Rustic Marinara Sauce
By
Tam D
@methodmaven
1
★★★★★ 2 votes5
Ingredients
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2 Tbspolive oil
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28 ozcan tomato puree
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2 tspbeef or chicken base or bouillon (optional)
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2 - 15 ozcans italian style stewed tomatoes, diced or sliced
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2 Tbspdried minced onion
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2 tspdried minced garlic
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2 tspdried basil, crushed in hand
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2 tspdried ground fennel
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1 tspdried thyme, crushed in hand
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1 tspdried rosemary, crushed in hand
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1/2 tspdried oregano, crushed in hand
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1 tspkosher or sea salt
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1/2 tspfresh ground black pepper
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1/3-1/2 cgood burgundy wine
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1/2 cwater or stock
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·mushrooms (optional)
How to Make Rustic Marinara Sauce
- In a heavy 3 qt. saucepan, over medium heat, pre-warm the pan and the olive oil, while you're opening the tomato cans.
- Pour the tomato puree into the hot olive oil, and let it "fry" for a minute, stirring occasionally. You'll be surprised how much richness this little extra step adds to your sauce.
- Blend in the beef or chicken base now. (This is optional for vegetarian)
- Add the onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. The amounts given are approximate; use more or less to your taste. Allow the puree and seasoning to bubble together for a minute. Then stir in the stewed tomatoes* and the wine. (You can leave out the wine, but don't!) Swish the water around in the cans to get all the tomato-goodness, and add the water to the pot.
- If you like to add mushrooms and/or other vegetables to your sauce, add them here. We're Italian purists ;) so we don't add anything to our sauce.
- Bring sauce to a soft boil, then cover, and reduce the heat to medium low or low. Allow the sauce to simmer a minimum of 30 minutes. (I prefer an hour).
- *NOTES: The diced stewed tomatoes are much nicer, but if what I have on hand is the thick-sliced style I prefer to break them up in hand as they go into the pot, so we don't end up with huge chunks of tomato.
- This recipe makes a double batch, enough for two casseroles (like my meatball sandwich casserole), or to serve a crowd.
I like to work smart, so I make enough that I can put half in the frig or freezer for a quick-fix meal later.