Sauce: what the heck happened?

I used a pretty simple recipe.

--Chop one onion and 2 garlic cloves, sautee in olive oil.

--Pour in 1 can of crushed tomatoes.

--Season: oregano, basil, salt, pepper

--Simmer unit it reduces a little bit. I simmered it for about 20 minutes on a low flame.

And it tastes like Prego. I don't hate Prego, but I was aiming for the kind of sauce I eat in Italian restaurants.

Message edited 4/9/2007 9:03:42 PM.

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

my sauce never comes out right, unless I cook sausage in it...I think it needs that fat flavoring and oils.

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

I always use plum shaped peeled tomatoes-then i puree them in the blender

i use more garlic than onion too-3 cloves and about 1/4 onion

i pure salt & pepper in-no basil or oregano-unless im making like a pizza sauce

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

definitely try to put some meat in the sauce- sausage, braciole, pork chop, anything to give it flavor.

***the meats go in right after you put some olive oil in, brown them , then saute the garlic and onion!

Good luck!

oh- and mabye add a quarter cup of red wine to the sauce, adds flavor!

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

you didn't add tomato paste or puree!

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

Thanks everyone, I see I have a few more batches to make!

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

This is bad, but I also usually add 2 tablespoons of margerine or butter..

Def. use tomato paste..it gives so much flavor!!

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

What brand did you use?
I think the brand tomato you use makes all the difference.
I personally love Luigi Vitelli....or any tomato (grown in)san marzano-it should say it on the can.
Also I dont use oregano for that type of sauce (filetto di pomadoro) just some fresh basil-Fresh black pepper, and some sugar.

Edited to say-I wouldnt use paste for the kind of sauce you were making-Usually paste is for sauce you make w/meat....and you would cook it for a couple of hours.

Message edited 4/10/2007 2:33:21 PM.

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

You didn't let it simmer long enough. I let mine simmer for a couple of hours. I also add some meat to flavor it.

When I am strickly making a marinara sauce, more like what you mentioned. I still let it simmer for at least an hour.

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

Did you add some sugar?? You need to add some sugar and some salt to balance out the flavor.

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

Some people also add some red wine. But for my sauce, what really adds the flavor is meat simmering in it for a few hours, like others have already said. Good sauce takes time!

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

you need something to cut the acidity of the tomatoes - i use sugar but FMIL uses carrots!

and definitely cook it for much longer. . .the longer the better - never less than an hour

good luck!

Re: Sauce: what the heck happened?

You can make a quick marinara by simmering over a high flame for about 20 minutes..any type of other sauce is really done over a low flame for several hours...or you will have that "raw" flavor that you get from jarred sauce...

Do what you are doing only...try simmering for several hours.