jeannen.com | crucible of ennui

Dec 9 2012

Whelp. I've gone off road. Boppin to the beat to my own band. Throwing caution to the wind and making my own red sauce. I’ve stayed kinda true to my Grandpapa’s recipe (from memory and a partial ingredient list). AND I like to think that I maybe tightened things up a bit during the years. But now I’m putting on my big girl apron and making my own perfect red sauce.

I loved my Papa. Oodles. He took me to see Grease when it came out and he always told me I was Number One Grandchild. As he got older he lost his taste for spice and salt and unfortunately it affected his cooking. I love ya, Papa, but its the truth. But he is absolutely responsible for the base of all the Italian cooking I do.

LET’S START WITH BACON!!!
Wait. Before I go there, lets step back a bit. I felt greatness upon me this morning, truth be told. Okay, forward. Ingredient list.

Package pancetta (I get mine from Trader Joe’s)
3/4 cup diced red onion (it’s what I had on hand diced, I’m sure yellow would be yum)
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Recipe
1 teaspoon oregano
One 6 lbs. 6 oz. can of diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup red wine (cause I was drinking some while cooking)
Two dashes Tapitio sauce
Pinch of sugar
Salt and pepper
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

Back to the BACON!!!
Cook it up till crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove and set aside. Throw in the onions into the bacon fat and sauté until barely translucent.

Add in garlic and stir around. Then herbs. Then diced tomato and tomato paste. Then all the rest.

At this point I remembered that I had a food mill and could have smoothed things out. Not to worry, I used the blender and gave everything a whirl in batches till smooth and returned back to the pot.

Throw the bacon back in because yum. And that’s it. All that’s left is simmer simmer simmer. You can meat to heavy it up a bit. Add some mushrooms. Whatever you want. Be free.

And drink some wine! I picked up this bottle at Trader Joe’s for $7. Bam.