A friend recently confessed that she doesn’t make her own tomato sauce. She buys it at the supermarket, all made and packed in a jar. Before I go any further, I guess I should add that this particular woman is Italian-American. While I can’t verify, I’ve got to assume that her nonna is turning in her grave.
I did my best version of tough love by simultaneously expressing outrage and sympathy. Although, I’m not quite sure why I should be sympathetic. Tomato sauce, marinara in Italy, is both easy to make and takes almost no time at all. Besides, there is just enough chopping in a single batch to calm you down at the end of a tough day. (If it’s been a really, really tough day, better keep the knife in the block and order take-out.)
An added bonus, marinara freezes beautifully. So, go ahead and stir up several quarts to enjoy throughout the fall and winter. It is the perfect way to spend a rainy fall afternoon. Turn on some music, sing along and dance around the kitchen surrounded by the warm and wonderful aroma of garlic, onion and herbs simmering in tomatoes and wine.
Now, if your roots are not in Italy, there are loads of variations on this theme. Tomato sauces are found around the world. Perhaps, you’ve heard of the five mother sauces of French cuisine. Yes, tomato is one of them. Where ever you may travel, if locals can grow them, you’ll probably find tomato sauce in one form or another. Or to-mah-to sauce, if you prefer.
Just as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are the building blocks of mathematics, a handful of recipes are culinary basics. These basics are at the heart of many meals and the foundation for new invention. What are they? Well, you can find them on dozens of lists. You know what I’m talking about; these lists have names like Five (or Ten or Twenty or More) Essential Recipes Everyone Should Know. There are a bunch of them. I think maybe I should put a list together. Anyway, in case you haven’t noticed, tomato sauce is on all or at least most of them.
Tomato sauce is definitely one of the basics in Mediterranean cuisine. A quart of marinara is good for more than a quick and easy meatless Monday spaghetti supper. A lot more. It is perfect for braising chicken, beef or lamb. It is just as good in a fish soup. Add ground beef or turkey or pork or veal or some combination to your marinara and it becomes Bolognese, a hearty sauce for fettucine. Play around with the spices and that Bolognese is perfect for moussaka or pastitsio.
Some might ask, “Why bother?” Simple, your homecooked sauce will be better than anything you’ll find in a jar. It won’t be filled with preservatives and weird ingredients you can’t spell or pronounce. In addition, you’ll be rewarded with almost instant gratification. From start to finish, it takes about a half hour to make a quart of marinara for a delicious dinner to share with those you love. And by the way, for about twenty of those minutes the sauce is simmering. Except for an occasional stir, you are freed up to make a salad or do whatever needs doing – including relaxing with a glass of wine. With a little more time, you can use it as the base for a fabulous chicken cacciatore, an Italian beef stew, lasagna or whatever suits you tonight.
Happy cooking and bon appétit!
If it’s been a while or never since you made homemade marinara, there is no time like the present. Enjoy!
Makes about 1 quart
- Olive oil
- About 1/3 large onion, chopped
- 1/2-1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian herbs
- Pinch or to taste dried chili pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry red wine
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh basil
Heat a little olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and season with the herbs, pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes more.
Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the basil and simmer for a minute or two more.
Use about 1/2 cup of sauce for each serving of pasta or include it in your favorite tomatoey casseroles, braises and soups.
Feel free to make a big batch; I usually make about 6 quarts at a time. The only things you don’t need to multiply by six are the carrot and bay leaf – 1-2 carrots and 1-2 bay leaves should do it.
Printer-friendly version of this recipe.
Want more?
- One Year Ago – Grilled Ratatouille
- Two Years Ago – Cod, Corn & White Bean Soup
- Three Years Ago – Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Icing
- Four Years Ago – Applesauce Scones
- Five Years Ago – Roasted Beet Tatin with Goat Cheese & Walnuts
- Six Years Ago – Fettuccine with Fresh Corn & Tomatoes
- Seven Years Ago – Chicken Parmagiana with Spaghetti Marinara
- Eight Years Ago – Lemon Roasted Salmon with Beurre Blanc
- Nine Years Ago – Wild Mushroom Soup
- Ten Years Ago – Rustic Apple Tart
- Eleven Years Ago – Brie & Sundried Tomato Omelette
Or Click Here! for a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog!
What are your favorite culinary basics and classics? Feel free to share!
Want more? I’ve got links to lots more to read, see & cook. © Susan W. Nye, 2019