Simple Tomato Sauce

Marinara sauce, or sailor-sauce as translated from the Italian, is a simple sauce of tomato, garlic, and herbs. A few additional ingredients, including wine and onions, exclude this recipe from the traditional definition of marinara sauce. Nonetheless, it's a quick, versatile, tomato-based vegetarian sauce.

Recipe below...

Notes:

• Simple tomato sauce is delicious and versatile. Toss with pasta or vegetables, brighten up a grilled cheese sandwich, or use as a topping for homemade pizza.
• This is an easy make-ahead sauce. It can be kept for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, or up to 2 months in the freezer.
• Freeze in small portions for future use, thawing only the amount needed.
• For the best flavor, it's important to begin with whole, peeled tomatoes, which are then crushed by hand.

The Recipe:
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1/3 cup red wine
2 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed, juices reserved
6-8 large, fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons sugar

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent, 5-8 minutes. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Saute until garlic begins to turn a golden color, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste, saute 1 minute. Add white wine, cook about 1 minute. Add tomatoes with their juices, basil, and sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring to continue to break up any large chunks of tomato. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until sauce thickens. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Discard basil leaves.

Makes about 4 cups, enough to cover 1 pound of pasta with some sauce leftover.

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Comments

[Trudy]

Hi Genevieve: I've never made my "Sunday Sauce" or "Gravy" with white wine. Nonni always told me to use red wine. I guess the white wine makes a lighter sauce. After all, Nonni was Neopolitan. Those Nepolitanos are known for their heavier cooking. I'll have to try white vs. red - maybe its more northern italian?!