**A Journey into the Heart of Italian Cuisine: Unveiling the Secrets of Perfect Pomodoro Sauce and Its Versatile Variations**
In the culinary tapestry of Italy, few dishes hold a more prominent place than the classic pomodoro sauce, a savory and vibrant creation that embodies the essence of Italian cooking. Made with fresh tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of garlic, this versatile sauce forms the foundation of countless pasta dishes, pizzas, and stews, adding a burst of flavor to every bite.
Our exploration of pomodoro sauce begins with the quintessential recipe, a straightforward yet flavorful rendition that captures the true spirit of this Italian staple. Simple and elegant, this recipe showcases the natural sweetness of tomatoes and the harmonious blend of herbs, creating a sauce that is both rustic and refined.
For those seeking a richer and more complex flavor profile, we present a variation that incorporates roasted tomatoes. The slow roasting process caramelizes the tomatoes, intensifying their sweetness and adding a smoky depth to the sauce. This variation is perfect for hearty pasta dishes or as a topping for grilled meats.
For those with a taste for adventure, we offer a spicy rendition of pomodoro sauce, infused with the warmth of chili peppers. This fiery variation adds an extra kick to your favorite dishes, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Finally, we conclude our culinary journey with a vegetarian-friendly version of pomodoro sauce. This recipe substitutes vegetable broth for meat-based stock, creating a rich and flavorful sauce that is perfect for pasta, vegetables, or as a dip for bread.
No matter your taste preferences, our collection of pomodoro sauce recipes offers something for everyone. From the classic to the contemporary, from the simple to the sophisticated, these recipes will guide you in creating the perfect pomodoro sauce to elevate your culinary creations.
PERFECT POMODORO SAUCE
This is your basic Italian/American red sauce. Nothing fancy, but perfect every time. This is the sauce to use for all of your dishes - Pasta, Baked Ziti, Parmigiana, ect. It is not acceptable for pizza sauce, as Pizza sauce in Italy is rarely cooked prior to being put on the pizza. This can be the base for a great ragu or traditional Italian/American meat sauce. The sugar is left up to one's personal taste. Some Italians use sugar (don't argue, I have witnessed it first hand). It all depends on the tomatoes... taste them and you be the judge. And you want to finely mince your onion and garlic so they melt into the sauce.
Provided by sjf17x
Categories Penne
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Start off by mincing the onions. They must be as small as possible. Set aside in a bowl.
- Mince the garlic, then form a garlic paste.
- **Note** To form a garlic paste, mince garlic, add some sea or kosher salt and olive oil, and use the back end of a chef's knife to work the garlic into a paste.
- For the whole tomatoes, remove each tomato by hand and place into a food processor. Leave puree in the can. Pulse the tomatoes until crushed, leaving some texture. Strain through a fine mesh sieve - you'll remove about 1 cup of water. Discard the water and add crushed tomatoes back to puree in the can. Set aside.
- In a sauce pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook onions and garlic for about 3-5 minutes, or until garlic begins to smell like it's roasted. It should just start to be taking on color. This step is very important and one where you have to go by the smell rather than the color of the garlic. Once you begin to smell that roasted garlic smell, the onion/garlic is ready. Stir constantly.
- Add tomato paste and stir, cooking the paste for 1 minute.
- Add wine and stir. The wine should instantly thicken, due to the tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes. It is not necessary to reduce.
- Reduce heat to medium/low.
- Add red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, pepper and sugar. Stir and cook briefly for 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes you pureed and the crushed tomatoes. Stir, cover pot and allow to cook for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Sauce can be cooked longer, but I prefer a more vibrant tomato taste. The longer you cook it, the more rich the tomato flavor will become. This is totally personal preference. After 20 minutes, my pasta water is boiling away and I start cooking the pasta.
- When your pasta is finished cooking, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. I always add at least 1/4 cup of the pasta water to the sauce. It helps the sauce stick to the pasta.
- Tips on pasta - never, never, never, never add oil to the water and never rinse your cooked pasta. The pasta can be drained and added directly to the sauce, or add your drained pasta to a bowl and toss with 1 cup of your tomato sauce.
- Add basil to sauce right before serving, as basil looses it's flavor immediately from the heat. Also do a final seasoning adjustment, if necessary right before serving. I like to add a drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil and an extra pinch of red pepper flakes.
- I cannot stress enough the steps are important, and this generally takes me 15 minutes max to put together -- but all ingredients are personal choice. Add more or less of whatever you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 380.2, Fat 28.1, SaturatedFat 3.9, Sodium 887.8, Carbohydrate 27, Fiber 6.8, Sugar 7.5, Protein 5.6
POMODORO SAUCE
Steps:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, saute garlic and onion in oil for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and herbs, continue to cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Season with salt, pepper and sugar. Serve with cheese and herb ravioli.
PASTA AL POMODORO
Pomodoro, the Italian word for tomato, comes from pomo d'oro ("golden apple"), and also refers to this sauce. A good pomodoro leans into the inherently savory, umami-rich flavor of the tomatoes, so use the best ones you can find. Any combination of low-water, high-flavor tomatoes like plum, grape, cherry and Campari, cooked down to their purest essence, makes for the most vibrant result. Thin spaghetti works best here, as its airy bounciness catches the pulpy tomato sauce beautifully, but regular spaghetti would taste great, too. Add basil at the end, if you'd like, or a dusting of cheese, but a stalwart pasta al pomodoro made with peak-season tomatoes needs neither.
Provided by Eric Kim
Categories dinner, lunch, pastas, main course, side dish
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Add the olive oil and garlic to a large Dutch oven or high-sided skillet. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook the garlic, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly golden, and small rapid bubbles form around the cloves, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove the garlic from the pot and discard (or eat).
- Carefully and gently lower the chopped tomatoes into the hot oil and cook, stirring constantly, until the tomatoes let off some liquid and the sauce starts to bubble steadily. Season generously with salt. Lower the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce reduces significantly, about 40 minutes.
- Set a metal sieve, strainer or food mill over a medium bowl. Carefully pour in the tomato sauce. If using a sieve or strainer, push the sauce through with a spoon or flexible spatula, until all that remains are seeds and skins. Be sure to repeatedly scrape off the valuable pulp collecting on the bottom of the sieve (by holding the sieve down against the edge of the bowl and pulling it back). You should have about 2 cups of sauce in the bowl. Taste and add more salt, if needed, then return the sauce to the Dutch oven.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta and add to the sauce.
- Turn the heat to high and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce reduces slightly and the pasta is well coated but not drowned in the sauce, about 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit so the pasta can absorb the sauce further, about 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- Use high-quality tomatoes: Great-tasting tomatoes make the best sauce. Look for ripe, in-season tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are a popular choice for their sweetness and low acidity.
- Don't skip the olive oil: Olive oil adds richness and flavor to the sauce. Use a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil.
- Sauté the onion and garlic: Sautéing the onion and garlic until they are soft and fragrant helps to release their flavors and create a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Add a touch of red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat to the sauce. If you don't like spicy food, you can omit them.
- Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes: Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to meld and develop. The longer you simmer it, the better it will taste.
- Season the sauce to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or herbs.
- Serve the sauce over pasta, chicken, or vegetables: Pomodoro sauce is a versatile sauce that can be served over a variety of dishes.
Conclusion:
With its vibrant color, rich flavor, and versatility, it's a staple in Italian cooking and a favorite around the world. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe will guide you to create a perfect Pomodoro sauce that will impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on this culinary journey together!
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