Vegan Bolognese Sauce and Gnocchi

Ingredients

• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 250 grams vegan mince, or soy mince
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 400 grams diced tomatoes (canned)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/3 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 400 grams gnocchi, store-bought

Instructions

1. 1

   Dice the vegetables: onion, carrot, and celery. Mince...: Dice the vegetables: onion, carrot, and celery. Mince the garlic.

2. 2

   Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a...: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.

3. 3

   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for...: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the vegan mince along with the herbs...: Add the vegan mince along with the herbs (bay leaf, thyme, oregano) and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.

5. 5

   Push the mixture to one side of the...: Push the mixture to one side of the pan, add the tomato paste, and let it cook for about 1 minute to develop its flavor. Stir it into the vegetables and mince.

6. 6

   Pour in the red wine, scraping up any...: Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.

7. 7

   Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, salt, and...: Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

8. 8

   While the sauce is simmering, cook the gnocchi...: While the sauce is simmering, cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves boiling in salted water for 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Drain and set aside.

9. 9

   Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Taste...: Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Gently fold the cooked gnocchi into the sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

10. 10

    Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve...: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve immediately.