Italian Tomato Sauce

A good Tomato Sauce is one of the most important aspects of Italian Cooking. We all remember how Henry Hill in the Goodfellas movie had his brother constantly stirring the sauce for what seemed like an eternity – well this is apt care and attention for such a vital ingredient of so many dishes. Here we are going to show you how to make a fantastic Sicilian Tomato Sauce.

Ingredients:

2 x 32oz. cans of CRUSHED tomatoes
2 x 32oz. can of DICED tomatoes
2 x 6oz. cans of plain tomato sauce
2 x 6oz. cans tomato paste
1 x large Vidalia onion
2 x tbsp. minced garlic
Olive Oil
Basil
Oregano
Parsley
Table Salt

Instructions:

• Dice one large Vidalia onion
• Mince two tbsp of garlic
• Pour two or three tbsp of olive oil into the bottom of a four quart (or larger) saucepan, and put on a medium heat stove
• Add the diced onions into the pan once the sauce is hot (after one or two minutes, usually). Cook this for five or ten minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions take on a soft feel and transparent look, - but don’t let them turn brown.
• Add the minced garlic into the pan and stir to mix in with the onions
• While the garlic is cooking, open each of the tomato cans, except for the paste, and continue to stir the garlic between opening the cans
• Add the diced tomatoes into the pan stirring it until the mixture comes to a boil
• Now, add the crushed tomatoes into the pan, continuing to stir until it comes to a boil once more
• Add the two cans of tomato paste into the pan
• Now, stir the mix up so the tomato paste blends in well. If you feel the sauce has become too thick, add water and continue to stir until you are satisfied with the consistency
• Add a tbsp each of basil, oregano, parsley and a pinch of salt and stir well, ensuring the sauce round the edges of the pan is mixed well in to distribute the final flavours around evenly
• Reduce the heat to allow the sauce to simmer for two hours, ensuring you stir it every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent it from burning
• The sauce is now ready to use!

Chefs Tips:

• If you find your sauce to have a bitter or acidic taste, add a tbsp of sugar and mix thoroughly
• If you have the time, it is worth remembering to make a truly excellent sauce, it can take up to six hours simmering time, adding a little water here and there if the mix becomes too thick in consistency.

Additional Tip:

• To make a meat sauce, add a half pound of minced or ground beef, or even cooked meatballs or Italian sausage to make a sauce to go with pasta.