As my first blog post, it makes sense to begin with the #1 recipe from my childhood... my Nanny's (my Maternal Grandmother's) homemade spaghetti sauce (I could eat it with a spoon, it's that good)! Growing up, I lived just a 5 minute drive from my mother's parents' home in Waterford, Michigan. My Grandmother was born in Italy in the small village of Piane Crati, Calabria, Italy, and immigrated to the United States at the age of seven. Her husband, who I call Pa, was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota and later lived in Chicago, Illinois. On this side of the family, there are relatives that remained in New York City (the Bronx to be exact), as well as in California, and the suburbs of Chicago. It was, in fact, the car industry that brought many of my ancestors to Detroit, Michigan.
So, it is the home of my Nanny that I always remember smelling of homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stovetop. It is an unforgettable memory that is evoked anytime I decide to make her recipe in my own kitchen. My mother developed her own version of this sauce, but I think I have captured the essence that was my Nanny's recipe, and below I am revealing this golden nugget of Southern Italian cuisine to you...
Here is 'The Best Spagehetti Sauce' recipe you have ever tasted... and it is remarkably quite easy!
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Nanny's Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients:
1 bone-in pork chop
1 - 28 ounce can of Hunt's crushed tomatoes
2 - 15 ounce cans of Hunt's plain tomato sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions:
Coat the bottom of a large saucepan with olive oil. Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the pork chop brown on both sides - about 2 minutes per side.
Remove the pork and set aside. Add the chopped onion to the pan and saute until translucent and tender. Add the minced garlic to the onion and saute for a few more minutes to release the flavor. Add in the dried (or fresh if available) spices along with the meat. Saute mixture one minute longer.
Pour in the cans of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce (My grandparents swear by Hunt's brand, so use it!). Cover the sauce and simmer on low heat for at least 1 hour. Ideally, this sauce would simmer for at least 3-4 hours. Serve over hot pasta cooked al dente and sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese or whatever salty Italian cheese you prefer.
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| Simple and oh so delicious! |
So, you see, this is a simple, yet classic Southern Italian sauce recipe that will never fail you! I always stock my pantry with cans of Hunt's tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes for those days that I need to make a sauce that is quick and delicious. I have used this recipe for baked pasta dishes, lasagne, and chicken or eggplant parmesan as well. It's to die for! You could also incorporate it into a homemade tomato soup if you are in the mood :-) Ideally, you would make homemade meatballs in tandem with this recipe so that you can also add the meatballs into the simmering sauce to impart some extra meaty flavor and depth.
Stay tuned for this perfect compliment to this spaghetti sauce... MEATBALLS!!!
I will include both a beef as well as a turkey meatball recipe for those who are looking for something on the lighter side to pair with your pasta dinners! Both are amazing and will not disappoint. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
And, on that note, cheers to great food, wine, and amazing company! If you try this recipe, I would love to hear how it turned out in your own kitchen.
Till next time, this Librarian turned Foodie is signing off!
