Party in the pan

But this is only the preparation stage. Now starts the cooking. Ingredient by ingredient, starting with the onion, followed by the garlic and meat, he gently fries them in olive oil. He even sniffs that oil to ensure that his creation will pass the ultimate test, that of his guest, me that is. The combination of aromas is quite nostril-tickling, which then changes as the small pieces of tomato join in the fun. Then he produces something new, a bottle of Valpolicella he has been hiding away. Slowly he withdraws the cork, which delights with a pleasing small ‘pop’.