Dad’s Bolognese Meat Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 7 carrots, coarsely chopped
• 1 small white onion, chopped
• 4 slices ham
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 lemon, zested
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pinch dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Directions

Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble very finely and set aside.

In a food processor, chop the carrots, onion and ham.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir in carrot mixture and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in cooked beef, beef broth, tomato paste, lemon zest, bay leaves, basil and nutmeg. Simmer over lowest heat, partially covered, for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Immediately before serving, stir in cream and mix well.