Braised Beef Ragu in Two Courses

Ingredients

• 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 1/2 pounds beef chuck
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 ounces slice pancetta, diced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 stalk celery, finely diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup excellent quality tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 3 cups peeled, seeded and diced tomatoes, fresh or excellent quality canned, like Mutti
• 1 pound pasta, penne or rigatoni
• Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano