Rustic Spaghetti Sauce with Meat

I am facing the reality that I planted too many tomato plants this year, and they are coming off the vine like you will not believe. I have made salsas, fresh tomatoes with soy sauce and fresh ground pepper, tomatoes on every salad, you name. Well, don’t name it because there is one sauce that I have been wanting to perfect, spaghetti sauce. This came at a good time, not just because the tomatoes are in season, but the fact that my wife stated she is ready for Autumn food (she calls it chili season). With chili in mind, I was out to make a meat sauce for some really good pasta.

Typically, we buy the sauce in the jar, and they are pretty much all the same. You might want to stop buying the sauce in a jar after this one. The flavors are full of warmth, and with a pinch of cinnamon, your taste buds will have you coming back for more.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef, cooked and drained
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 bulb of garlic, chopped
• 2 tsp oregano
• Bunch of fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbs of sugar (white or brown)
• 8-10 tomatoes, slit at the top, then boiled until skin can be removed
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 8oz can of tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp of celery seed
• 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper
• 1 tbs paprika
• 1/2 tsp majoram
• 1 tbs of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tbs fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 2 tbs of olive oil
• 4 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of good red wine
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• pinch of cinnamon

Start by browning your meat, as well as boiling your tomatoes. You do not want the skin of the tomatoes as it messes with the texture. Slit the top of your tomatoes, throw in boiling water for 5 minutes or so, then remove to let cool. In the meantime, your ground beef should be done, so drain the oil, and set aside. Once the tomatoes are cooled, remove the skin. Here comes the fun part, and trust me on this one, you are almost done putting this one together.

In a large pot, add the olive oil and bring to medium to high heat. Add your garlic, as well as all of your chopped veggies and let these cook for a few minutes. In a bowl, squeeze all of your tomatoes. Get in there and squeeze and have fun with it. Good, now that it over, add the tomatoes to the rest of the vegetables, along with all of your herbs, meat, and spices. Give a few good stirs, then add your chicken broth, red wine, and water. Give another good stir, cover and simmer for 5-6 hours. That’s it folks. When you are ready, cook your pasta and add top with the sauce. Trust me, it is a sure bet.