Big Batch Tomato Sauce

Having tomato sauce on hand is one of the best tools to a quick meal you can have.  Having tomato sauce ready to go gives you the freedom to throw together quick dinners like Chicken Parmigiana, Sausage and Peppers, Lasagna, Baked Penne Ala Vodka, Spaghetti and Meatballs; and the list goes on and on.  Whenever I make tomato sauce I always make a BIG batch, divide it into quart size freezer bags and freeze a few ice cube trays full.  The quart size bags are the perfect amount to make a quick dinner for my husband, daughter and myself.  The tomato sauce ice cubes are perfect for making a quick lunch for my daughter.  Simply boil a few frozen cheese raviolis, drain, throw in a cube or two of frozen tomato sauce, stir to melt and serve.

Ingredients:

1 stick Butter
1/3 cup Olive Oil
4 Yellow Onions, small dice
1 head Garlic, peeled and chopped (go ahead use your food processor)
1# Carrots, peeled and shredded (again, use your food processor)

2 Cups White Wine
1 Big Can (5lb 10oz) of San Marzano Tomatoes OR 3 Cans (1lb 13oz)
2 Cans Tomato Sauce (1lb 13oz)
1 Tsp Chili Flakes
1 Tbl Dried Oregano

In the biggest, heavy bottom pan you have melt the butter and heat the oil.

 Add onions, carrots and garlic.  Season.  Sweat for approx 5 min or until garlic is fragrant and onion is translucent.

Add white wine and cook until the "raw" alcohol smell is gone.  The wine will be almost completely reduced.  Pulse whole tomatoes in your food processor.  Add tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Add chili flakes and oregano.

Season.  Taste... remember what it tastes like.... raw, acidic tomatoes.  Cook over low heat for about an hour.  Taste... it should taste sweet and mellow... you have arrived!  Season again, this time you can add a little sugar if you would like. 

Note:
Buy San Marzano Tomatoes if possible, they are a little more expensive but totally worth it!  They are more sweet and do not require cooking as long.