I looked at this sauce, and it was like seeing the reflection of summer’s last sunset turn into the equinox.
I start with shallots, fresh fennel, crushed fennel seeds, and celery as a base of a sauce that feels like gently letting go of summer into the comfort of longer cooking. I love lamb, but you can absolutely use beef or your favorite plant-based option. The ground meat is slowly cooked in dry white wine, stock, and a “measured” amount of saffron threads but to be honest, I don’t measure saffron.
I go wild with the threads as if I were a millionaire saffron girly.
The sauce has enough liquid and cooking time to draw saffron’s flavor, so no need to bloom in hot water first. The saffron turns this sauce into a beautiful golden color and a splash of cream at the end makes it sing.
Welcome, Fall.
Lo-Fi sounds curated by my super-talented friend, DJ Cozmic Vibes. This mixtape is so good I downloaded it for the plane level of obsession playlist. Gracias, Jesse!
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Equinox Bolognese
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium fennel bulb, finely chopped