A bouquet garni is used in this recipe to create layers of flavor. I developed it for anyone who wants a rich sauce without meat. It is simple to make and can be modified to fit anyone's taste.
When in season use fresh tomatoes to replace the canned ones. About 10 medium to large tomatoes will be enough. See the tips and modifications....
Makes 4 cups
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 2:15
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 large onion, sliced
4 clove garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, diced
2 cups chicken stock
Kosher salt, to taste
For the bouquet garni:
1 bay leaf
½ tsp sprig of fresh thyme
3-4 fresh parsley stems
8-10 black peppercorns, crushed
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300°F.
Tie the Bouquet garni ingredients into a cheesecloth sack using a piece of kitchen twine.
In a heavy, oven-safe Dutch oven, heat the oil.
Add the onions and garlic and sauté for a few minutes until the onions are golden brown.
Add all the tomatoes, the stock and the bouquet garni.
Bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer the pot to the oven. Simmer in the oven, partially covered, for two hours.
Tips:
If using fresh tomatoes:
To make peeling the tomatoes a breeze place them in enough boiling water to submerge for 3-4 minutes. Remove, cool and peel.
The seeds can be bitter. Quarter the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Roughly chop and continue with recipe.
Be careful not to brown the garlic, it will ruin the flavor.
If you don't have fresh herbs for the bouquet garni use about 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
Make it your own:
Add your choice of mushrooms, red, green or yellow bell peppers, celery, carrots, about 1/4-1/2 cup each either sliced or diced.
Great base for meat sauce. Add any combination up to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, ground pork sausage, Italian sausage with or without casing or make meatballs. Cook meat completely then add to the sauce.
Serving suggestions:
Serve over your favorite pasta, I used bucatini, a thick spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the center. The name comes from Italian: buco, meaning "hole". Bowtie or penne pasta would also be a great choice.
Use for a sauce over chicken or pork chops
Serve over rice
Thin with 2 more cups chicken broth, serve as a soup with croutons and parmesan cheese.