Old World Sunday Ragù

Photo by John Haigwood, Haigwood Studios

Recipe by Marie Di Palma, Mother of Giovanni Di Palma, Owner, Antico Pizza Napoletano

Yield: 6-8 servings

extra virgin Italian olive oil, as needed
 4-6        country-style pork ribs
 1            Andrea Bocelli CD
 1            bottle Italian red wine (such as Chianti Classico) 
 1            large Spanish onion, peeled and chopped
 4            cloves fresh garlic, peeled and chopped
 1            90-ounce can San Marzano DOP tomatoes, hand-crushed
 1/4       tube double-concentrated tomato paste
 sea salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed
 dash of patience
 dash of passion
 8          homemade meatballs (“Fuggedabout getting this recipe!”)
crushed red pepper as needed
 6          leaves fresh basil, plus more for garnish
 pasta for serving

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Primero…In a large saucepot over low heat, add olive oil to cover entire bottom of pot. When olive oil becomes warm (but not too hot), add pork ribs and brown slowly on both sides. Turn on Bocelli and open vino. Pour yourself a small glass and have a taste.

Remove browned ribs. Add onion and garlic to oil. When onion and garlic become light brown, add tomatoes and about 1 cup water. Squeeze a few squirts of paste, about 1/4 tube. Add 1 teaspoon sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir and bring to boil; reduce to simmer. Go to church and pick up some fresh Italian bread at a bakery on the way home.

Secondo…Brown meatballs. Return browned pork ribs and meatballs to sauce. Add 1 glass red wine to pot and pour another for you; stir well. Go do a few loads of laundry and a little gardening. Pick some fresh basil. 

Finale....Remove meats after about 3 hours of slow simmering. Tear off end of bread and dip in for a taste. Season final sauce with salt and pepper to taste, and perhaps a pinch of crushed red pepper. Tear basil leaves and add them to the pot; stir well. Save some basil to top each dish as you plate it. Boil salted water and cook pasta al dente.

Count your meatballs – you can be sure there are only half as many as you cooked because while you were doing household stuff they mysteriously vanished during football-game commercials. Hint: Follow the trail of sauce for the culprits. Say a few curse words in Italian, pour more wine for you and serve dinner with a smile. ... Because that’s what makes Sundays special and always keeps your family and guests coming back! Buon appetito, mangia!!

Antico Pizza Napoletana
 1093 Hemphill Ave.
 404/724-2333
anticopizza.it