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Roasted Tomato Sauce

September 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I had quite a few Tomatoes from my CSA box. Every week I’d get more and more tomatoes. I just didn’t know what to do with them all.  They were all a beautiful shade of red, but you can only eat so many Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella salads before you go crazy!  So I decided to make a Roasted Tomato Sauce out of them. I had a bunch of onions, garlic and fresh oregano from my CSA also, so it worked out quite well.

There are so many different things you can do with tomato sauce. It’s so versatile. We chose to have this sauce on some pasta, but it works so well for pizza, chicken, etc. Adjust the ingredients as you see fit – some people don’t like sweet sauces, some do. I love sweet sauce! So add in more brown sugar if you please!

 

  • 8 large tomatoes
  • 2 small onions
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • dash of balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
  • salt
  • pepper

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the tomatoes into quarters, and lay them skin side down. Cut up the onions and smash the garlic and put them on the baking sheet with the tomatoes, making sure it’s all in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil.  Season with salt, pepper and 1 teaspoon of the fresh oregano.

Single layer on baking sheet

Up close and personal

Roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You want the edges of the tomatoes and onion to start getting brown. Carefully put everything in a blender (Vitamix!!)  or food processor, and pulse until smooth.

Fresh out of the oven

Transfer the pureed contents to your favorite Le Creuset dutch oven and heat over medium heat. Add in the red wine, brown sugar, and dash of balsamic vinegar. Stir. Add in the can of tomato paste and stir until all of the lumps are out.

Let simmer

The tomato paste should thicken it up a bit. Turn the heat down to low. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of fresh oregano and let the sauce simmer for about 25-30 minutes.

Serve with your favorite pasta, or use on some homemade pizza!

 

 

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Filed Under: CSA, Italian, Recipes, Sauces, What's in the Box? · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

New York City Wine and Food Festival ~ September 29 – October 2, 2011

September 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

So you know I’m all about the Food and Wine Festivals! They are so much fun and it’s a great place to meet new people. I’ve been to some amazing events at both the Atlantic City Wine and Festival and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.  It’s almost New York City Wine and Food Festival time! Can you believe it’s coming up so quickly?!

The Festival runs from September 29th through October 2, 2011. There are still tickets available to many events, so be sure to get yours before they sell out!

These are the top 5 events (in no particular order) that I think look amazing:

Rock & Bowl with Anne Burrell

Chef Anne Burrell, host of Food Network’s Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America, is celebrating the release of her very first publishing endeavor, Cook Like A Rock Star, with an over-the-top bash at Lucky Strike, the most luxurious bowling establishment in the city. All guests will get a free copy of Cook Like A Rock Star while competing for lucious prizes and the right to be crowned the first Rock and Bowl champion. Side bets will be taking place inside Lucky Strike’s vast billiard parlor, while a full bar will help quench your thirst as you pursue spares, strikes, and turkeys. Recipes from Cook Like A Rock Star are the featured food.This night of mingling, snacking, sipping, and bowling is sure to be unforgettable, especially with Anne Burrell as the life of the party!

How much fun does that sound?! It’s sure to be a great time!

The Neelys’ Brunch

Food Network’s favorite married couple The Neelys are excited to welcome patrons to their brand new NYC establishment, Neely’s BBQ Parlor, on the Upper East Side. This spectacular southern family-style Jazz Brunch will feature Memphis-style BBQ favorites like slow roasted half chicken and wet glazed port ribs. This is the first restaurant for Pat & Gina outside of their home base of Tennessee. The Neelys’ Brunch will combine sassiness, cocktails, Jazz, champagne and BBQ into a splendid mid-morning affair.

Who doesn’t love some good BBQ?!

Godiva Chocolatier presents SWEET sponsored by Absolut Vodka and Brancott Estate hosted by Sandra Lee

Now in its fifth year, the event that put the Festival on the map is taking the N train downtown to a new venue for an even SWEETER 2011 experience. Godiva Chocolatier presents SWEET sponsored by Absolut Vodka and Brancott Estate hosted by Sandra Lee has relocated to 82 Mercer, a one-of-a-kind Soho locale where pastry chefs and bakeries from across the city will showcase their most scrumptious desserts. Godiva Senior Chef Chocolatier David Funaro will showcase a new dessert inspired by Godiva’s newest truffle piece Chocolate Éclair from its soon to be launched Ultimate Dessert Truffles Collection. From sultry cupcakes to sexy crème brulee, Sandra Lee, of the hit Food Network show Semi-Homemade Cooking, will bring guests into her nectarous sanctuary filled with sugary sensations, candy creations, caramel clusters and much more at this one and only late night dessert party. Just like the hostess herself, this night is always filled with arousing, decadent creations.

I’m all about the desserts so you know this is right up my alley!

George Stone Crab at Dream Beach with Host Claire Robinson

Join Miami favorite, George Stone Crab and Food Network star and host, Claire Robinson, to watch the sun set on the city and the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Seasonal stone crabs, sumptuous sides and delicious cocktails while sitting poolside at The Dream Downtown will have you mistaking the Meatpacking District for Miami.

Stone Crabs and Cocktails?! Yes, please!

Party in Guy’s Garage

Food Network Superstar Guy Fieri wants you to celebrate like your parents are out of town. You’ll need a can of Red Bull for Party in Guy’s Garage: The Festival Closing Party. This night is one part 16 Candles and one part Porky’s mixed with vodka-inspired cocktails, beer trucks, and finger-lickin’ foods to help you rock out way past curfew. The Ronald Reagans 80s Tribute Band will deliver the tunes as clips from some of your favorite movies play in the backdrop of Highline Stages, the newest venue in the Festival’s official home of the Meatpacking District. As with any Guy party, the energy will be intensely electric –making you wish the Festival did not have to come to a close. Casual, funky dress required—torn jeans and t-shirts preferred. So whether you’re an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a geek all are welcome to attend this late-night Breakfast Club.

No explanation needed. This sounds like a blast!

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Filed Under: Atlantic City Wine and Food Festival, Food Network, Food Network Chefs, New York City Wine and Food Festival, SOBE 2011, South Beach Food & Wine Festival, Travel · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,