Tomato Sauce with Onion & Butter from Marcella Hazan

Saturday, September 22, 2012

I finally jumped on the foodie bandwagon and made this tomato sauce everyone has been raving about for the past couple years. First Deb, then Jaden, then Francis, then Elise -- I figured there had to be something to it...

Tomato Sauce With Butter & Onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Our new addition does not make cooking easy but this recipe looked just simple enough to attempt between dealing with the two kids in the fuzzy haze of sleep deprivation.

All the ingredients for the tomato sauce by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

The only change I made was to substitute the last tomatoes from our garden and the ones we received in our CSA pick-up this week for the canned San Marzano's that Marcella's recipe calls for. Fresh is almost always a million times tastier than canned or bottled.

End of season tomatoes by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Since I was using fresh tomatoes, I blanched them, cooled them in ice water and peeled them. However, if I am in a hurry, I sometimes skip this step - what's a few tomato skins among friends, right?

Cooling the blanched tomatoes by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Then peeled and halved the onion, sliced the butter and combined it all in the pot. Simmered for 45 minutes, stirring regularly and crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot.

Simmering the tomato sauce with butter and onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Removed the onion, gave it a few licks with the old immersion blender and salted it to taste.

I admit it went against the grain to use butter instead of olive oil but it makes the sauce so rich and smooth and well, buttery, that I have no regrets at all. And I also questioned the removal of the onion but decided just to follow the recipe and was pleased with the end result - a delicate, rich, fresh tasting sauce.

Tomato Sauce With Butter & Onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Simple, delicious, comfort food. And a perfect way to use up some end-of-the-season tomatoes, too. Directions below are for the canned tomatoes - but just blanch and peel if you're using fresh ones.

Tomato Sauce With Butter & Onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

-- print recipe --
Tomato Sauce With Onion & Butter
Adapted from Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking
Serves 4 as a main course

Ingredients

* 28 ounces (800 grams) whole peeled tomatoes
* 5 Tbsps (70 grams) unsalted butter
* 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved
* Sea salt to taste

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon.

2. Remove from heat, discard the onion, blend to desire consistency (or not at all if you like your sauce really chunky), and salt to taste.

3. Serve warm over good pasta with grated Parmesan.

You might also like:
For more delicious recipes, gardening ideas, foraging tips, and food-related inspiration "like" the Garden of Eating on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest.

3 comments:

Nadia said...

I grew up eating this! We're big Marcella Hazan fans in my family. I love that this recipe is getting the attention it deserves - so simple and delicious!

Eileen said...

I've heard about this sauce for years, but somehow have never made it! Clearly this has to change. Looks great! :)

Rio said...

I use butter liberally in much of my baking and cooking, but never would've thought of using butter in tomato sauce...must try next season when tomatoes are back! Will you please re post (a reminder) next August/September??

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Tomato Sauce with Onion & Butter from Marcella Hazan

I finally jumped on the foodie bandwagon and made this tomato sauce everyone has been raving about for the past couple years. First Deb, then Jaden, then Francis, then Elise -- I figured there had to be something to it...

Tomato Sauce With Butter & Onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Our new addition does not make cooking easy but this recipe looked just simple enough to attempt between dealing with the two kids in the fuzzy haze of sleep deprivation.

All the ingredients for the tomato sauce by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

The only change I made was to substitute the last tomatoes from our garden and the ones we received in our CSA pick-up this week for the canned San Marzano's that Marcella's recipe calls for. Fresh is almost always a million times tastier than canned or bottled.

End of season tomatoes by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Since I was using fresh tomatoes, I blanched them, cooled them in ice water and peeled them. However, if I am in a hurry, I sometimes skip this step - what's a few tomato skins among friends, right?

Cooling the blanched tomatoes by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Then peeled and halved the onion, sliced the butter and combined it all in the pot. Simmered for 45 minutes, stirring regularly and crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot.

Simmering the tomato sauce with butter and onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Removed the onion, gave it a few licks with the old immersion blender and salted it to taste.

I admit it went against the grain to use butter instead of olive oil but it makes the sauce so rich and smooth and well, buttery, that I have no regrets at all. And I also questioned the removal of the onion but decided just to follow the recipe and was pleased with the end result - a delicate, rich, fresh tasting sauce.

Tomato Sauce With Butter & Onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

Simple, delicious, comfort food. And a perfect way to use up some end-of-the-season tomatoes, too. Directions below are for the canned tomatoes - but just blanch and peel if you're using fresh ones.

Tomato Sauce With Butter & Onion by Eve Fox, Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2012

-- print recipe --
Tomato Sauce With Onion & Butter
Adapted from Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking
Serves 4 as a main course

Ingredients

* 28 ounces (800 grams) whole peeled tomatoes
* 5 Tbsps (70 grams) unsalted butter
* 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved
* Sea salt to taste

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon.

2. Remove from heat, discard the onion, blend to desire consistency (or not at all if you like your sauce really chunky), and salt to taste.

3. Serve warm over good pasta with grated Parmesan.

You might also like:
For more delicious recipes, gardening ideas, foraging tips, and food-related inspiration "like" the Garden of Eating on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest.

3 comments:

Nadia said...

I grew up eating this! We're big Marcella Hazan fans in my family. I love that this recipe is getting the attention it deserves - so simple and delicious!

Eileen said...

I've heard about this sauce for years, but somehow have never made it! Clearly this has to change. Looks great! :)

Rio said...

I use butter liberally in much of my baking and cooking, but never would've thought of using butter in tomato sauce...must try next season when tomatoes are back! Will you please re post (a reminder) next August/September??