Joe's "No-Fail" Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 C. olive oil or vegetable oil
- 4-5 small cloves of garlic, peeled and halved
- 2 6 oz. cans of tomato paste
- 2 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce (Contadina or Hunt's work best)
- 8 oz. water
- 1/3 tsp. thyme
- 1/3 tsp. ground sage
- 1/3 tsp. marjoram
- 1/3 tsp. oregano
- 1/3 tsp. dried sweet basil
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. parsley flakes
- 1/3 - 1/4 C. sugar
- 2 large bay leaves, fresh work best
Directions
In a large saucepan heat the oil at medium temperature. Add garlic, cook until deep brown in color. Remove garlic and discard. Add tomato paste. Cook tomato paste, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the oil turns a deep orange color. Blend in the tomato sauce & water, add the spices and sugar. Cover and cook at medium low heat for one hour, stirring the sauce every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent sticking. After one hour remove and discard the bay leaves. Sauce is now done and can be used right away on your favorite pasta, but best results are obtained by simmering on low heat for 4-5 hours before serving.When serving, if you prefer THICK sauce, serve as is. If a thinner sauce is preferred, blend in 4 to 6 ounces of water and reheat on low.Serve with a pound of your favorite pasta, ravioli,
etc. and enjoy!I like to make this early in the morning and add pre-cooked meatballs, ground beef, sausage, chicken breasts or hard bolied eggs to it, then let the flavors combine over the next 4-5 hours. For a smoother taste add 2-4 ounces of red wine right after adding the spices.For those persons on a sugar restrictive diet, in place of the sugar add 2 large raw carrots cleaned and halved.
