Pasta (with meat sauce) bolognaise

My children have always called this international Italian favourite "pasta with meat sauce". However, I use far less meat than most recipes for pasta bolognaise. It tastes just as good and is consistent with my 2010 resolution to eat less meat (a small contribution to the environment).

Ingredients (for lots: prepare it once and freeze the rest for days when you don't feel like cooking)

• 750 grams lean minced meat
• 250 grams soya granules
• 4 onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 carrots
• 1 stalk of celery
• 2 large tins of peeled tomatoes
• 1 small packet of tomato puree
  
• olive oil
  
• 4 tablespoons salt
• cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
  

+ any kind of pasta cooked al dente
+ grated parmesan or grana padano

1. Soak the soya granules in cold water
2. Chop the onions and stir-fry them in olive oil until soft (use a very large casserole)
3. Add the minced meat and keep stirring till the meat is browned
4. Chop the carrots, celery and garlic in a blender and add to the meat
5. Chop the tinned tomatoes and pour them in, together with the remaining liquid in the tin and the tomato puree
   
6. Season with salt, cayene pepper and sugar
7. Strain the soya granules and add them to the sauce
8. Cover the pan and let the sauce simmer for around 40 minutes