Marinara Dipping Sauce

by cookingwithauntjuju.com

I am posting this recipe at the recent request from a long-time blogging friend.  We were chatting about this type of sauce and she asked if I would post my recipe.   I have not published this one yet so of course I will share it now and the recipe is below.  This one is for you Liz… 🙂

This is another recipe I have used for a long time especially when the Roma tomatoes are plentiful in the garden and or Farmers Market.  I use to grow a ton of these back when I had my huge garden and I obviously did not want to throw any of them out as seen in my picture below.  That kind of thinking changed the next year!  Note the high deer fence in the 40×120′ part of my garden.  I also had a pumpkin and corn patch.  I was certainly very energetic when I was younger 🙂

Heather among my tomato plants and Dean so proud of what he picked; Denny and Joey hiding in the corn and Tom enjoying grandma’s corn;  and sweet Tommy in my pumpkin patch!  The deer eventually found the unfenced area and it quickly became their breakfast/lunch and dinner.

Heather and my tomato plants_0001  Dean tom pumpkins_0001

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I love tomato season in Michigan and I always  make a few batches of this sauce to have for over the winter.  I do not have the big garden any more but I have a wonderful Farmers Market.  I have adapted this delicious sauce from California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) and I have indicated where I have made changes.

Marinara Sauce for Dipping

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (this was a lot so use only enough to sauté the onions)
  • 2/3 cup onion, minced (or to taste)
  • 3 tbsp. garlic, minced (I use 2 tbsp.)
  • 16 Roma tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch dice (I use large Roma tomatoes, remove the skins and the seeds, then cut them up
  • 1/4 cup chianti or other dry red wine (I use Merlot)
  • 2/3 cup fresh basil, minced (important to use fresh)
  • 3 tbsp. fresh oregano, minced (you could use 1-1/2 tbsp. dried but here again fresh is so much better)
  • 4 tsp. salt (I used 2 tsp. kosher salt)
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste (if you make your own that would be great – I never did – not sure why, probably because it took too long to cook down)

Cook the onion and garlic in a nonstick pan until the onion begins to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the fresh tomatoes, wine, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.  Sip on the leftover wine while cooking!  Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 20 minutes.  Stir in the tomato paste and continue cooking; stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes more.  Remove from the heat and set aside.  Store in your refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.  Makes about 3 cups.

Recipe by cooking with aunt juju  http://cookingwithauntjuju.com/2014/04/06/marinara-dipping-sauce/  

The CPK uses it as a dipping sauce for their Margherita Tortilla Spring Rolls (which I have not published yet).  You could use it over any pasta or try my St. Louis Fried Ravioli.  See also Marinara Sauce for Manicotti, Lasagna and Spaghetti.  This would also be a good base for any pizza like my Tortilla Pizzas on the Grill.

Fresh Roma tomatoes are always the best; heat until you see the skins split.  Cool, then peel.

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26 thoughts on “Marinara Dipping Sauce”

  2. Amazing garden, delicious sauce and sweet memories! It’s a fabulous post X3! I bet that garden was a lot of work – mine is much smaller yet keeps me extremely busy (and dirty!). It’s a shame we have to wait until Labor Day or so for our Michigan Roma’s. I will definitely give this a try when the “good” tomatoes start arriving 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipe!

    Reply

    • Why thank you Nancy – gardening is work and fun at the same time! Some times I wish I lived in a warmer climate where I could get fresh and local tomatoes longer. Try it – the recipe is simple but good – I seem to say that a lot 🙂

      Reply

  3. thanks so much Judi for this recipe for marinara dipping sauce. You seem to be an amazing gardener. Maybe I can get some tips from you! Now that spring is here I am ready to plant my tomatoes! And so excited that I can try this recipe later on in the summer with my home grown tomatoes! And those are your grandsons? They look adorable! 🙂

    Reply

  4. Wow! I’m so impressed with your old garden. It must have been amazing to grow so much and so many good things. So the trick to this marinara sauce looks like the wine, am I right? 🙂 Gorgeous Roma tomatoes!

    Reply

    • Thanks – There is nothing as good as fresh tomatoes to make your own sauce. Good luck with your garden 🙂 I have only a few raised beds now but I will have a couple of tomato plants, not 30!

      Reply

    • Thank you so much for nominating me for this award. For the time being I have decided not to participate in this part of blogging. I enjoy your blog as well – so much fun reading all of the different posts 🙂 Thanks again as I do appreciate it.

      Reply

  9. Your marinara dipping sauce sounds great. I’ve got tomato seedlings that have just popped out of the seed starter. I haven’t grown roma tomatoes in quite a few years but seeing your post may have me planting a couple. 🙂

    Reply

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