Hearty Marinara Sauce

Just when I think I have used up almost all of my tomatoes, magically more come my way. 🙂 That’s OK. I love them and I will keep taking them for as long as I can, even if it means I need to get creative on how to use them all up. 🙂 One way to use up a lot of tomatoes is to make a sauce. So I did. I made a rich, thick and hearty marinara sauce.

Hearty Marinara Sauce

Just like anything that has been around for a long time, there are so many different versions of a good, rich, thick and hearty marinara sauce. This is but one of an endless array of recipes. But it is a very good recipe too.

3-4 lbs tomatoes, diced

1 onion, diced

2-3 TBSP olive oil

1-1 1/2 TBSP garlic

1 can tomato paste

1-2 TBSP fresh herbs, like oregano, thyme, & basil

salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup dry red wine

1-2 TBSP balsamic vinegar

Get a large pot or skillet very hot, add the oil, then add onions and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the onions start to soften.

I mixed my tomato paste, wine and balsamic vinegar and seasonings together. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste mixture.

Mix in thoroughly and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to cook for about 30-4o minutes, stirring occasionally. I wanted a nice, thick, rustic sauce, so I like to keep the tomato chunks in my sauce, but if you like sauce that is less chunky, just puree the sauce to your liking. Add the fresh herbs right at the end of the cooking process and blend in thoroughly. If you are using dried herbs, you can mix them in with the tomato paste mixture.

The sauce is ready to use after it has all been mixed together and cooked down, or you can store it and use it later. I actually made it ahead of time for something I will make next week, to celebrate Janet’s birthday. She will actually be re-gifted with her own gift to me, but in a different way. 🙂

I still have more tomatoes to use too. I think I will add some more sauce to my sauce. 🙂

Life is short. Make the most out of everyday and live life to the fullest. Enjoy all the little things in life. Have a great day and make everyday great. ‘Til next time.