Simple Tomato Sauce
Source: Giada De Laurentiis
Ingredients
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped (I used 2)
Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 (32 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
4-6 basil leaves
2 dried bay leaves
4 TBSPS unsalted butter, optional
Directions
~ 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 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 TBSP at a time to round out the flavors.
~ Add 1/2 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.
