Easy Peasy Marinara Sauce

Step 1. Grab Your car keys.
Step 2. Drive to the grocery store.
Step 3. Buy a jar of prepared marinara sauce.
Step 4. Drive home.
Step 5. Eat heated bottled marinara sauce.
Step 6. Sit back and enjoy the preservatives, additives and chemicals you can't pronounce as they work through your body.

OR

You could make this easy homemade marinara sauce that I've been cooking for years. You can use diced canned tomatoes when tomatoes are out of season and fresh tomatoes in the summer time.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh tomatoes(seeded and diced)*
1/2 tsp oregano**
1/2 tsp basil**
1/2 tsp parsley**
1/2 tsp dried onion flakes**
1/8 tsp garlic powder**
1 tsp packed brown sugar
2 tsp Parmesan cheese
1/2 bay leaf
salt & pepper(to taste)
1/4 cup water


Process

1. Place tomatoes and 1/4 cup of water in the food processor and pulse until you achieve the consistency that you enjoy, chunky or smooth. My family and I prefer middle of the road. If you don't have a food processor, just smash 'em with a potato masher.

2. Place processed tomatoes in small sauce pan and add the remaining ingredients.

3. Bring the sauce to a simmer, cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes.

4. Serve over pasta, chicken Parmesan, or anything else that suits your fancy, be sure to remove the bay leaf or yuck!


* May substitute a 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes.
** When using fresh herbs, use 2-3 times the amount listed, to taste.

This recipe will serve 3-4 folks. If you need more, just double or triple the recipe. Buon appetito!

Be well, eat well, love well & live long!