italian essentials: rossa sauce

28 Pinches 15 Photos
Wichita, KS
Updated on May 6, 2021

This is a tomato-based sauce where the spices are adjusted to compliment poultry dishes. For example, this is my goto sauce for Chicken Parmesan. Or sauté up a nice chicken breast, slice and place it on homemade pasta, and cover with this sauce. My Aunt Josephine had her own version of this sauce, but it is lost to time. This is my version. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

prep time 15 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Stove Top
yield Several

Ingredients

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 2 tablespoons sweet butter, unsalted
  • 1 tablespoon italian olive oil, extra virgin variety
  • 1/2 medium yellow onions, small dice
  • 1/2 medium red bell pepper, small dice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced, or thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 small can
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 large can, with juices
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dehydrated onions, coarsely ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, kosher variety, fine grind
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 - 2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes
  • OPTIONAL ITEMS
  • a bit of fresh clover honey, for sweetness

How To Make italian essentials: rossa sauce

  • Step 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • Step 2
    To make this recipe, you will need a saucepan large enough to hold all the ingredients.
  • Step 3
    About the Garlic If you want to do the garlic the Italian way, remove the skin, then take a razor blade and cut the garlic so thin that it almost melts when it hits the hot pan… Just like in the movie, Goodfellas.
  • Step 4
    Can This Sauce Be Frozen? Yep, it can. Just place it into freezer bags (Ziploc), squeeze out as much air as you can, seal and toss in the fridge. If properly sealed it should keep for 4 – 6 months. Sealing portions should reflect your eating habits. If you always cook for 2 then there is nothing wrong with freezing double portions; conversely, if you are cooking for yourself, then single portions are in order.
  • Step 5
    Working with Canned Tomatoes Early on, I wrote a couple of posts on how to pick the best canned tomatoes, and how to work with them If you have an interest, here they are: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/soup/soup-other-soup/cooking-class-the-best-canned-tomatoes.html?r=7 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/sauce-spread-other-sauce-spread/removing-the-bitter-taste-from-canned-tomatoes.html?r=13
  • Step 6
    Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • Step 7
    Place the oil and butter into a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Step 8
    When the foaming subsides, give the pan a swirl, then add the onions and red pepper. Cook until they begin to soften, but not brown, about 3 – 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 – 40 seconds.
  • Step 9
    Add the tomato sauce and stir for about 30 seconds.
  • Step 10
    Add the crushed tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, the dry spices, salt and pepper. Stir and bring up to a simmer. Continue to simmer, partially covered, until it begins to thicken, about 20 – 30 minutes.
  • Step 11
    While simmering do a tasting for proper seasoning.
  • Step 12
    The onions and red pepper will give the sauce a chunky consistency, if however you want it smoother, give it a few whirls in a blender or food processor. FYI: Aunt Jo always left it chunky.
  • Step 13
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • So Yummy
    Step 14
    Use with your favorite chicken dish, or store in the fridge or freezer until needed. Enjoy.
  • Stud Muffin
    Step 15
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

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