Marinara Sauce

I really love making this sauce.  It's fast and very tasty. I also like it because it's chunky which I happen to prefer.  However, you could replace the whole tomatoes with crushed tomatoes for a much less chunky version. Although I kind of enjoy crushing the tomatoes myself.  I usually stick my hand in the can and crush away.  It kind of reminds me of the "I Love Lucy" episode when they are in Italy and Lucy crushes grapes with her feet.  That's what I should do when I make giant batches.  I kid. 

This sauce is super delicious all by itself over pasta.  Or you could add meat. Sometimes I add 1 lb ground turkey and a little ricotta cheese to it.  It's a great alternative. Okay enough blabbing here it is:

Marinara Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 tsp fresh basil, finely chopped

2 tsp fresh oregano, finely chopped

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/4 cup dry chardonnay wine

1 280z can whole tomatoes, chopped 

1 tbsp chicken base (or whatever kind you prefer...I like "Better than Bouillon")

1 tsp sugar

Heat the olive oil in a large pan.  Add in the garlic and onions and saute until soft but not brown.  Add in the herbs and cook for 1 minute.  Next add in the wine, tomatoes, chicken base, and sugar.  Mix well and bring to a boil for 10 minutes.

**Okay a couple of things about this.  First, I have used dried herbs and a combinations of dry and fresh.  For example I have used fresh basil and dried oregano.  I know that this is not the best and fresh is always better but dried herbs are a lot cheaper.  In the summer I usually use all fresh because I grow them.  If you use dry only use a 1/2 tsp instead of 2 tsp.  Second, when you chop the whole tomatoes you will have a lot of liquid left over.  If you like a thicker sauce then don't add any.  If you like it a little thinner than feel free to add as much as you want. Finally, this freezes incredibly well so feel free to double or even triple the amount.  I have actually made this recipe in a giant pot and made 5 times the amount.  That's when I should put them in a bin and crush the tomatoes with my feet.  

So sorry that I don't have any pictures of the sauce so here's a picture of Bradley instead.  

I also discovered this great blog that hosts "Tasty Tuesday".  So to check out more yumminess go here. 

Have a great day!!