Rustic Italian Kitchen Tomato Sauce
This sublime Rustic Italian Kitchen Tomato Sauce is a staple in countless Italian households, celebrating the vibrant flavors of fresh ingredients. Adapted from Mario Batali's 'Simple Italian Cooking', this sauce is perfect for enhancing a variety of dishes such as stuffed flank steak or the iconic Timpano di Maccheroni. Its rich texture and aromatic notes come from a careful blend of sautéed onions, garlic, and thyme, topped off with hand-crushed tomatoes. Enjoy the essence of Italy right in your kitchen!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (none)
Spanish onion
1 (chopped into 1/4 inch dice)
Garlic cloves
4 (peeled and thinly sliced)
Fresh thyme leaves
3 tablespoons (chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme))
Medium carrot
1/2 (finely shredded)
Peeled whole tomatoes
2 (28 ounce cans) (crushed by hand, juices reserved)
Salt
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add the chopped Spanish onion and thinly sliced garlic. Sauté for about 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes soft and light golden brown.
3
Stir in the chopped fresh thyme (or dried thyme) and finely shredded carrot. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the carrot is tender and mixed well.
4
Pour in the hand-crushed peeled tomatoes along with their juices. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until it thickens to a consistency similar to that of hot cereal.
6
Taste the sauce and season with salt as needed before serving it hot over your favorite pasta, or use it in other dishes.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic Italian Kitchen Tomato Sauce?
It is a staple Italian household sauce celebrating fresh ingredients, adapted from Mario Batali's 'Simple Italian Cooking'.
Who inspired this recipe?
This recipe is adapted from Mario Batali's 'Simple Italian Cooking'.
What are the primary flavor components?
The sauce features aromatic notes from sautéed onions, garlic, thyme, and finely shredded carrots blended with hand-crushed tomatoes.
How much olive oil is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
What type of onion should I use?
A Spanish onion chopped into 1/4 inch dice is recommended.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The recipe calls for 4 garlic cloves that are peeled and thinly sliced.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of dried thyme for the 3 tablespoons of fresh chopped thyme leaves.
What role does the carrot play in this sauce?
The finely shredded carrot is sautéed to add texture and a subtle sweetness that balances the tomatoes.
What kind of tomatoes are best?
The recipe uses two 28-ounce cans of peeled whole tomatoes.
How should the tomatoes be processed?
The tomatoes should be crushed by hand with their juices reserved.
What size saucepan is required?
A 3-quart saucepan is recommended for preparing this sauce.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the onion and garlic for 8-10 minutes until the onion is soft and light golden brown.
When do I add the carrot and thyme?
Add the chopped thyme and shredded carrot after the onions have turned light golden brown.
How long do the carrot and thyme cook before adding tomatoes?
They should cook for an additional 5 minutes until the carrot is tender.
Do I need to boil the sauce?
Yes, after adding the tomatoes, bring the mixture to a gentle boil before reducing the heat.
What is the simmering time?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes.
What consistency should the finished sauce have?
The sauce should thicken to a consistency similar to that of hot cereal.
When should I season the sauce with salt?
Taste the sauce after it has thickened and season with salt as needed before serving.
Is this sauce suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this sauce is vegetarian-friendly as it contains only vegetables, herbs, and oil.
Can I use this sauce for pasta?
Absolutely, it is designed to be served hot over your favorite pasta.
What other dishes work well with this sauce?
It is perfect for stuffed flank steak or the iconic Timpano di Maccheroni.
What heat setting is used for simmering?
Once the sauce reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low to let it simmer.
Should the saucepan be covered?
No, the sauce should simmer uncovered to allow it to thicken properly.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: olive oil, onion, garlic, thyme, carrot, tomatoes, and salt.
How much thyme is used?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh thyme leaves.
What is the preparation for the carrot?
The carrot should be finely shredded.
How do I know when the onions are ready?
They are ready when they become soft and reach a light golden brown color.
What is the primary oil used in this recipe?
Extra virgin olive oil is used for its shimmering quality and flavor.
Is this considered an authentic Italian recipe?
Yes, it is a rustic style sauce that is a staple in countless Italian households.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The tags include tomato sauce, italian cuisine, vegetarian, and homemade sauce.