I have mentioned before that I am an imprecise cook. Even so, I will try to share some of my favorite things to make that feed a crowd of kids. One thing is homemade tomato sauce. If you buy jarred sauce because you think it would be too hard to make it yourself, you're in for a surprise. It is so easy, and when you make it yourself you know exactly what is in it -- just healthy ingredients! It is also tastes a’ lot better and is cheaper.
Homemade Pasta Sauce
In a large stockpot, sauté 1-2 diced large onions and lots of minced garlic in a few Tablespoons olive oil on medium heat, stirring frequently, until onion is clear (the jarred, minced garlic makes it simple). As an optional step, you can add more vegetables your family likes -- chopped green pepper, grated carrots, zucchini, eggplant, sliced black olives -- use your imagination, just add harder veggies first and softer veggies last.
Add a #10 can of crushed tomatoes to the onion, garlic, veggie mix, stir and heat gently.
Brown and drain the grease from 1-2 lbs of ground beef (meat is optional, depending on what type of sauce you are going for), stir into tomato sauce.
Add salt and pepper and seasonings to taste. I sprinkle in Italian Seasoning mix from a bulk jar; it contains marjoram, thyme, rosemary, savory, sage, oregano, and basil. Let sauce simmer gently for a few minutes, then turn to LOW. It can be on the stove for a short while, or allowed to cook longer, becoming more flavorful, just stir occasionally.
Use this sauce in any of your favorite pasta creations, and freeze the rest.
Peace, Hope
Homemade Pasta Sauce
In a large stockpot, sauté 1-2 diced large onions and lots of minced garlic in a few Tablespoons olive oil on medium heat, stirring frequently, until onion is clear (the jarred, minced garlic makes it simple). As an optional step, you can add more vegetables your family likes -- chopped green pepper, grated carrots, zucchini, eggplant, sliced black olives -- use your imagination, just add harder veggies first and softer veggies last.
Add a #10 can of crushed tomatoes to the onion, garlic, veggie mix, stir and heat gently.
Brown and drain the grease from 1-2 lbs of ground beef (meat is optional, depending on what type of sauce you are going for), stir into tomato sauce.
Add salt and pepper and seasonings to taste. I sprinkle in Italian Seasoning mix from a bulk jar; it contains marjoram, thyme, rosemary, savory, sage, oregano, and basil. Let sauce simmer gently for a few minutes, then turn to LOW. It can be on the stove for a short while, or allowed to cook longer, becoming more flavorful, just stir occasionally.
Use this sauce in any of your favorite pasta creations, and freeze the rest.
Peace, Hope
