Classic Tomato Sauce

Tags: Italian Cuisine, tomatoes

A Little Personal History:

Classic home made tomato sauce takes time to make but oh so worth it if you’ve got the tine. If not, check out our hybrid tomato sauce.

Description:

Tomato Sauce is a simple pasta sauce that works well for everyday meals, even with picky eaters. It is best served hot at the table, to be poured over lightly cooked pasta. Shredded mozzarella cheese may be added on top.

Categories:	Sauce
Servings:	2 quarts
Time:	– Preparation:   1 hour – Cooking:         2 ½ hours
Equipment:	Cutting board and sharp knife, medium mixing bowl, 2 (13 by 9-inch) pans, basting brush, food mill or sieve and mortar or spatula, glass jar and top
Difficulty:	Medium

Ingredients:

• 25 Roma tomatoes (halved and seeded)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/3 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup finely diced onion
• ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley (minced)
• 1 Tbs minced garlic
• 2 Tbs brown sugar
• 4 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves (finely chopped)
• 4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (finely chopped)
• 4 teaspoon fresh basil (finely chopped)
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 3 bay leaves

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. On cutting board, cut tomatoes in half. Over small bowl, seed tomatoes. Strain through sieve and save any tomato juices to bowl.
3. In mixing bowl, blend together olive oil, salt, pepper, onion, parsley, garlic, sugar, herbs and any tomato juices saved after seeding.
4. In pans place tomato halves cut side up. Completely baste tomatoes with oil/seasoning blend.
5. Bake tomatoes for 2 hours. Check the tomatoes after 1 hour and turn down the heat if they seem to be cooking too quickly.
6. After 2 hours, turn the oven to 400 degrees and bake another 30 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and process tomatoes through a food mill on medium dye setting over a large saucepan. Discard skins. Alternatively, use a mortar or spatula and press through a metal sieve (this can take some time and muscle)
8. Add white wine, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally with wooden spoon. Reduce heat to low and, stirring occasionally, cook for 10 minutes or until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
9. Remove bay leaves and transfer to glass jar(s). Tightly seal and refrigerate till needed.

Advanced Preparation:

• Everything can be prepared in advance and refrigerated till needed.

Tips, Notes, and Variations:

• If it doesn’t thicken to your liking and your short on time, stir in 2-3 Tbs. of tomato paste.
• Also see: Hybrid Tomato Sauce