Whilst for speed it can be beneficial to buy a Tomato Sauce I do prefer to make my own and usually use the microwave. I sweat 4 chopped Onions and add 2 x 14oz cans of Chopped Tomatoes, a splash of Red Wine and Seasoning. (If you want to use fresh Tomatoes then you will need about 2lbs skinned, seeded and chopped).
There are a host of ingredients that can be added to enhance the flavour – Crushed Garlic, Herbs like Marjoram, Oregano, Basil, and Fresh Chilli. You may add Ketchup or Tomato Paste or Passatta to enrich oh and a little sugar is useful to counter the acidity. Once you have decided on your preference a host of meals come to mind.
- By reducing the sauce you can spread it on Pizza bases.
- Add to fried Minced Beef to make a Bolognese Sauce,
- To fried minced Lamb layer in a dish with cooked Aubergine Slices and top with White Sauce for a Moussaka.
- To cubed Lamb rolled in flour, fried to seal, add chopped Green Sweet Peppers, some Paprika, Marjoram and your Sauce – braise in the oven for about 1½ hours for a Goulash.
- Add to Meatballs (bought or home-made) serve with Rice or Pasta
- To your Sauce add sautéed sliced Mushrooms, Fresh Tarragon and White Wine and a large spoon of the Sunday Roast Gravy – to make a Chasseur Sauce to go with Steak.
- Serve with breaded Escalope’s of Chicken, Turkey, Veal or Pork.
- Add to Cubed Beef floured, fried to seal. Add a few cloves, a little Cinnamon, some Red Wine, chopped Carrots and braise for about 2 hours to make a Greek Stifado.
- Serve with Baked or pan-fried Fish
- Add it to a collation of Beans and cooked gently for a Bean Stew. Add spices or herbs according to taste.
- Add Courgettes, Aubergines and Peppers, Garlic for a Ratatouille.
So there you have just a few ideas to start you off. Store your Sauce in the fridge or freeze in batches for future uses.
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