Marinara Sauce

This sauce can be made in a little over 1 hour. It presents very well on its own, but is so good with my meatballs. I can hear Frank singing in the background.
2 28-oz. cans Italian crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 oz. fatback or salt pork OR 2 Tbsp. bacon fat*
1 small onion, […]

Cranberry Sauce

Why homemade? Because it’s so much better than the canned stuff. The canned stuff is good enough but why not give it a whirl? You’ll dazzle your holiday guests when you present this.

4 12-oz. bags cranberries
3 cups white sugar
3+ cups cold water
2 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin (Knox brand is good)

In a 4 - 5 quart […]

Cheese Sauce

A contribution from my sister Sandy. Sandy uses this as a sauce for broccoli and cauliflower all through the Autumn & Winter months. It’s almost difficult to eat broccoli without this sauce; it’s unthinkable at Thanksgiving!

2 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
3 cups milk
2+ cups shredded cheddar cheese

In a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, […]

Smoked Grilling Sauce

This is a tomato-based grilling sauce.

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil - (I use canola)
1 medium onion, diced
2 minced garlic cloves
1 cup canned tomato puree
3/4 cup cider vinegar
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup tomato paste
3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 Tbsp. molasses
3 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. regular yellow ballpark mustard
1 Tbsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. liquid […]

Grilling Sauce

A traditional grilling sauce.

1/4 cup butter
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 cup yellow mustard - regular ballpark
1/4 cup water
Juice of 2 lemons
2 Tbsp. ketchup-style chili sauce
1 Tbsp. white or rice vinegar
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

In a saucepan that is nonreactive, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 10 minutes. […]

Sunday Sauce

I grew up around a lot of Italians where the families always made a Sunday Sauce. They’d even bring “baked macaroni” along on all the park picnic outings. While the sauce simmered on the stove it drove us all crazy with it’s aroma! Here is my rendition.

1 lb. piece of steak, cut into small chunks
1 […]

Fresh Tomato Sauce

No need to slow-cook this one. Use the best tomatoes you can find.

6 good-sized, fresh, ripe tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 small onion, peeled & diced
1 tsp. minced garlic
Sprinkling of kosher salt
Fresh pepper
Fresh basil leaves - optional

In a food processor, puree and strain the tomatoes.

In a large, deep skillet or medium-sized saucepan, […]

Spanish Rice & Beans - II

This recipe is a gift from my sister Sandy. She’s been making this in some form for years. Sometimes she adds 2-3 cut-up hot dogs. It’s so good that I make it about 3 times a month. Plus, it goes as a side with just about any kind of meat. Kids love it. There’s another […]