BASIC TOMATO SAUCE

I know many of you have this recipe, but it’s worth repeating.  In honor of my mother for Mother’s Day…this sauce will always be recognized as Grandma Rose’s tomato sauce and meatballs. 
 
Ingredients:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, minced
• 4 cloves (about 2 tablespoons) chopped fresh garlic
• 102-ounce can – also called #10 cans, (from Costco) chopped tomatoes with puree or #10 can Marzano tomatoes with 16 ounces tomato paste
• 3 cups water (rinse out can with water to get all the good sauce from bottom)
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1-teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons sugar

In a large saucepan, heat olive oil; sauté the onion on low heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring often until softened.  Add garlic; sauté another 3 minutes, stirring often. Add can of sauce, water, red wine, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and sugar.  Stir; cover; cook on LOW heat for 45 minutes, stirring often.  Sauce should be at a low simmer at this point.  You can continue to cook for another hour, if desired, but sauce is done after 45 minutes or so.  Taste for seasoning.  Cool to room temperature; store in containers.  Freeze for 6 months or refrigerate up to 1 week.  Makes about 4-5 quarts of sauce.