How do I make a good Italian Sauce? Meat Sauce, Pesto, etc.

My family loves Italian and I am learning to cook. Any great (fool proof) recipes?

Thank you.

Re: How do I make a good Italian Sauce? Meat Sauce, Pesto, etc.

Penne ala Vodka

Ingredients
Olive oil (or butter)
1 onion (or 2 or 3 shallots, preferred) chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
crushed red pepper (just a pinch)
1 cup vodka
1 large can crushed tomatoes (or tomato puree)
½ pint heavy cream (can use marscapone instead)
Prosciutto - 3-4 slices (sliced 1/4 inch think), grinded up in food processor or chopper, or cut into small cubes)


Sautee onion and garlic in olive oil until onions become translucent.
Add crushed red pepper, proscuitto and vodka, let simmer for 5 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes. Leave heavy cream out on counter to warm, then add about 15 minutes after the tomatoes. Let simmer until you are ready to serve (best if simmered for atleast 20-30 minutes).

Recipe makes enough sauce for approximately 1 ½ pounds of pasta. You can Freeze extra sauce if desired.



NOTE: always use inexpensive vodka for cooking, you want the vodka flavor and its a waste to use the expenseive stuff. But the $7 bottle!

Message edited 9/16/2011 9:10:33 AM.

Re: How do I make a good Italian Sauce? Meat Sauce, Pesto, etc.

pesto:

EVOO
Basil (one containter, break off stems)
garlic
black pepper
handful of parm or romano cheese
pignoli or walnuts (optional, I don't use as DH can't eat nuts)
pasta water

I don't really measure, but throw basil in food processor or blender, add 3 or so cloves garlic in. Let that chop up, then add cheese (as desired), nuts and stream in EVOO until desired texture ( I leave it a little thick and add pasta water to thin out a little). When pasta is ready add some pasta water to sauce and then mix sauce with pasta.