After watching this show on Hulu, I was inspired to make the vegetarian tomato sauce featured in the last episode. It is a wonderful sauce, however I needed to add some honey (or sugar) to offset its acidity. One recipe I found online adds 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda instead but have never tried this.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of olive oil

6 cloves garlic

¾ teaspoon hot pepper flakes or adjust to your taste (optional)

1/2 -3/4 cup of basil leaves, packed

1/2 cup of butter

1 onion peeled, cut in half

3 cups of San Marzano tomatoes

1/2 of a fresh, ripe tomato (optional)

1 pound of spaghetti or fettucine

1/2 cup parmesan cheese for serving + extra basil leaves

salt, pepper and sweetener to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Add oil, garlic, hot pepper flakes, and basil to a small saucepan. Heat over medium low. Once the ingredients start to sizzle, cook for 45 seconds – 2 minutes, until the basil is starting to wilt. Remove from the heat and set aside. 
  • Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, cut side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until it’s just starting to brown. Add the San Marzano tomatoes, and mash with a potato masher until they are broken up into chunks. (Add 1/2 of a fresh, ripe tomato now.)
  • Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. 
  • Meanwhile, make your spaghetti according to package directions, minus 2 minutes. You want to get the pasta out just before it’s al dente so it can finish cooking in the tomatoes. 
  • Pour your cool(ish) oil in a food processor, and chop. 
  • Add the oil to the tomatoes, and simmer for another five minutes. 
  • Remove the onion. Taste for salt and pepper, and adjust accordingly. Add the spaghetti, cook for another two minutes until al dente. (Or, finish cooking pasta, drain and add sauce.)
  • Remove to a serving platter, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of good olive oil.
  • Enjoy!

Note: I add 1/2 of a fresh, ripe tomato to the sauce when it is cooking and mash it into the sauce when it’s finished.