The BEST sauce
40 minutes of active labor/ 3 hours of slow cooking/ yields 10-12 portions/freezer-friendly
Introduction
I am so incredibly proud to present this delicious family recipe. It is a perfect recipe to host extended family members or to make before a busy season. You will love it on French fries, to dip your bread in, over spaghetti or in a meaty pizza. It will become a classic in your home and I cannot wait to hear the little changes that you do to make it YOURS.
Don’t get discouraged when see that the cooking time is 3 hours & 40 minutes. We often don’t have much time, but it’s important to make tasty meals that help us slowdown in our busy lives. Cooking fills the kitchen with comforting aromas and meals made slowly not only taste better but also create enjoyable times at the dinner table. Taking a moment to appreciate these experiences can turn mealtime into a special ritual instead of just another chore. The benefit of this “long” recipe is that once you have chopped the veggies, browned the meet and assembled all of the ingredients, the rest is hands off and only requires you to stir every once in a while, at the lowest temp.
This recipe is PERFECT for hosting extended family gatherings, providing comfort to families facing challenges, welcoming a new family member, or enjoying a group retreat at a cabin. Because it yields many portions and it is hands off for hours, it allows you to do all of the other steps hosting requires while it cooks slowly. You can make your salads, set your table, bake your bread and get ready without going crazy in the kitchen.
Since this recipe has many ingredients, I have listed them in order of use and divided them in steps, so it is as straight forward as possible.
Ingredients
Step 1, Browning the beef
1 tsp of olive oil
2 lb. ground beef
Step 2, cooking the veggies
2 tbsp. of olive oil
1 big onion or 2 small, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup of celeries chopped into tiny little pieces
1 1/2 cup of carrots chopped into tiny little pieces
Step 3, Incorporating tomato paste & spices
2 canes of tomato paste (5 1/2 oz each)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp of dried rosemary
1/2 tsp of dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp of both salt and pepper
1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp of sage
5 whole cloves
Step 4, Incorporating the rest
2 canes of crushed tomatoes (28 oz each)
2 bay leaves (to be removed before serving)
3 whole pepperoncini (to be removed before serving)
1/4 cup of chili sauce (scroll down to the bottom for picture reference)
1/4 cup of ketchup
2 tablespoons of worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of maple syrup or sugar
3 drops of tabasco or hot sauce of choice
Step 5, garnish with desired toppings
For spaghetti: Parmesan, mozzarella or fresh basil (optional)
For fries: Cheese curds, shredded cheese of choice, saussages, hot dogs or roasted peppers.
Instructions
Select the largest casserole dish you have, as this recipe will yield 10 to 12 servings. Begin by chopping all the vegetables and gathering all the canned goods, spices, and other ingredients required for the dish. Ensure everything is prepped and ready to go. Measure out all ingredients in advance and remove the lids from the cans. Completing these steps ahead of time will streamline the cooking process and make for an efficient, enjoyable experience.
In your lard casserole over medium-high heat, thoroughly brown the ground beef, aiming for a golden-brown color rather than a steamed appearance. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Once the beef is fully cooked, no longer pink and has a golden appearance, carefully drain any excess fat and set the meat aside to incorporate into your dish later.
Return to the same pot and, over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Incorporate the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. If the vegetables begin to stick to the bottom of the pot, add 1/4 cup of water to prevent burning. This will help create steam, until the vegetables naturally release their juices and soften-usually after 1 minutes of cooking. Once the veggies release their juices, keep cooking until tender. You can turn down the heat a bit but keep in mind that the flavors will develop deeper if in the ingredients are browned and not steamed. Once the juices have disappeared, it will start to roast. Stir until you have a good coloration and add the 2 canes of tomatoes paste and the dry spices. Stir constantly until you can smell the aromas of the tomato paste and spices, this should take 1 minute or so.
The biggest part of the job is done.
To ensure the success of this recipe, you must do one step at the time. This is how you have a result that makes you shout, “this is the best”.
Add the reserved browned beef to the pot, stir well to incorporate, and mix in all of the tomatoes along with the remaining ingredients. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Allow this to cook for 3 hours, which will enable all the caramelized bits to release their flavors and meld beautifully with the rest of the ingredients, resulting in an absolutely fabulous sauce. Remember to return periodically to stir the sauce, as this will help prevent burning on the bottom and ensure even cooking throughout.
Plate the spaghetti or fries, lather with sauce and if desired, sprinkling the grated Parmesan on top.
Tips for Connection
Involve the Kids: Allow your children to help with simple tasks such as measuring ingredients or stirring the sauce. This not only teaches them valuable cooking skills but also gives them a sense of ownership over the meal. This recipe offers a fun opportunity for you and the kids to engage in a meaningful cooking experience. Involve them in gathering the ingredients from the pantry and refrigerator; this not only helps them familiarize themselves with different items but also teaches them how to identify various flavors and aromas.
To minimize mess, place a cookie tray in front of your child. Set up all the measuring cups and spoons on the tray so that any spilled ingredients are contained, making clean-up quick and hassle-free. My advice is to do this before you start the recipe or while browning the beef. This collaborative approach encourages learning while keeping the cooking space manageable. I will say it again; you are rising the chance of your child loving your dish if they can celebrate having helped in the making of it. Big kids can help with using a can opener; make sure to be safe & explain that the rim is not to be touch.
Share Stories: As you sit down to enjoy the meal, encourage family members to share their favorite stories or memories related to food. This fosters a warm atmosphere and strengthens family bonds.
Make it Yours: Encourage creativity! Let family members customize their plates with additional toppings like crushed red pepper, extra cheese, or sauteed vegetables or Italian sausages, making each meal unique to individual tastes.
I hope this is the best sauce of your life and that it becomes a family tradition of yours. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze and enjoy later.
