Tomato Raisin Sauce Recipes

SICILIAN LEMON CHICKEN WITH RAISIN-TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the raisins in warm water until they plump, about 10 minutes.
• Drain and set aside.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Stir in the onion, garlic, pine nuts, and olives.
• Season with bay leaves, oregano, and cayenne.
• Cook until the onions have softened and begun to turn golden, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper; cook for 5 more minutes.
• Add the raisins, balsamic vinegar, and sugar; cook, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5 more minutes.
• Remove the bay leaves, and stir in the julienned basil. Cover and keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• While the skillet is heating, toss the chicken with the lemon juice to coat (the lemon zest will be used later).
• Cook the chicken on both sides until golden brown and the juices run clear, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a warm plate, and allow to rest for about five minutes.
• To serve, slice each chicken breast against the grain into thin slices.
• Divide the pasta into four wide, shallow bowls.
• Fan the chicken slices out over top of the pasta, and spoon the tomato sauce over them.
• Sprinkle with lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, and a sprig of basil to garnish.

THE BEST TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil and garlic cloves in a large saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes (do not let the garlic burn). Once the cloves are nicely browned remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add the onion to the garlic-infused oil and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Crush the can of San Marzano tomatoes into the pot with your hands, then fill the can with water and pour it into the sauce. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, granulated garlic, onion powder and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Finely chop the reserved browned garlic cloves and add to the sauce.
• Stir in the Parmesan rind, if using, and the basil sprig. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until it has deepened in color and reduced slightly, about 1 hour 30 minutes (if the sauce begins to scorch, lower the heat). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Discard the Parmesan rind and basil before serving.

TOMATO RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Whirl ingredients in a food processor or blender, making sure the raisins are chopped.

TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and cook on a low heat until soft. Add the garlic and tomato purée. Cook for a few minutes then add the chopped tomatoes and oregano. Season generously and simmer for 20 mins, then allow to cool.
• Store in sterilised jars in the fridge for up to 1 week, or transfer to a container and freeze for up to 2 months.

TOMATO SAUCE WITH PINE NUTS, CAPERS, OLIVES AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Drain tomatoes into a measuring cup. Reserve 1/4 cup of packing juice. Roughly chop tomatoes and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over low heat until shimmering. Add garlic and cook gently until soft but not brown. Add tomatoes, raise heat to medium, and cook tomatoes until they are soft and broken down, about 15 minutes. Add a little reserved juice if necessary, but keep the sauce very thick.
• Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat until golden, stirring (or shaking and tossing) often. Stir into the sauce along with the raisins, olive, and capers. Season sauce to taste and serve with fish or tossed with pasta.