Homemade Sauce

Yesterday I decided to make some homemade tomato sauce with my fresh garden tomatoes.   I started by using the same process as I did when making salsa, and plunged the tomatoes into boiling water for just a minute, then into ice water so that their skins were easily removed.

Remove skin, then squeeze seeds out, and give them a rough chop.

I used a LOT of fresh herbs from my garden.  Basil, thyme, parsley.

Do you know the easiest way to chop basil?  Stack the fresh leaves, one onto another, forming a nice even stack.

Roll them up, nice and tight.

With your knife on a bit on an angle, slice through the roll, every 1/4 inch or so, forming little ribbons of basil.

To the pot, I added plenty of sauteed onion, chopped parsley, thyme, garlic, basil and salt and pepper.  I let this cook for several hours.
Later in the evening, I browned 2 pounds of ground sirloin, and more onion and garlic.  The recipe that I sort of, kind of,followed was one that I pinned the other day on Pinterest.  It was for Bobby Deen's Goulash.  But I don't usually follow recipes very literally, and changed it so much that I won't post the original recipe.  You can google it or find it on Pinterest.

After letting the meat and sauce simmer for another hour or so, I added a bag of pasta, water, and tasted it for spices.  I added more salt here, and a good bit of chili powder too.

Put the lid on the pot and allowed the pasta to cook.  At about this time, Gennifer and Jake and the girls arrived.  We all hopped in the pool. Geeps got home, and he joined us.  About an hour later, I got out and sliced the french bread that Gennifer brought.  Made a quick salad, and we had a delicious meal out on the patio.  Oh, and just before serving, I added a good handful or two of fresh parmesan cheese to the pot and gave it a stir.  This photo was taken after everyone had come through to load up their plates.  It made a huge pot!!!

Dinner....

Bon Appetit!
XO  Kris