Do you use a secret ingredient in one of your meals to make it taste fantastic or to add nutrients? In today's episode I talk about one of my secret ingredients for my homemade tomato sauce. It is the one, the only...drumroll please....THE CARROT! 

I use carrots for 3 reasons: 

• to reduce the acidity of the tomatoes
• to add a natural sweetness instead of using sugar
• to sneakily add extra veggies to my kids dietary repertoire

Growing up with an Italian mother, purchasing jarred sauce was a BIG SIN in my family (LOL) so I have never done that. I have always made my own.  If you would like my recipe, click here to see the video or if you don't like videos, I have posted it below.  

INGREDIENTS: 

• Three 28oz cans Italian plum tomatoes
• Garlic, chopped (never let anyone tell you how much garlic to use...even me!) 
• Two or three Tablespoons olive oil 
• One small carrot, grated on a plane grater (not shredded, minced, chopped, sliced or diced.  GRATED, I mean it!) 
• Fresh basil, chopped, or about 2 teaspoons dried herbs of your choice 
• Salt and pepper to taste  

METHOD: 

• In a large pan on medium heat, saute garlic in olive oil just until fragrant (about 30 seconds) 
• Pour in tomatoes with juice
• Add in grated carrot 
• Add dried herbs if using (if using fresh basil, wait until the end) 
• Stir and mash up tomatoes with masher or back of a fork (alternatively you can run them through the blender BEFORE cooking)
• Cover pot and bring to boil  
• Bring heat to low, take the cover half off of the pot and let simmer about 30-40 minutes until the sauce thickens to your preference. 
• Add fresh basil and serve

Makes a healthy amount of sauce, but if it's too much, freeze it.  Keeps in the freezer for 6 months. When ready, either thaw or pop it frozen in a covered pot on low heat. Stir occasionally and serve when hot. 

What is your favorite cookbook these days and why? 

I have many and the one that I share today is one that I have used over and over again for the last 10 years. It is called "The Best Homemade Kids Snacks On The Planet" but Laura Fuentes. It's great if you have kids AND great if you don't.  

What I love about this lady (she wrote 4 cookbooks and I have all of them) is that she actually tries the recipes multiple times before she posts them.  Her handle on social media is www.momables.com or www.laurafuentes.com.   I love how she provides options for nut free, dairy free, egg free, and grain free. Her recipes are easy to follow, don't require one million ingredients and she is very budget friendly.   

Some of my favorite recipes in her book that I highlight here in my episode are her pancakes, kitchen sink muffins, breakfast cookies, DIY taco seasoning, fried rice, fruit leather, chocolate syrup, flourless chocolate cookies, and more.  

These links are NOT affiliate links. I just wanted you to know about them just because.  

In my episode I mention a video I made about homemade pie crust. Click here to see it. 

If you are looking for 5 GREAT chocolate recipes for you or your family that are easy to make click here. 

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Host Cristina Stephenson is a half Italian firecracker who is married to a sweet and feisty Alabama country boy. She has three shin kickers who give her gray hair and indigestion.  As a young child, Cristina lived in the upstairs apartment of a two-story home.  She went downstairs for dinner to her Nonna’s apartment every Sunday for an Italian feast.  These meals had a profound impact on her life.  This is a podcast about building connections through food.

What is your favorite cookbook these days and why. I have many and the one that I share today is one that I have used over and over again for the last 10 years. It is called "The Best Homemade Kids Lunches On The Planet" but Laura Fuentes. It's great if you have kids AND great if you don't.  What I love about this lady (she wrote 4 cookbooks and I have all of them) is that she actually tries the recipes multiple times before she posts them.  Her handle on social media is www.momables.com or www.laurafuentes.com.   I love how she provides options for nut free, dairy free, egg free, and grain free. Her recipes are easy to follow, don't require one million ingredients and she is very budget friendly.   Some of my favorite recipes tin her book that I highlight here in my episode are her pancakes, kitchen sink muffins, breakfast cookies, DIY taco seasoning, fried rice, fruit leather, chocolate syrup, flourless chocolate cookies, and more.  These links are NOT affiliate links. I just wanted you to know about them just because.  If you feel inspired to support my channel, click here.  Host Cristina Stephenson is a half Italian firecracker who is married to a sweet and feisty Alabama country boy. She has three shin kickers who give her gray hair and indigestion.  As a young child, Cristina lived in the upstairs apartment of a two-story home.  She went downstairs for dinner to her Nonna’s apartment every Sunday for an Italian feast.  These meals had a profound impact on her life.  This is a podcast about building connections through food.