Spaghetti Sauce

Plain and simple spaghetti sauce recipe today. Of course, you can serve this with any pasta it doesn't have to be spaghetti. This is a quick version but if you have time feel free to let it simmer in a crockpot for as long as you possibly can.

First, we are going to start with some vegetables. We use, 1 Large Onion (or 2 Medium), 3 Cloves of Garlic (or more if you prefer), 2 Stocks of Celery, 1 Small Container of Fresh Mushrooms (we use Button),. and 1 Sweet Pepper (we use Green). You want to get everything diced up and into a pot with 1 pound of Medium Ground Beef (we use medium for the fat content but you can choose leaner meats if you choose). The Ground Beef should provide enough fat so you do not have to add anything to the pot (if it does not or you are using leaner meats, add some cooking oil, and butter).

As the meat cooks add any dried herbs and spices you like (we add Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, some Oregano). Once the meat has cooked, add 1 Tablespoon of Tomato Paste and let it cook, you will notice the past will start to turn brown (that is perfectly okay! that is what we want. Make sure to have your liquid handy). Once it has browned (less than five minutes), add either Half a Cup of white wine or beef stock to deglaze the pan (should you add white wine add 1-3 Teaspoons of sugar to the liquid).

Once the liquid as mixed with the tomato paste, add 1 can of Stewed Tomatoes (plain or with seasonings if you wish - do not drain), and 1 can of Tomato Sauce (you can replace this with a can or jar of actual Spaghetti Sauce if you need to). Bring everything to a boil, and add a bundle of fresh herbs (herbs tied together with a string - including a Bay Leaf, Thyme. Let this simmer for 1-2 hours or more if possible.

Five minutes before serving add in 1/4 Cup of Chopped Basil. Stir and Serve.