The Chicago Blog

Chicago.com’s Guide To Pasta Bolognese

December 15th, 2009

By: Vince Hickey
Chief Writer
vinnie@chicago.com
http://www.chicago.com

11 Comments »

Pasta Bolognese

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 medium carrot, finely diced
1 medium celery rib, finely diced
2 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, finely diced
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground veal
1/4 pound ground pork
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine
One 28-ounce can peeled Italian tomatoes–seeded and finely chopped, juices reserved
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 pounds penne rigate
Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Heat up 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a saucepan until wavy. Add the onion, carrot, celery and pancetta and cook over medium flame, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 8 minutes. Scrape the vegetable mixture into a large bowl.
Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the saucepan and heat until wavy. Add the beef, veal and pork and cook over medium high heat for about 5 minutes. Return the vegetable mixture to the saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost evaporated, about 8 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, the chicken stock, thyme and bay leaf. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover partially and cook over moderately low heat for 1 hour. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream and cook the sauce just until heated through.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain well, return to the pot and toss with some sauce. enough to coat the pasta

Our Next Video: Rush And Division

December 10th, 2009

By: Vince Hickey
Chief Writer
vinnie@chicago.com
http://www.chicago.com

7 Comments »

My my my where to begin…

Five Chicago.com guys (Vujadin, Pasquale, Big P, Jarred and myself) set their sails Wednesday night to film their way around the Rush and Division area of The Gold Coast. The night started out on a high note at Pippin’s with the level of energy soaring like O’Hare airport. We were treated like royalty by the patrons and Jimmy, the bartender. Shot after shot of Jameson helped us bare the cold, and Guinness pints left a great taste in our mouths for the stroll down the street to Dublin’s Pub to eat the BEST Irish stew I have ever had.

Then we met up with the “King of Rush street” Pete Parrilli. Pete showed us around his favorite spots and he took us to Mother’s bar on Division. They are known for being in the Rob Lowe film About Last Night, and also Eric Clapton has been known to play there on occasion. We didn’t run into Eric but we did encounter Tony and Tony’s father from the off Broadway show Tony and Tina’s Wedding, which is Chicago’s longest running play. Celebrity sightings are nothing new for Rush Street, but for me it’s actually common. Our last stop was the show stopper Shenanigan’s. My buddy Steve, the manager, showed the entire crew a good time as we watched beautiful girls sporting some holiday themed lingerie dancing on stripper poles , drank body shots of tequila and danced the night away to awesome music.

This video is going to be one of the best. Look for it on our Videos section next week. Until then, check out our other videos. And all the people that made it a success I give you a “thanks cousin”.

Getting some liquid courage before the interviews at Dublin’s
The Chicago.com Team at Dublins

Chicago.com crew – from left to right: Pasquale (the cameraman), cousin Vinnie (our host), Jarred (technician), Vujadin (the lighting technician), Big P (security)
The Chicago.com Team at Mother's

Mother’s bar set – scene with Pete Parrilli – “King of Rush street”
Vinnie posing at Mother's

What the he** is Vinnie doing?
Vinnie posing at Mother's

Bonding with Julius
Vinnie interviewing a waitress at Mother's

Vinnie interviewing Giana from Mother’s
Vinnie at Shenanigan's

Vinnie getting ready for some holiday cheer
Vinnie at Shenanigan's

Just like grandma’s house at Christmas
Chicago.com Team at Shenanigan's

Getting to know Santa and his little helpers
Chicago.com Team at Shenanigan's

Setting up the last shot for the night
Vinnie with Santa at Shenanigan's

Don’t you have presents to deliver?_ Unless you fork over some cash, Mrs. Clause is getting these pictures.
Chicago.com's Twitter Girls at Shenanigan's

Our beautiful twitter girls, Aaryn and Ashley
Chicago.com Team at Shenanigan's

Security check
Chicago.com Team at Shenanigan's

Good times
Chicago.com Team at Shenanigan's

Chicago.com team getting ready to close out the night

Archive for December, 2009