Simple Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 4  to 6 basil leaves 
• 64 ounce tomatoes crushed canned
• 1  carrots chopped
• 1 stalk celery chopped
• 2  bay leaves dried
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 0.5 cup olive oil extra-virgin
• 1 small onion chopped
• 6 servings sea salt and pepper black freshly ground
• 4 tablespoons butter unsalted

Equipment

• food processor
• bowl
• pot
• ziploc bags

Directions

1. In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat.
2. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes.
3. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper.
4. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
5. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and simmer covered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick.
6. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
7. Add half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
8. If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.