Cousin Vinnies Tomato Sauce Recipes

COUSIN VINNIE'S TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim the stems from the tomatoes but leave on the skin.
• Put the tomatoes, unpeeled garlic, peeled onion, and the trimmed carrot in a roasting pan.
• Roast the vegetables at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let sit in the hot oven until the vegetables are cool enough to handle, about 1/2 to 1 hour, depending on your oven.
• Squeeze the pulp out of the tomatoes into a large pot and discard the skins. Pour any juice that accumulated in the roasting pan into the pot.
• Put the pot on the stove on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins into a blender, cut up the onion and carrot into large chunks and add them to the blender. Also add the parsley, basil and oregano.
• Blend until smooth, adding some of the measured wine as needed to make the mixture thin enough to blend. Add the spices and blend well.
• When the mixture is ready, add it all to the pot, and add any of the measured wine that is left.
• When the sauce reaches a boil, turn it down to a simmer and let it sit all day, stirring occasionally, or until it reaches the desired consistency.
• For canning: Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to each pint jar, then add the tomato sauce, leaving 1/2 inch of space. Clean the rims, then put on new (unused) flat lids and rings.
• Add the amount of water recommended for your canner into the canner, place the jars in the canner and seal the lid.
• Follow the manufacturer's directions to process at 10 pounds for 15 minutes (for elevations up to 1000 feet). (If you don't have the manufacturer's directions then I strongly suggest you freeze your sauce instead. Following the proper directions is a must for safe canning.) Allow your canner to cool naturally, not by running it under cold water.
• Check the seals on the jars before storing. Any that didn't seal should be refrigerated and used promptly.

SIMPLE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and simmer covered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.