Goulash

So it appears as if it is time again for another installment. It's been a bit since I last did any cooking. I have been blessed with a few free dinners over most of the week (The Amex appreciates free dinners in return for a small grocery bill the following week).

So for a quick dinner, especially when your not feeling all that creative and you are very hungry, here is my grandmothers Goulash. (Click for a Wiki article) Yes this isn't really goulash, I grew up calling it that.

Get yourself a 12 inch straight side saute pan. Get some butter or oil your choice here. Roughly chop an onion, you can be as rough or as fine as you want, but for a heartier dish, chop them in at least half inch pieces. Let them get soft, but not to the carmelization stage. Toss in 3 cloves of garlic and continue to cook.

Now is a great time to set some water up to boil for the pasta element.

Next add a pound or so of ground beef, veal, or pork. Let this brown up amongst the onions and garlic. Add a few cracks of fresh pepper now too.

Next your going to add 2 cans of peeled whole tomatoes, that you will promptly slice in quarters after you add them to the pot. You want the juices and seeds to mingle in with everything. Add some fresh basil here.

After the meat is browned and mostly cooked through, you should now have boiling water, add your choice of pasta, but i would stay away from any kind of long pasta, try elbows or for a fancier appearance use bow ties.

Next add a small can of tomato sauce. You know the little 50 cent cans?

By now the pasta is done (Feel free to let it under cook a bit so the pasta doesn't get too soft and gooey for the leftovers the next day or so). Add it in to the rest of the food and fold the meat tomatoes and everything else. Yes I did say fold.

Add another can of tomato sauce, fold some more, cover and walk away for 5 minutes. Then stir again. You may need another can of sauce, but hold off for a bit until you see that the pasta absorbed all of the sauce.

After 15 minutes or so of covered cooking on low heat, you can serve as everything has gotten thick. Serve with sugar, fresh pepper, and some bread.

Shopping List:
1lb. Ground Beef, Veal, or Pork, your choice!
1 large yellow onion
3 cloves garlic
oil or butter (or BOTH!)
1 lb. pasta
2 12oz cans of peeled whole tomatos
2 6 oz cans of tomato sauce (not the marinara kind)
Fresh Pepper
Fresh (or dried) basil