Basic Tomato Sauce

A big, simmering pot of tomato sauce on the stove — exuding a luscious, bright aroma — is where it all started for me. This recipe is adapted loosely — and vegetarianized — from my mother's tomato sauce; a sauce which made me fall in love with cooking and all its potential. I have fond memories of sitting on the counter, dipping saltine crackers straight into the pot — the absolute best after school snack imaginable.  

This tomato sauce is delicious, simple to prepare, and can easily be tweaked to accommodate seasonal offerings. Try doubling or even tripling the recipe to have on hand for pastas, pizzas, or as a base for soups  — I even use it as a base for enchilada sauce. 

It freezes beautifully — I try to keep a couple canning jars full in the freezer for quick weeknight meals.

Recipe

While I typically think of this recipe as a fall into winter sauce  — it calls for canned tomatoes rather than fresh, root vegetables, dried spices, etc. —  it can readily be adapted to use seasonal ingredients. I could see a version with fresh tomatoes, fresh spices, a dry white wine and seasonal vegetables. 

            

             2 (35oz) cans whole plum tomatoes with juice

1/4 cup olive oil  

1 yellow onion, diced

1 carrot, grated 

1 cup crimini mushrooms, sliced 

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/3 cup dry red wine 

2 tablespoons tomato paste  

1 bay leaf — fresh or dry  

1 teaspoon oregano — fresh or dry 

2 teaspoons dried basil 

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg — fresh or dry 

pinch of red pepper flakes — optional 

1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest — optional

1 bullion cube — optional

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

salt to taste 

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy bottom pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, garlic, and mushrooms. Saute, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 1o minutes.
Add the tomatoes, crush with a spatula. 
Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. 
Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally

Makes about 6 cups