Ground Beef, Tomato, and Dried Fruit with Olives Spaghetti Sauce

1 red onion, chopped
5 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
1 bay leaf
a sprig of rosemary, chopped; leaves from a few sprigs of thyme; sage leaves chopped; parsley chopped (altogether the herbs amounted to a few Tablespoons of herbs)
2 tsps of sea salt, and then add more to your preference
small handful of chopped cranberries and apricots
about 20 small green olives
3 Tablespoons of tomato paste
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. lean groundbeef
1 cup of water


Add olive oil to large saute pan and turn on heat to medium/medium high. Add onion and garlic and saute a while, about 5 minutes. Add meat, salt, and continue sauteeing. Stir every so often. After about 10 minutes, add herbs, tomato paste, the chopped fruit and water. Stir and then reduce heat to medium/medium low and continue cooking for about another 30 minutes. By this time the sauce will be done, though feel free to continue simmering the sauce another 30 minutes to really allow the flavors to meld.

Serve over pasta.