Simple Tomato Sauce

Yields: 6 cups

Ingredients:

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped

4 celery stalk, chopped

2-3 carrots, chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper for seasoning

2 (28 oz) cans of crushed or diced tomatoes (this can vary 28 or 32 oz can)

5 dried bay leaves

Instructions:

1. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion until soft and translucent, this takes about 2 minutes. Add carrots and celery and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are soft reducing heat to medium, this takes about 5 minutes.

2. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and let simmer on low heat for 60 minutes.

3. Remove bay leaves and taste. If it is too acidic, add unsalted butter 1 tbsp at a time to round out flavors (no more than 4 tbsp).

4. Blend together with an immersion blender until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a food processor or blender. Optional, add cooked meat to sauce (ground meat or sausages.) Continue to let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

5. This yields about 6 cups so with the leftovers, you can freeze it and it lasts for about 6 months.

6. Serve with your favorite pasta. Enjoy!!!