Saturday, January 3, 2009

Giada's Simple Marinara Sauce

Placed here for safe keeping. This is the recipe that Giada De Laurentiis uses on her show (over and over). She says you can freeze it for up to 6 months!

6 cups (change servings and units)
* 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, chopped
* 1 stalk celery, chopped
* 1 carrot, chopped
* sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
* 2 (32 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
* 4-6 basil leaves
* 2 dried bay leaves
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)

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.