All you really need to make a good vegetarian minced meat sauce is a bunch of mushrooms.
Image: Theresa White
If you don’t feel like substitute products, but like a pasta sauce without meat, you should try mushrooms as a mince. The result is a flavorful, bold Bolognese without soy or seitan.
II’ve tried them all: this new soft substitute mince from the refrigerated counter, fake mince made from wheat protein called seitan, soy granules, crumbled smoked tofu. Everything works. But now I know: A good vegetarian Bolognese only needs one thing: a blender. And mushrooms. A lot of mushrooms. If you don’t feel like substitute products, but want a nice tomato pasta sauce without meat, my spicy mushroom bolognese is the right choice.
Preparation is easy if you have the right kitchen utensil. First things first: Put the mushrooms in a blender and shred, this usually takes several passes. Then chop the carrot, leek, onion and garlic separately in the blender. Fry the mushroom crumbs in a pan with a little oil until they are nicely browned on the bottom. Then add the remaining pieces of vegetables, fry and resist the desire to stir too often – the mass should develop a good amount of toasted aromas.