Minced-meat sauce

Adapted from Latviešu ēdieni
Serves 2

• 140 g onion, minced
• 3 - 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 100 g carrot, grated
• 200 g ground beef
• 50 g bacon (optional)
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 chile powder
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp red wine
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 1/2 tbsp flour
• 1/4 c (60 g) sour cream
• salt, pepper

Saute bacon in a large pan over moderate heat, if using, until fat renders, otherwise, use 1 tbsp olive oil and proceed. Saute onion, carrot and garlic until lightly browned. Add ground beef, paprika, chile powder, salt and pepper. cooking until the beef is nicely browned. (If you're using a particularly fatty meat, you might need to drain off some fat.)

Clear a space in the middle and add flour, cooking it in the fat (as in making a golden roux). Pour in the wine, soy sauce and stock, mixing everything up well. Add sour cream and stir well. Let simmer for 10 - 15 minutes, until it's as thick as you want it and the flavors have combined. Taste, adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes:

1. The original recipe called for smoked bacon which was rendered down and the rest of the ingredients sauteed in the fat, but I forgot to buy some bacon ends at the store today. Add some if you wish, though it doesn't really require it.