As you’ve all heard before we are a family of dippers.  I love to dip and it seems I have passed this on to my kids.  My family used to laugh at me when I was a kid  because at dinner time, whether at home or at a restaurant, I was always surrounded by 7 or 8 little ramekins filled with various sauces, dressings, and all sorts of yummy dippables to dunk.  My boys have taken that up as well and so we’ve devised a healthy marinara sauce for them to dunk into.  It’s perfect for topping your pasta, dunking bread or bread sticks, fresh veggies, or even some fried mozzarella or zucchini.  Be sure to make a lot of this one, freeze it to keep on hand!  You won’t believe how good this tastes with so many veggies inside

2 T                                  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 cloves                        garlic

¼ c                                chopped onion

¼ c                                    chopped red pepper

¼ c                                    chopped carrots

¼ c                                    chopped mushrooms

1 28 oz can                        san marzano chopped tomato

1 ½ T                                    dried Italian seasoning

S&P

1 box                                    linguine, spaghetti, whatever floats your boat

In a large pot or dutch oven heat the oil over medium high heat.  When the oil is hot add onion, carrots, and mushrooms.  Sautee until veggies are soft and onions are translucent, about 7-9 minutes.  When your veggies are soft add the garlic to your pot.  Cook for 1-2 minutes stirring often.  Sprinkle in S&P and your Italian seasoning.  Stir.  Pour in tomatoes and stir to combine.  Bring your sauce up to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.  Simmer for 20 minutes then puree your sauce so it’s smooth.  You can use a hand blender, a food processor, or a stand up blender.

Be sure to make this one in large quantities.  You can double or triple this recipe and keep it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it in ziploc bags so you always have a healthy marinara sauce on hand for pasta, or veggie dipping!

If you’re here from the Tuesday Follows, welcome welcome! Be sure to leave us a note to let us know you were here so we can return the favor. Now, what can I get ya to nosh on?