A Simple Marinara Sauce

Marinara Sauce This is my own take on a recipe passed down in my family for many generations. This is a very simple recipe, with a very delicate sauce, which yields very strong flavors. If you don't like hot, then you can do without the red pepper flakes.

• 2 Cans Crushed Tomatoes (I prefer Tuttoroso, the one without basil if you can find it, though Red Pack works too)
• 1 Can San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes (Can substitute with Tutoroso or red pack peeled tomatoes if you can't find any San Marzano)
• Handful of Fresh Basil
• 1 Clove Garlic, peeled
• Handful of dried basil (Generally around 2 tablespoons, maybe a little more if you want a stronger basil taste)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Red Pepper Flakes, to taste (I like to use a lot, a teaspoon to start, and then up to two tablespoons more as it's cooking)
• Olive Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Find a good southern Italian olive oil, preferably from the Calabria region. I'm quite partial to this one http://ift.tt/1Jreux7 )

Coat the bottom of a big pot with olive oil, enough to saute the peeled clove of garlic, which you'll add in once the oil has come to temperature, along with a sprinkle of red pepper. The stove should be on medium high heat. Watch to make sure the red pepper flakes do not burn. Brown the garlic on all sides, and then using tongs or a spoon remove the garlic from the pot. Be careful of the hot oil, as it could splatter and burn you.

Pour the two cans of crushed tomatoes in, and then break up the peeled tomatoes and pour them into the pot too.

Then add the dried basil, sugar, and red paper, and stir occasionally.

Turn the heat up to high, and watch the sauce carefully. About 15-30 seconds before it comes to a boil, add in the fresh basil, and stir. The second the sauce comes to a boil, immediately take it off the heat. Take the extra virgin olive oil and lightly drizzle it over the sauce. Keep the bottle of extra virgin olive oil, and the red pepper out and available for people to add to their dish as they like.

Enjoy

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bon appetit