Friday, July 27, 2012

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

28 comments:

Holly said...

NUM!!!!

Cheryl said...

YUMMMMMY!!! Can I come stay? :-) !! Between all the wonderful cooking, fun time and creativeness, it looks like the perfect place to live!!!!

Sunny Simple Life said...

Yum. I need to do this this weekend. Still no egg.

Unknown said...

Perfect idea. I too have a bunch of tomatoes and some basil that needs to be put to good use this weekend. But, I may use turkey for the diet going on here. Have a sweet cool weekend.

The English Ladies! said...

Makes me want to go home and make some. Look so good!

Debbie said...

Oh wow does this ever look good. I kid you not I can actually smell it, haha. Bet it was gobbled up. Enjoy your week-end Kris!

NanaNor's said...

Happy Friday Kris, Loved seeing your tomato sauce and now I know how to cut ribbons of basil.
I'm going to check out your site on Pinterest.
Have a fun weekend my friend.
Hugs, Noreen

my4lilgirls said...

Too yummy, I love pasta & even more with a great homemade sauce, Mmmm now i'm hungry :)
Lol Karen x

Gloria Baker said...

Kris look absolutely yummy!"ha ve a nice weekend:)

Kerri said...

Yum! Sauce look amazing...and so do those herbs! One thing I've noticed with you and Genn is that you put all of your food on one plate! So interesting to me... I've never seen that before. We put our meal on one plate and salad on a separate plate. Maybe that's why you guys are skinny and we are not!

annielizabeth said...

Hi Kris, that looks so tasty. MMM fresh from the garden vegies. I'm starving. Gonna make a quick dinner when I get home and watch the opening ceremonies tonite. Have a lovely wknd.

annielizabeth said...

Hey, I just checked my email and I think we left comments on each other's blog at the same time!!! Yes, I've missed you, too and seeing what you're up to. Your garden looks amazing. Great to see you are relaxing and enjoying your pool. ox

Nicolle said...

Yum! I can almost smell this! It looks so good. I am like you, I rarely follow a recipe. Now I'm hungry again, but it's too late for anything heavy! ;)

Gracie Saylor said...

Kris, thanks for sharing your recipe, and especially how you cut up your basil. Very clever!
Hugs from Gracie

priscilla said...

Looks really good !

Susanne Tyree said...

Looks yummy Kris! My mouth is watering. Trying to follow the POINTS program with WW, so this recipe is just gonna have to be put on a back burner for a FREE day. Thanks for sharing.
Susanne :)

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh.. I love homemade pasta sauce! Your dinner looks yummmmm! We met our son's family for Chinese dinner. I do hope you visit Oregon someday soon, I'll show you some of the great places here in the gorge. Enjoy your weekend! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Unknown said...

I'm going to try this on Pasta night as my garden is just coming into it's own...

~Niki~ said...

yummy!

Cheapchick said...

Mmm looks very tasty. I love using fresh herbs

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This looks so delicious, Kris! I love sauce made with fresh garden tomatoes. I use a hand cranked food mill to seperate the seeds and peels after their hot water bath..it makes it so easy!

bj said...

Oh my....this does indeed look scrumptious. I've never made it before but I sure will give this a try. Your dinner looks amazing.
xo bj

Robyn said...

That looks delicious! I used to make my own sauce as well but it never looked as good as yours does here!.. LOL
Robyn :)

Cathy said...

I love one pot meals like this. Perfect after a nice afternoon in the pool. Sounds like you are enjoying your summer, Kris.

Lynne said...

One of my favorite things about summer...Tomatoes! Your sauce looks yummy. I made your salsa today and it turned out GREAT!!!

Just a little something from Judy said...

As I am reading your post, it is time for breakfast. I only wish it was time for dinner and that yummy looking pasta was on my plate. You sure did make it look good! Your pictures are so good!

The Tuscan Home said...

Yum, I am so making this! Thanks! xo ~Liz =)

Jill said...

Looks delicious and I love your new cover picture!

Blessings,
Jill