Miranda Magagnini's Basic Tomato Sauce

Name: Miranda Magagnini's Basic Tomato Sauce
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Italian olive oil (see note); 1 medium onion; 3 shallots; 2 cloves garlic; 1 dried Italian hot pepper (peperoncino); 1 28-ounce can Italian peeled tomatoes; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 10 grinds black pepper; 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (in winter use frozen if available); 1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

By Nancy Harmon Jenkins

Total Time: 1 hour
Rating: 5(8)
Comments: Read comments

Featured in: ONE BROOKLYN STREET, MANY ETHNIC FLAVORS

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

½cup Italian olive oil (see note)
1medium onion
3shallots
2cloves garlic
1dried Italian hot pepper (peperoncino)
128-ounce can Italian peeled tomatoes
1teaspoon kosher salt
10grinds black pepper
¼cup chopped fresh basil (in winter use frozen if available)
⅓cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Peel and chop separately the onion, shallots and garlic. Set aside.
Step 2
Heat oil in heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add a few pieces (about 1 teaspoon) chopped onion to the oil. When they sizzle, add the remaining chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are transparent (approximately 10 minutes).
Step 3
Add shallots and peperoncino and stir well. Cook an additional 5 minutes, or until the mixture starts to turn golden-yellow.
Step 4
Add minced garlic. Stir well. Cook briefly, for about 2 minutes.
Step 5
Add liquid from tomatoes. With your fingers, break up tomatoes in can - or pulse in food processor until coarsely chopped. Add tomatoes to saucepan.
Step 6
When mixture starts to simmer, add salt, black pepper and chopped basil. Stir well. Simmer, uncovered, 20 to 30 minutes. When done, turn off heat and stir in parsley before serving. Pass a bowl of freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese.

Tip

It is not necessary to use extra-virgin olive oil, which sometimes has too heavy a taste for this sauce. Use a good quality olive oil that is lighter in color.