Tomato Sauce

Well, I have heard it said that the third time is the charm - we'll see.  I tried my homemade tomato sauce recipe the other day and it did not turn out like it had the first time - it was FLAT!!  I added all kinds of stuff and nothing helped!  Then I remembered what I was missing - bell pepper!  Of course I didn't have one on hand that day!  So I tried it again today - with the bell pepper!  I think it helped to pray over it - especially since I had company coming for lunch and I was planning on using it in the Mexican Rice I was making!  So (write it down, Jessi!) here is the official recipe for Sarie's Tomato Sauce.


6-8 tomato, cut into small chunks
1/2 c. shredded carrots - (I used just over 1/2 a cup - maybe about 3/4?)
1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 onion, chopped - (I use red onions because that's what I can get here in Peru!)
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tsp. fresh chopped parsley - (dried parsley would probably be about the same)
1 1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. Italian Herb Seasoning - (that's what I happen to have on hand - I think a mixture of oregano, thyme, and rosemary would work just as well - just adjust to your taste.)
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Olive Oil - (I just drizzle some into the bottom of the sauce pan - enough to get the onion and garlic going - maybe 1 Tbsp.?)


Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until the onions start becoming translucent.  Add peppers and sauté
again (5 min. more or less).  Add shredded carrots and sauté some more (another 5 min. or so).  Add tomatoes and water.  (I add about 1 cup of water when I put in the tomatoes, then add another 1/2 cup after it has simmered for a while - if it needs it.)  Bring to a boil and simmer about 15 minutes.  Mash tomatoes every so often (I use the big wooden spoon that belonged to my Grandma Knapp!)  The tomatoes add moisture, so you may not want to add extra water.  We like the sauce chunky, so I only mash the tomatoes by hand, but you could run it all through the blender or use a mixer if you like it smooth.  Add herbs, salt, and pepper (to taste) closer to finish time.


Remember this recipe started when I decided one day to stray off the safe and secure path of "Cookbook Lane"!  Let me know how it turns out for you all!  Matt and the kiddos like this tomato sauce used in my Mexican Rice Recipe - another story, another time!  Happy eating!!