The sophisticated supper: Sarde in saor (pictured above)

Makes 600 g

• 200g extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic
• 4 large carrots
• 4 large white onions
• 4 sticks celery
• 3 whole cloves
• 50g unsalted butter
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Step 1
Warm the oil over a low heat.

Step 2
Add the garlic.

Step 3
Let it sizzle for around 5 minutes until slightly brown, then take it out.

Step 4
Add all the veg and cloves to the pan, cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the carrot and celery are sweating mildly.

Step 5
Season.

Step 6
To finish, let a few knobs of butter melt on top of the warm soffritto.