This was my most asked for recipe in both 2023 and 2024.

1-1/2 lbs. fresh tomatoes ( I grow Amish paste/can them, buy Roma, and you can use cherry too) I cook very quickly the fresh tomatoes in order to take the skins off, and then I go ahead and chop up the 1-1/2 lbs. of fresh tomatoes.

2-3 medium sized carrots washed, peeled, quartered, and then chopped in food processor or diced by hand

1 large yellow onion peeled, quartered, and then chopped in food processor or diced by hand

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 TBSP of olive oil

1 qt. chicken or beef stock

28 oz can of San Marzano tomatoes

1 TBSP of tomato paste

Fresh or dried 1 TBSP finely chopped oregano and basil, and 1/4-1/2 c. finely chopped parsley (if dry measure out dried ingredients.

1/2 tsp. dried red pepper flakes

Pinch of sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Start by growing or buying Amish Paste, Roma, store bought Roma, or sweet heirloom cherry tomatoes.

Bring to a boil 6 cups of water and add 1 and 1/2 lbs. of fresh or store bought tomatoes to it, simmer 2-3 minutes, take out of water, place tomatoes in cold water with ice, or cold water if you don’t have ice and slip the skins right off. Chop the tomatoes and then set aside.

In a sauce pan add 1 TBSP of olive oil

Dice your carrots by hand or in a processor, same with onions and add them to the olive oil

Soften the carrots and onions. Just before they are done add the minced garlic. Cook 1 -2 minutes and remove from heat.

In a big stock pan add the skinless and chopped tomatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, 1 qt of chicken or beef stock, and 1 TBSP of tomato paste. Bring to a boil for 3-5 minutes and then lower heat to a simmer. Add in fresh or dried herbs, pinch of sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 2 hours or more or until ready to serve. At any time after the initial 2 hours or more of simmer (to get just the right taste, color, and consistency) you can add fully cooked meat, or sauteed mushrooms, or additional veggies (par-cooked, or almost done). Serve over al dente noodles with freshly ground parmesan cheese.

Freezes well.

Buon appetito!