The last part of the year required much faith and strength of character for many of us. The media bombarded us with far more negative than positive news. While it is important to be aware of what is going on in the world, it is also easy to lose sight of the goodness right under our eyes.
It has been a long year… then we almost went over a cliff. I don’t know about you but a meal shared with family or friends, even with just one other person, now that’s goodness. We can talk about the news, we can also laugh and inspire each other to maintain a good sense of humor about life in general. If we made it to this table, than all is well in this moment. Let’s spice it up even more with a Mediterranean touch. This is a great cold weather sauce too. The thermometer reached -29° here this morning. Let’s eat!
First, you may want to review an earlier post pertaining to processing tomatoes with the Squeezo, if you feel you need a reminder. Here is a brief overview: Strain the tomatoes in the Squeezo Strainer to remove skin and seeds. If canned tomatoes are used, put through the Squeezo Strainer for de-pulping and de-seeding. This recipe will serve 4 moderate portions. Adjust quantities to your needs.
Ingredients
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced parsley
1/4 cup minced basil
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups tomato purée
Salt and pepper to taste
1 small cinnamon stick
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp wine vinegar
Preparation
Heat oil and sauté onion, parsley an basil until soft. Add tomato purée, salt, pepper and cinnamon. Cook slowly until well blended and thick. Add sugar, dissolved in vinegar. Stir and simmer 2 minutes longer. Remove cinnamon stick. That’s it!
The Sicilians serve this flavorful sauce with fish, which is a staple in their diet. You will find it delicious with other seafood as well. I’ve tried it with shrimp on angel hair pasta and had to go back for seconds!
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#1 by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on 01/03/2013 - 9:05 pm
Cinnamon is one of my favorite “secret” additions to a tomato sauce:) This one looks lovely, warm or cold weather, for us it would be fabulous after our colder winter days here!! xxxx
#2 by Granny on 01/04/2013 - 11:55 am
I guess the secret is out! ha! ha! Good to see you. We had a doozy here yesterday, with -29 in the morning. Tomato sauce and pasta can sure warm you up. It is one of the best comfort foods!
#3 by The Flying T Ranch on 01/06/2013 - 6:39 am
Thanks for the wonderful, re-centering post. An Italian officer I once worked with once said something to the effect of, “The French say a day without wine is a day without sunshine, but the truth is a day without pasta is a day without sunshine.”
#4 by Granny on 01/06/2013 - 2:35 pm
You are so welcome. To be honest, I did not realize this post could be re-centering. Just goes to show, you never know what message the reader will receive, even from a recipe. I know I receive many unexpected and inspiring messages when I browse the blogosphere. Good to see you, Flying T Ranch. Have a wonderful new year.