Kittencals Oven Dried Tomatoes Recipes

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN TOMATO PASTA SAUCE AND PARMESAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Prepare the meatball recipe as directed on the recipe; transfer to a plate cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use (the meatballs may be prepared up to 1 day in advance).
• Drain the diced tomatoes over a strainer.
• Coat bottom of large heavy-bottomed pot with olive oil, heat over medium heat.
• Saute onion with bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper and crushed chili peppers for about 5-7 minutes or until the onions are transparent.
• Add in fresh garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste;mix and stir for about 2 minutes or until well combined with the onion mixture.
• Add in the wine; stir well to combine.
• Add the 2 cans crushed tomatoes (can use 3 cans if you are freezing some sauce) and the drained diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a light boil; boil for 5-8 minutes then reduce heat to low.
• Add in uncooked meatballs to the sauce (if you are adding the meatballs uncooked do not stir for 30 minutes or you may run the risk of them falling apart in the simmering sauce).
• Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3-5 hours (the longer you simmer uncovered the thicker and richer your sauce will be so don't be afraid to simmer even 6 hours!) adding more salt if desired.
• Skim off any fat that might gather on top of sauce.
• Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate (with the meatballs in the sauce) a minimum of 1 day or up to 4 days before using.
• Use as much as desired then freeze the rest for another meal, just reheat the sauce on top of the stove or heat in microwave (this will freeze well for up to 6 months).
• Note: if desired, you can bake the meatballs in the oven before adding to the sauce.

OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 225° F.
• Cut the tomatoes in half, add fresh garlic, olive oil, basil, oregano and salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread them out on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and place in the oven.
• Bake for one hour, then turn off the oven and allow the tomatoes to sit overnight in the warmth of the oven.

OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a pan with parchment; for thinnest chips, use a Silpat baking mat. Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, on pan, spaced 1/2 to 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with sugar and herbs; season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer pan to oven; dry until juices have stopped running, edges are shriveled, and pieces have shrunken slightly; timing will vary depending on the variety, ripeness, and desired degree of dryness, 1 1/2 to 6 hours. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 3 days, or frozen, for up to 6 weeks.

KITTENCAL'S CREAMY TOMATO PASTA SAUCE (VEGETARIAN OR MEAT OPTION

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat (use enough oil to cover the bottom of your pot you may need more than 1/4 cup).
• Add in onion, bell pepper and chopped sun-dried tomatoes; cook stirring for about 5-6 minutes or until softened.
• Add in garlic, chili flakes and basil; cook stirring for 2 minutes,.
• Add in tomato paste; stir for 2 minutes.
• Add in crushed and plum tomatoes with juice; bring to a simmer over medium heat stirring and breaking up the whole tomatoes with a fork.
• Reduce heat to low cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Uncover and continue to simmer over low heat for another 2 hours stirring frequently (the longer cooking/simmering time over low heat the better this sauce will be, if your sauce becomes too thick add in a little water and continue cooking).
• Season with salt and black pepper about halfway through cooking.
• At this point and before the addition of the cream you may cool the sauce and refrigerate up to 3 days.
• At the end of cooking mix in the cream starting with 1/3 cup and adding in more until you reach your desired creaminess; stir until heated through.
• Delicious!
• THE ADDITION OF SAUSAGE MEAT; in the pot brown the sausage meat with onion, bell pepper and sun-dried tomatoes until no longer pink (breaking up the meat while cooking) drain fat.
• Add in the garlic, red pepper flakes and basil; cook stirring until the meat is browned (about 7-8 minutes, or best flavor the meat should be lightly browned).
• Add in the tomato paste and continue with the recipe as stated from step# 5.

KITTENCAL'S DELICIOUS MEATY PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven heat oil, then add in the basil, oregano, chili flakes, bay leaf and onion; saute, stirring with a wooden spoon for about 4 minutes (this will release the flavors in the spices).
• Add in garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add in tomato paste and cook stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes.
• Add in ground beef and sausage meat; cook until well browned (about 10 minutes) drain any fat.
• Add in the wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring.
• Add in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, mushrooms, sugar, 2 tablespoons salt, Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 2 hours (or you can simmer for longer on low heat).
• Season with black pepper.
• Remove the bay leaf and serve over hot cooked pasta then sprinkle with lots grated Parmesan cheese.

KITTENCAL'S MARINARA PASTA SAUCE (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Add in onions, garlic and dried red pepper flakes, basil and oregano; saute for about 3-4 minutes.
• Add in the tomato paste and stir for 2-3 minutes.
• Add in the Roma tomatoes with juice and wine; simmer uncovered over low heat for 1-2 hours (I usually cook it for at least a couple of hours) stirring occasionally.
• Season with salt and pepper and add in sugar if desired.
• **NOTE** if you prefer a thinner sauce, then add in some water.

KITTENCAL'S CHILI, SIMPLE AND DELICOUS

Steps:

• In a large pot brown the ground beef with onion and green bell pepper until no longer pink; drain all fat.
• Add in garlic, oregano and chili flakes; cook stirring until browned (about 12-15 minutes, for the best flavor the meat must be slightly browned).Add in chili powder and cumin; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add in stewed tomatoes with the juice, tomato sauce and seasoned salt; bring to a boil over medium heat stirring.
• Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 1-1/2 hours stirring occasionally (can simmer longer, the long the better!).
• Stir in the beans with their liquid and continue to cook for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Ladle into bowls then top with cheddar cheese and dollup of sour cream if desired.