Thursday, October 8, 2009

Simple Butter and Tomato Sauce

{Pasta Bowl by Lenox (Butterfly pattern in 'Cloud', $4.99... at TJ Maxx right now!}

My favorite food is Italian. Authentic Italian. I could eat pasta 7 days a week.

I consider Marcella Hazan, the "authority" of Italian cooking. Quite a few years ago, her son, Giuliano Hazan came out with a cookbook called "How to Cook Italian".

Giuliano says, "This sauce has been a favorite since my mother made it when I was a little boy. Now it is a favorite of my 5-year-old daughter, Gabriella. Nothing could be simpler, or more delicious. When flavorful ripe fresh tomatoes are in season, by all means use them. If it is winter and only mediocre tomatoes are available, a good quality canned tomato is best. When tossing pasta with it, mix in some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese."

The minute he said it was a favorite of his since he was a boy, I flew to my pantry to make this. It had to be good. And that's what I want.... I want my children to remember me cooking in the kitchen. I want the house to smell of 'comfort' the minute they walk in the door from school.

This sauce is the PERFECT sauce when you have NO TIME to simmer marinara on the stove all afternoon like I do all the time. This is the ONLY sauce I use during soccer season, and on days that I'm running errands. As Christmas approaches, I can assure you, we will eat this once a week. Trust me, I've been making this for 6 years ! I never thought a simple sauce could really change your life, but it did ! I ALWAYS have these ingredients in the house, so at any given time, I can make this.

It's 100% comfort. With 4 ingredients, it's economical. Feeds my large family. But MOST importantly, it's seriously one of the most amazing, delicious sauces that I make.

I adore Giuliano for sharing this with us !! I love the entire cookbook ! {platter- Iroquois China ,Syracuse, New York - Thrift store, 70 cents.

pumpkin head scarecrow, TJ Maxx, $7.99 }


Simple Butter and Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Burro e Pomodoro)
HOW TO COOK ITALIAN by Giuliano Hazan


Makes enough for 1 pound dried pasta

1 large can, whole tomatoes, purred or 1 large can of crushed tomatoes
6 tablespoons butter (REAL BUTTER PLEASE!)
Salt
1 medium yellow onion

1. Coarsely chop the tomatoes and put them in a sauce pot.** I use my immersion blender right in the can. (carefully! ) then pour in sauce pan.
Place over medium heat, add the butter, and season with salt. (don't skip the salt!)

2. Peel the onion, trim away the root end, cut it in half, and add it to the pot.


When the tomatoes begin to bubble, lower the heat to low and simmer until the tomatoes are no longer watery and the sauce has reduced, 30-45 minutes, depending on the size and shape of the pot. The sauce will cook faster in a larger, wider pot. When the sauce is done you should not see any more liquid in the pan.

{I remove the onion and I like to serve it on the side with toasted baguette bread. The onion caramelizes and becomes very sweet ! Yummy !!}
Toss with your choice of 1 lb. pasta !


Note: Once cool, the sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or you can freeze it for up to two months.

You can't get much simpler than this !

It's DIY Day over at a soft place to land. Thanks Kimba !

Also Participating in Foodie Friday , & Friday's Family Recipe & Hooked on Houses.!


43 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Boy, that is amazingly simple! Don't you just love things like this that make your life easier??? Thanks for passing it on to us!

Happy Foodie Friday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

yum! I love italian food so much. I went to Italy on my honeymoon this summer and have been craving more italian good ever since!!!

love lives in the kitchen said...

wow! i'm gonna cook it tonight! looks so lovely! i have quite good ingredients here in milan :)
wish you a great friday!
justyna

Mumzie said...

My granny used to make this and as a small child I could eat it everyday all day long. Yum! Mumzie

Poppedijne said...

This is indeed a very simple sauce but it still takes more then half an hour. In that time I can cook a whole meal from scratch. What do you do with the onion?? Remove it from the sauce?

Rita said...

My daughter in law is italian and she always comes out with these great recipes that are so good yet so simple;thanks for sharing this one. Me too; I love pasta!
Rita

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Oh YUM!!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

That sounds so simple and good! I love Italian food too.

Jessie Weaver said...

Wow! That really is amazingly simple and sounds incredibly good. I will definitely try it!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I make something similar and my family loves it! One of my favorites.

This looks delicious!!

tara said...

sounds fantastic!! and so easy, even I go do this! thank you for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful weekend~

Pam said...

Anything with butter is better. This sauce is simple and delicious. Love it!

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely recipe. This looks and sounds delicious. Have a great day.

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

Love it! I always have pasta and tomato sauce (the same as you) in my house, plus Parmesan cheese (lots of cheese goes on my pasta!).

Lael Hazan said...

Love the recipe! Since Marcella is my mother-in-law she is definately MY authority too. Giuliano is teaching in Italy this week and guess what the kids and I are making this evening! Thanks for sharing it.

By the way, although some people like to take out the onion, we leave it in. It becomes very sweet and the kids always try to eat it all.

Enjoy.

Queen B. said...

Lael-
I am totally freaking out. Really.
THANK YOU FOR LEAVING ME A COMMENT.

YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE ONION OF COURSE !!!
I take it out and serve it on the side. Yes, it's super sweet and YUMMY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU .
ON BEHALF OF MY ENTIRE FAMILY, THANK Giuliano AND HIS FAMILY for sharing with us, the most fabulous Italian Recipes, ever !!!!!!!!!
Ok...best blog thing to ever happen to me. ever.
You have no idea how much I admire the Hazans.
yahoooooo !
Ok...Happy Friday.

Reeni said...

How neat is that comment from Lael? That is so incredibly cool!

I can't believe that place turned you down!! You have one of the best blogs and the yummiest recipe - like this one. I love it!

Wendy McDonagh-Valentine said...

What a wonderful and simple recipe!! I can't wait to try it and might even do so this weekend!!

I just found your blog and I look forward to catching up on all of your past posts!! :)

~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Simple and delicious - what a winner Queen B! Hope you are enjoying a wonderful autumn.
Happy Twirls
We're having a French Wine Set GIVEAWAY if you are interested.

Mrs. Dunbar said...

Just hopped over here from Humble Pie and I must tell you that I am totally going to try this recipe. I am always on the lookout for new recipes and I am adoring your blog!!! Thanks so much, and for the TjMaxx tips too. I only seem to make it there when I know exactly what I want, its always a 50/50 if that item is still there. Anyhow, happy blogging. I'll be returning.

Simple Daisy said...

Don't you just love simple recipes?!?!?
Thanks for sharing:)

Velva said...

This is beautiful! Simple and comforting. I am keeping this recipe handy.

I always wanted my children to remember the delicious cooking smells in the house when they arrived home. Glad to know that I am not alone.

Free Art Printables said...

That looks amazing!

Sweet Cakes said...

so simple and amazing!!

Kathy Walker said...

Oh, Queen B, I so need some quick evening recipes! It is certainly simple. What could be easier. I must give this a try. Thank you for sharing!

Laura Beth said...

Tonight I made this for dinner. Yummy!! I have enjoyed your recipes for the last 3 nights. The first night we had the Stromboli, the next night we enjoyed your tip on the buffalo chicken. When I made that I topped a salad with it and tortilla strips, blue cheese crumbles and ranch. My husband was in hog heaven:) Thank you so much for the yummy, quick dinners!
Laura

Sam said...

YUM! I cannot wait to try this. Between soccer for 2 and dance...quick dinners are wonderful in the fall. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

this post makes me want to cook. Lovely photos!

sealaura said...

OMG can I please move in with you. this looks so amazing. believe it or not you have inspired me to try and cook. I really don;t enjoy it but I seeing your food has inspired me to find my inner cook. these pics make me drool and someday I want my inborn kids or unborn dogs to say how much they love when I cook X. Anywho hope you had a great weekend!

Judy said...

Very nice simple sauce, sounds lovely.

The Internet Cooking Princess said...

I'm also totally guilty of a pasta addiction. If left to my own devices, I might even try and add it for breakfast. Thanks for sharing this recipe - can't wait to try it!

Queen B. said...

Internet Cooking Princess-
I TOTALLY eat leftover pasta for breakfast ! I prefer savory over sweet any day of the week !!

Kathy Walker said...

Queen B, I just nominated you for an award!

Queen B. said...

Kate !
huh ? ARE YOU TALKING TO ME ????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'LL BE RIGHT OVER ! YIPEEEEEEE

Stacey said...

I am drooling and it is only 8:30AM! Can't wait to try it!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Wow, that really looks and sounds amazing! My husband is Italian so we are always trying new Italian recipes!

Paula said...

Thank you for your lovely blog! I just found you by way of your posted comment over at A Beach Cottage. I can't wait to get home to read all your fun... I should be working now, so I'll be back later. :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I am also a pasta lover, and I can't wait to try this very simple recipe. Thank you so much for sharing it. (I may even be fixing it to tonight). laurie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Forgot to tell you, I also love your little pumpkin-head ghost. laurie

Melly Mel said...

oh my goodness this all looks so good!!! thanks for sharing.

Jane said...

Excellent sauce! I have a similar recipe that I have been using for years...brought back from Italy. The only difference is that mine has 2 whole carrots added to the sauce...and removed before serving. When my boys were on the "no vegetable" stage, I pulled out the cuisinart and pureed the carrots and part of the onion, added it to the tomatoes, and served it over pasta. They never realized they were eating carrots!
The butter is so important in this dish...definitely, do not skimp.
Hugs,
Jane (Artfully Graced)

Teresa said...

Wonderfully simple! Can't wait to try this one. I'm always looking for recipes to make on those busy nights when we have basketball games and wrestling practice. This sounds perfect. And since you remove the onion, my picky kids will love it!

Desert Dreaming said...

This recipe was awesome. I showed it to my 24 yr. old daughter, she made it, and the entire family loved it!! Thank you!

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