Julie’s Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce (a-k-a Sunday Gravy)

Name: Julie’s Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce (a-k-a Sunday Gravy)
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 28 oz. can of tomato purée (crushed tomatoes would also work); 6 oz. can of tomato paste; 1 TBS. bacon grease and/or extra virgin olive oil (I save up bacon grease drippings so I always have a reserve in a jar in the refrigerator); 1/2 sweet onion, minced in food processor; 1 stalk celery, minced in food processor; 1/2 carrot, minced in food processor; 8 oz. wine (red or white); 8 oz. water; 4 basil leaves, chopped; 2 bay leaves, whole; 1 TBS. dried oregano; 2 tsp. Sugar; to taste Garlic salt; to taste Black pepper; 1 heel of Parmesan cheese, optional

CoolJewel @cook_2780199

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

I’ve been playing around with this recipe for years, trying to perfect it. I got the gist of it from my mother, but I’ve tweaked it to suit my taste. By the way, if you’re familiar with Philadelphia lingo, there’s an ongoing debate as to whether it’s called “sauce” or “gravy”. My logic is, if you’re cooking meat in it for flavor, then it’s definitely GRAVY!

CoolJewel @cook_2780199

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

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Ingredients

28 oz.can of tomato purée (crushed tomatoes would also work)
6 oz.can of tomato paste
1 TBS.bacon grease and/or extra virgin olive oil (I save up bacon grease drippings so I always have a reserve in a jar in the refrigerator)
1/2sweet onion, minced in food processor
1 stalkcelery, minced in food processor
1/2carrot, minced in food processor
8 oz.wine (red or white)
8 oz.water
4basil leaves, chopped
2bay leaves, whole
1 TBS.dried oregano
2 tsp.Sugar
to taste Garlic salt
to taste Black pepper
1heel of Parmesan cheese, optional

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Steps

1

In a large pot, sauté the chopped onions, celery and carrots in the bacon grease (preferable) or the olive oil (or a combination of both) until soft and translucent.
2

Add the remaining ingredients together into the pot and simmer, covered, all day long (but for at least a couple hours). For added flavor and an amazing taste, add meatballs (see my recipe), sausage, pork ribs and/or a heel of cheese (yes, just toss the entire heel into the pot). The more, the merrier!
3

When ready to serve, remove and discard the bay leaves and the heel of cheese.
4

Serve over your favorite pasta.
5

Tip: Make a double batch and freeze the extra for next week!
6

Buon appetito! 🇮🇹