Now that I am not working in an office setting, my mornings are completely different! Pick up things left out overnight by my 3 year old, wash whatever remaining dishes, washing a load or 2 of clothes, etc. Then it's time to think about Lunch. Hmmm. Well since I don't eat out for lunch anymore, I decided to make our own "Take Out." General Tso Chicken with Egg Drop Soup. It's actually not that difficult. Cut up some chicken tenders into the size you like, toss them in a cornstarch/soy sauce batter and fry them up. Mix up a spicy sweet and tangy sauce...toss chicken in with some green onion and serve over white rice. Yummy! Since I didn't realize I was starting a bog until Wednesday, I didn't take any pictures of that one. :-( I'll make it again soon and will post then!
Later in the afternoon, I spoke with my friend Leslie and she happened to ask for my homemade spaghetti sauce recipe. No problem! So I took photos of that one!
On to dinner!
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2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
1 large can of whole tomatoes
1 medium onion - chopped
3 cloves garlic - minced (or put thru garlic press-- grating works too)
1 teaspoon dried Oregano or fresh
a pinch of red pepper flakes
2-3 tablespoons sugar (depending on your taste)
2 teaspoons kosher salt (again depending on your taste)
1/4 cup red wine (optional)*
2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)*
1 and 1/2 cups water
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
*I have totally made this recipe many many times without red wine or tomato paste and it is still yummy!
Begin by draining your can of tomatoes and crushing them with your hands. Save the drained liquid for the sauce. Squeeze out as much as you can!
Heat the oil in the pan while you dice up the onion and garlic.
Saute the onions for a couple of minutes, then add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Saute for about 8 minutes or until the tomatoes begin to stick a little and leave a film on the pan.We are creating a caramelized tomato flavor so this is definitely what we want to happen!
Now add in the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds or until you smell the garlic.
Put in your tomato paste and red wine and give it a good stir!
Add in your reserved tomato liquid, some of the basil, and add about 1 and 1/2 cups water to loosen it up. cover and simmer the sauce while you brown your hamburger meat.
Drain your ground beef and add into the sauce. Check for seasoning. I like my sauce on the sweet side, so I typically add the rest of the sugar and salt now. Cover and simmer while you cook your noodles.
I added in a big handful of Parmesan cheese and stirred it around before I plated it all up.
I love any kind of cheese.
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