What i have for you today is a delicious and super simple base sauce that can be easily manipulated in your home. I normally make homemade sauce or gravy on a weekly basis in our household. It is totally no fuss. Did you know, that most sauces out there on the marketplace incorporate so much extra crap like sugar, salt and preservatives to make them last on the shelf. But you can easily make this in your own home, with simple fresh ingredients and tastes SO much better. Not only tasty, but better for you. Homemade sauce can be used in a variety of ways not just for pasta dishes. Homemade sauce can be made ahead time when you have a super busy schedule either over the stove in a crock pot.  So it’s time to get creative in the kitchen and have some fun creating your own signature style sauces. The possibilities are endless. I like to utilize various ingredients either to increase flavors, the texture and nutritional value. It’s super fun to create something delicious, in your own kitchen, while the aroma permeates throughout the whole house.  This marinara sauce barely has any cholesterol, it’s high in iron, dietary fiber, vitamin C, B6 and vitamin A. Homemade tomato sauce has many health benefits. Below is a list of why you need to make more of it.

 

 

 

Did you know, cooking tomatoes increases overall health benefits? It surely does. Just by cooking tomatoes it increases the levels of phytochemicals. And we already kmow that lycopene in tomatoes is an excellent source. Having cooked tomatoes  are low in calories and fat while supplying ample amounts of of protein and fiber. Tomatoes also contain antioxidants which help fight cell damage that may cause cancer, heart disease and other health conditions. Plus these guys are easily incorporated into your lifestyle eating plan. Tomato sauce may be added to soups, chili and other casserole dishes. So i hope you enjoy these fun facts and get you inspired to think differently about homemade sauces for overall well-being. If you happen to try this recipe i would love to hear about it. Let’s move on to the recipe shall we.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVES: 6 cups

 

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup olive oil

1 medium organic onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, smashed and minced

1 medium organically grown carrot, peeled, thinly sliced and diced (optional)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1-2 28 ounce can organic crushed tomatoes

1 tbsp brown sugar, or sweetener (opt)

1 cup filtered water

2 bay leaf

2-3 sprigs of fresh herbs (basil,parsley, or thyme)

dash sea salt, to taste

dash of black pepper, to taste

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a heavy bottom pan, medium heat, heat olive oil in the pan. Add the onions and garlic, stirring frequently, and cook until soft and fragrant; about 5-8 minutes.

 

Add the carrots and tomato paste. Let cook for about 3-5 minutes until soft. Keep stirring to prevent burning or sticking.

 

Add the crushed crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, water, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir well until combined. Bring to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer on low for about 30 minutes. Check it from time to time. Season to taste. Keep covered.

 

Lastly, add in the fresh herbs. Blend well.

 

When ready, use immediately. For storage purposes, let cool and place into the refrigerator for up to a week. For freezer, up to six months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Calories 214; Total Fat 8.5g; Sodium 145mg; Total Carbohydrates 34g; Dietary Fiber 10.5g; Sugars 20g; Protein 5.4g; vitamin A 83%; calcium 11%; vitamin C 11% and iron 40%. A no cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, high in iron, very high in vitamin C, B6 and vitamin A type of dish.

 

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