Hello there! My name is Caitlin, and I am a food scientist, chef-in-training, recipe developer, & food connoisseur. I am passionate about all things cooking, from restaurants, to recipes, to ingredients, to my gear. I love shopping, curating, & sharing my tips and tricks with you, so that you can do your very best work.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 c sicilian olive oil

  • 28 oz can of D.O.P. san marzano whole peeled tomatoes

  • 5 large cloves of garlic, minced

  • 3 basil leaves

  • pinch dried marjoram

  • kosher salt to taste

  • dash crushed red or Calabrian chilies (optional)

  • Parmesan rind (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pour canned tomatoes into a bowl and crush by hand, save the residual in can

  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet

  3. Add garlic to the pan, sauté for two minutes stirring frequently so it doesn't burn

  4. Pour in your tomatoes plus about a quarter of the can filled with water (enough to rinse down the sides)

  5. Add in basil leaves and stir to incorporate

  6. You may also add a tsp of marjoram, oregano, or dry basil if you don't have fresh -whatever you like

  7. Optional: add Parmesan rind

  8. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, or all day, you’ll know it’s ready to serve when the oil and tomato is emulsified

  9. Season with a few dashes of crushed red pepper and about 1 tsp of kosher salt to taste, when finished simmering

Every Italian needs to have a classic marinara recipe in their arsenal. I love this recipe because I grew up eating red-sauced dishes multiple times a week. Whether my mom was making spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, seafood fra diavolo, or mussels marinara, we always had red SAUCE in our diets (not gravy). There is a bookcase full of canned tomatoes in my parents’ basement, still stocked at all times. I like to make this on Sundays to use in various ways throughout the week-even if that means just dipping fresh bread into it. If you want to do this, then I suggest doubling the recipe. If you simmer this for a long time (a couple hours or more) I’d also suggest to cover it to ensure you don’t loose too much moisture. If this occurs, just add a little water back into the pot & you’ll be fine :)