Versatile Tomato Sauce Recipes

ALL DAY VERSATILE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large pot saute onion, garlic, oregano and basil in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the neck bones and let simmer with the lid on until the onions are transparent. Note: if using ground beef cook with onion mixture.
• Once onions are clear, add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste and water. If using meat in your recipe add at this time. Cover and simmer for several hours.
• Before serving, remove neck bones and discard.

HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE I

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Have ready a large bowl of iced water. Plunge whole tomatoes in boiling water until skin starts to peel, 1 minute. Remove with slotted spoon and place in ice bath. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then remove peel and squeeze out seeds. Chop 8 tomatoes and puree in blender or food processor. Chop remaining two tomatoes and set aside.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook onion, bell pepper, carrot and garlic in oil and butter until onion starts to soften, 5 minutes. Pour in pureed tomatoes. Stir in chopped tomato, basil, Italian seasoning and wine. Place bay leaf and whole celery stalks in pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 2 hours. Stir in tomato paste and simmer an additional 2 hours. Discard bay leaf and celery and serve.

VERSATILE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place oil in a large stockpot set over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; saute until soft, about 6 minutes. Add carrots, squash, zucchini, salt and pepper to taste, rosemary, and thyme. Stirring occasionally, cook until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer half the mixture to a bowl; set aside. Gently crush the plum tomatoes with your hands, and add them (with juice) to the pot. Simmer over medium-low heat until sauce begins to thicken, about 1 1/2 hours. Add reserved squash mixture, and heat. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

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.

ALL-PURPOSE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a pot over medium-high. When it shimmers, add onion; season with 1 tablespoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden in places, 8 to 10 minutes (if onion colors too quickly, reduce heat to medium). Stir in garlic and red-pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add puréed tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened slightly and reduced to 6 cups, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted and sauce is uniform in color. If not using it immediately, let the sauce cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to five days, or freeze for up to three months.

MARCELLA HAZAN'S TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, their juices, the butter and the onion halves in a saucepan. Add a pinch or two of salt.
• Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with a spoon. Add salt as needed.
• Discard the onion before tossing the sauce with pasta. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of pasta.