Hey all -
I found this recipe from an Italian cooking class I took years ago and whipped it up tonight. It's a great standby and a real blank canvas recipe....great on its own or ready for your improvising!
Serves 4 (or 2-3 hungry people)
In a 3-4 quart pot over medium-high heat, combine 1 chopped onion, 6 minced cloves garlic and 1 T olive oil. Stir often until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, mince or finely chop 1/4 C fresh basil leaves. Add to onion along with 1 can (28 oz) of whole, pear tomatoes with their juice. Add 1/2 C dry red wine and 1/2 tsp hot chili flakes. Boil for about 10 minutes until reduced. Keep stirring occasionally, breaking the tomatoes into smaller pieces. NOTE: you can add salt to taste and even a couple cubes of sugar to cut the acidity. It's all up to you!
While the sauce is reducing, boil some pasta, return it to the pasta pot after draining, and toss the sauce with it.
NOTE: I've varied this by adding chopped mushrooms, shrimp, leftover sauteed chicken, you name it. Have fun! Let's face it: jar pasta sauce is always a quick fix, but it's also very satisfying (IMO) to make your own sauce. The difference in flavor is amazing and it doesn't take all day!
Buon appetito!
I found this recipe from an Italian cooking class I took years ago and whipped it up tonight. It's a great standby and a real blank canvas recipe....great on its own or ready for your improvising!
Serves 4 (or 2-3 hungry people)
In a 3-4 quart pot over medium-high heat, combine 1 chopped onion, 6 minced cloves garlic and 1 T olive oil. Stir often until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, mince or finely chop 1/4 C fresh basil leaves. Add to onion along with 1 can (28 oz) of whole, pear tomatoes with their juice. Add 1/2 C dry red wine and 1/2 tsp hot chili flakes. Boil for about 10 minutes until reduced. Keep stirring occasionally, breaking the tomatoes into smaller pieces. NOTE: you can add salt to taste and even a couple cubes of sugar to cut the acidity. It's all up to you!
While the sauce is reducing, boil some pasta, return it to the pasta pot after draining, and toss the sauce with it.
NOTE: I've varied this by adding chopped mushrooms, shrimp, leftover sauteed chicken, you name it. Have fun! Let's face it: jar pasta sauce is always a quick fix, but it's also very satisfying (IMO) to make your own sauce. The difference in flavor is amazing and it doesn't take all day!
Buon appetito!