gurdymonkey: (Default)
gurdymonkey ([personal profile] gurdymonkey) wrote2009-09-14 07:57 pm

Scratch spaghetti sauce?

Got irritated after looking at half a dozen supposed "scratch" sauce recipes on the internet, all of which depended heavily on CANNED tomatoes, and all sounded pretty much how we used to make sauce before it came in jars anyway,  so I thought, "Screw it, I can do this." Browned some ground beef, sauteed one large onion. Threw them in a pot with 1/3 cup of olive oil, the better part of a bottle of Riunite lambrusco (on the principle that one doesn't need sugar in one's tomato sauce if one uses a wine that's on the sweet side), a bunch of brown mushrooms, the tomatoes and basil [personal profile] allison_is ' Mom gave me, some smashed garlic (not nearly enough to suit me but I'd thought I had more in the house than I did). 

While it was simmering, I stumbled on a documentary on Sundance called "Amazing Journey: Six Quick Ones" about the Who and enjoyed that with some of what was left of the Riunite, which sucked not in the slightest. The documentary included a segment on the recording of a song I hadn't heard before, because the album it was released on had sounded like Yet Another Compilation Of Who Classics I Already Own when it was touted. Believe it or not, the Who have been responsible for some damned pretty songs and this one is right up there.  So I'm posting this honor of a Real Good Lookin' Boy who is having his birthday tomorrow.

Well, the contents of the stock pot didn't come out particularly thick, but it was still yummy over pasta shells.

[identity profile] ladycelia.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
If you have a problem with too much acid in your tomato sauce, instead of sugar try a pinch of baking soda. It will bubble like mad when you toss it in, but it works a right treat at cutting the acid without making it sweet.

[identity profile] gurdymonkey.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
Actually, it turned out beautifully this time - no acidity in the tomatoes or sauce, at all.

[identity profile] baronnemelisend.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, the contents of the stock pot didn't come out particularly thick, but it was still yummy over pasta shells.

So was Roger Daltry, in his day....

Nice video. Takes me back to the days where me and my best friend Susan Taylor were all about The Who.
ext_143250: 1911 Mystery lady (Default)

[identity profile] xrian.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, the contents of the stock pot didn't come out particularly thick, but it was still yummy over pasta shells.

My diagnosis: needs more simmering. ;)

But that involves staying home with one's feet up as the pot simmers on the back of the stove, with a fire in the fireplace, a good book in hand, and rain coming down outside, and several of those elements are probably lacking....

[identity profile] gurdymonkey.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
It was unfortunately a choice between letting it reduce further and leave it on the stove all evening or actually eating dinner.

[identity profile] norayn.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds good! (Wishing i had some right now!!)

Next time add the secret ingredient ~ 1 or 2 shredded carrots!

Be selective who you give the secret too!!