Fiore Marinara Sauce

This simple Fiore Marinara Sauce has abundant flavor. My husband is Italian and this was his Grandmother’s marinara sauce.  I never had the privilege of meeting Lucy Fiore, but I understand she was quite a life force.  This is the marinara sauce I use for almost everything requiring a red sauce; I use it for lasagna, I add Italian sausage or ground beef for a Bolognese, I serve plain it over pasta, zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.

Serves: 4-5
Prep Time: About 30 minutes
Cook Time: About 1 hour and 30 minutes
HINT: You can use a food processor for the onion, garlic, carrots and celery to save chopping time and to make a smoother sauce. 

2 – 28 ounce cans Whole Plum tomatoes (San Marzano are my favorite)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium white or yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot or 2 medium, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup port or red wine
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced (1 teaspoon, dried)
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
pinch of oregano
12 fresh basil leaves, torn or chiffonade

1. In a medium size bowl add the tomatoes and juice.  Remove and discard the hard core on each tomato. Gently crush the tomatoes with your hands or a potato masher. Set aside.
2. In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, over medium heat, heat the olive oil.  Add the onion and sauté; about 5-7 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the  carrot, celery, garlic and sauté until softened; about 8-10 minutes.  Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Stir in the tomatoes, port/red wine, rosemary, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes and oregano.
5. Raise the heat, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a very low simmer, cover and cook for about 1 hour or until the sauce is slightly thickened.
6. Stir in the basil and remove from heat.

SERVING: Serve over a pasta or vegetable of your choice.

STORING: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days; will last for 2 months in the freezer. 

RESOURCE LINKS:

Double Masher

Breville 16 Cup Food Processor

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 6.75 Quart Oval French (Dutch) Oven

Terra Cotta Pasta Co

Ravioli from Terra Cotta Pasta Co with Fiore Marinara