuisine, there's one ingredient that stands out for its bold, smoky flavor: the Calabrian chilli paste. These little red peppers pack a punch and add a depth of flavor to any dish they're used in. In this recipe, we'll combine them with beef ragu and other classic Italian ingredients to create a sauce that's both spicy and savory.

The key to making a great beef ragu is starting with high-quality ingredients. For this recipe, you'll need:

* 1 pound ground beef

* 2 tablespoons olive oil

* 1 onion, finely chopped

* 2 cloves garlic, minced

* 1 cup red wine (we recommend using a dry Pinot Noir)

* 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

* 2 cups beef broth

* 1 teaspoon dried oregano

* Salt and pepper to taste

* 2-3 Calabrian chilli peppers, chopped (depending on desired level of spiciness)

To begin, cook the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat until it's browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is fully cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside.

Next, add the olive oil to the pot and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until they're softened. Add the red wine and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits that have formed on the bottom.

Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have melded together and the sauce has thickened slightly.

While the sauce is cooking, prepare the Calabrian chilli paste. Simply chop the peppers and add them to the sauce during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.

Once the sauce is done, return the cooked ground beef to the pot and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Serve the ragu over cooked pasta, such as pappardelle or rigatoni, and enjoy the bold flavors of Italy.

The Calabrian Chilli Paste: A Flavorful Addition

For those who may not be familiar with Calabrian chilli paste, it's a type of Italian chili pepper that's been preserved in oil. The resulting paste is smoky, salty, fruity, and spicy all at once, making it the perfect addition to this beef ragu.

To incorporate the Calabrian chilli paste into your cooking, simply chop the peppers and add them to your dish during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. This will allow their flavors to meld together with the other ingredients and create a sauce that's both spicy and savory.

This Spicy Calabrian Chilli Paste Beef Ragu is a classic Italian recipe that combines bold, smoky flavors with tender beef and pasta. The addition of Calabrian chilli paste gives the dish a unique flavor profile that's sure to please even the most discerning palate. So why not give it a try tonight? Your taste buds will thank you!