Tomato Sauce Variations Curry Southwest And Provencal Food

PROVENCALE SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat a medium sized saucepan over medium heat.
• When hot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, then the chopped onion. Season with a little salt and pepper.
• Cook the onions for about 6 minutes until they begin to soften but don't let them brown. Be sure to stir often so they don't burn.
• Add the tomatoes, cover the pan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes to let the tomatoes release their juices. Again, don't forget to stir to help things along.
• Add the wine and simmer the tomatoes uncovered on medium-low to medium heat for about 50 minutes or until the sauce gets thick and there is very little liquid left.
• Using a blender, food processor or food mill, whatever you have available in your kitchen, carefully puree the sauce and reserve. Clean and dry the saucepan to cook the garlic, capers and olives.
• Heat the saucepan over medium-low heat and when hot, add the ¼ cup of olive oil.
• Add the chopped garlic and saute for about 5 minutes until golden but don't let the garlic burn.
• Add the capers and chopped olives and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Transfer the cooked tomato sauce back to the saucepan and stir in the fresh herbs. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
• The sauce is ready to be served over chicken, fish, meat or pasta. If you don't use it all up, freeze some for a later meal. Great to have this sauce on-hand.

JULIA CHILD'S PROVENçALE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with salt and cook slowly for about 10 minutes, until tender but not browned. Sprinkle on the flour and cook slowly for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally; do not brown.
• Meanwhile, fit a food processor with the coarse grating blade. Working in batches to avoid overfilling the machine, push the tomatoes through the feed tube to make a coarse purée.
• Stir the tomatoes, sugar, garlic, herb bouquet, fennel, basil, saffron, coriander, orange peel and 1 teaspoon salt into the pot. Cover and cook slowly for 10 minutes, so the tomatoes will render more of their juice. Then uncover and simmer for about an hour, until thick. The sauce is done when it tastes thoroughly cooked and is thick enough to form a mass in the spoon. Remove herb bouquet and taste. Season with salt, pepper, sugar and tomato paste, and simmer two minutes more. The sauce may be used immediately, refrigerated or frozen for up to 6 months.

PROVENCAL TOMATO SAUCE (USES FRESH TOMATOES)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy pot. Add the onions and saute for about 10 minutes, until they are translucent.
• Add in the garlic and bay leaves, let that saute about 5 minutes more.
• Add in the tomates, salt, pepper and herbs - simmer for 20 minutes.
• When the tomatoes have cooked down, add in the tomato paste and simmer for another 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to your liking.
• Remove the bay leaves and your sauce is ready!

TOMATOES PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Remove and discard stems from the tomatoes and cut in half crosswise (parallel to stem end). Chop the parsley and garlic together to make persillade. There should be 1/2 cup.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• In each of two heavy skillets heat about 1 tablespoon of the oil until very hot. Put the tomatoes cut side down in the skillets and cook over high heat about 2 minutes, covered, until the tomatoes soften slightly. Arrange the tomatoes cut side up in a gratin dish suitable for serving. Sprinkle with the pepper and salt.
• To the drippings in the pan add the remainder of the oil and the persillade. Mix 10 to 15 seconds to cook slightly; divide equally and spread on top of the tomatoes. Put the tomatoes in the warm oven for a few minutes before serving. If the tomatoes must wait 30 minutes or more before being served, saute as directed and keep warm in a 180-degree oven, but don't add the persillade until serving time.

TOMATO CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a skillet and add onion, bell pepper, garlic, curry powder and, thyme. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until vegetables are softened. Add tomatoes and liquid and simmer gently for 5 minutes. You may add water if sauce becomes too thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

MARCELLA HAZAN'S TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, their juices, the butter and the onion halves in a saucepan. Add a pinch or two of salt.
• Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with a spoon. Add salt as needed.
• Discard the onion before tossing the sauce with pasta. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of pasta.