Special Tomato Sauce Recipes

HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Plunge whole tomatoes in boiling water until skin starts to peel, about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in ice bath. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then remove peels and squeeze out seeds.
• Chop 8 tomatoes and puree them in a blender or food processor until smooth. Chop remaining 2 tomatoes and set aside.
• Heat butter and oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic; cook and stir until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Pour in pureed tomatoes, then stir in chopped tomatoes, wine, basil, and Italian seasoning. Place celery stalks and bay leaf in the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Stir in tomato paste; simmer for an additional 2 hours. Discard celery and bay leaf and serve.

SPECIAL TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together (except parsley) and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Top with fresh Parsley.

BAKED ZITI WITH SPECIAL TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• QUICK TOMATO SAUCE:
• Make this first; heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Cook the sausages until begining to brown, about 3 minutes.
• Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more.
• Add the tomatoes, thyme and jelly or preserves and bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Remove and sicard the sprig of thyme.
• Stir in the seasoning and season with pepper, to taste.
• Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 dayse or freeze up to 2 months. The yield is 5 cups.
• ZITI:.
• Preheat oven to 400ºF.
• Cook the ziti according to pkg directions.
• Drain.
• Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, cubed mozzarella, half of the Parmesan cheese, black pepper and red pepper flakes.
• Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9x13" baking dish.
• Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
• Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes.
• Serve at once.