MIKE ISABELLA'S PEPPERONI SAUCE (FOR PASTA)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, until the oil shimmers.
• Add the onion and garlic; cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until they are golden and fragrant.
• Stir in the pepperoni; cook for about 5 minutes, until fragrant and evenly coated, then add the toasted fennel seed and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices (to taste), the broth and the bay leaf; stir to incorporate.
• Once the mixture starts to bubble at the edges, cover and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• The pepperoni slices will be soft, with a deeper color.
• Remove from the heat.
• Working in batches as needed, transfer to a food processor or a high-powered blender (including the bay leaf); puree until smooth.
• The sauce is ready to use. Or cool, cover and refrigerate or freeze.
• NOTE: Toast the fennel seed in a small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking the skillet often to keep the seeds from burning. They will become fragrant and slightly darker in color. This only takes a couple of minutes.
• He also recomends using San Marzano tomatoes for this recipe.