Tomato Sauce with Butter & Onion

Monday 2 November 2015

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I love recipes like this which are so very simple that you can throw them together at the drop of a hat, and yet they end up tasting like you have taken a great effort to put them together.  I guess it is the simplest things in life which bring me the most pleasure.   I don't think cooking has to be complicated in order to taste good.   I don't really enjoy jumping through a bazillion hoops to get to where I want to be and that goes for cooking too!  I did enough of that when I was working.  Now simple and tasty will do it for me.

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That's why when I saw this recipe in my cookbook entitled "Genius Recipes" by Kristen Miglore, I just knew I had to make it.  In fact this is the recipe on the cover of the book, and this is the recipe which tempted me into buying the book in the first place.

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And I am ever so glad I did because all 100 recipes in the book are spectacular.    I highly recommend this book to anyone, and no, I did not get the book for free and I am not being paid to say so.  I quite simply love this book.

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And this simple and delicious recipe is the perfect example of the deliciousness on it's pages.  Attributed to Marcella Hazen originally, it perfectly exemplifies the genius of putting together simple ingredients in a perfect way with the result being optimum deliciousness!

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Three simple ingredients . . .  fresh (or tinned) tomatoes, butter and onions . . . a trinity of fabulous flavours which just meld together in this recipe to make the most delicious tomato sauce ever.

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It needs nothing else, bar some seasoning . . . it's just perfect the way it is.   None of the flavours overwhelm the other  . . .  and yet  . . .  when you are eating it . . . each tantatalizes your mouth  . . .  yep . . . there is butteriness . . .  and rich tomato . . .  and the perfect sublety of onions.  Nothing smacks you in the face, but they all work together in complete harmony, one with the other.   A grating of Parmigiano Reggiano on the top and it was good to go.

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*Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion.*
Serves 6

I adapted this recipe for one which was found in a cookery book which I love entitled Food 52 Genius Recipes.  It's a simple sauce with BIG flavour.   Whoever said that it was the simple things in life which mattered most was right! 

480g canned imported Italian tomatoes, cut up with their juice (2 cups)
(alternately you can use 2 pounds (900g) fresh ripe tomatoes, blanched, peeled and cut into chunks)
70g butter (5 TBS)
1 medium onion, peeled and cut in half
salt
1 to 1 1/2 pounds pasta, cooked, for serving
Fresh ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, for serving


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Put the tomatoes into a large saucepan.   Add the butter, onion halves and some salt.   Bring to the boil, then reduce to a very slow simmer and cook for about 45 minutes, or until it is to your preferred thickness and the onion has imparted it's flavour to the sauce.  Stir occasionally breaking up any large pieces of tomato with the back of a wooden spoon.  Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.   The recipe says to discard the onion, but I kept it in and just mashed it into the tomatoes.  (It was good.)  Toss with your cooked pasta.  I used whole wheat spaghetti.  Serve with the freshly grated cheese.

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Nutritional Values for sauce only:
Calories:  105
Fat: 9.7g
Carbs: 4.8g
Fibre: 1.4g
Sugar:  2.9g
Protein: 1g

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This was TOTALLY delicious.  A new favourite!   You can also see the original recipe here on Food 52.

17 comments

  1. Look awesome Marie !
    Love all your food look delicious :)
    Hugs!

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    1. Thank you so much Gloria! A good camera helps! xoxo

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  2. I wholeheartedly agree about this sauce! This is a wonderful (and so easy) pasta sauce. I first tried this recipe some years ago when I was reading a cookbook written by Marcella Hazan's son, Giuliano, called "The Classic Pasta Cookbook" who was touting his mother's recipe. It's been my go-to pasta sauce ever since. By the way, Giuliano Hazan's book I just mentioned is excellent for all things pasta/sauce.

    Thanks for the book recommendation. That might go on my Wish List!

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    1. I'll have to check the book out Elizabeth! Sounds good. You MUST get this book. It's excellent in all ways! xo

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  3. I have made this..and you are right it is delish and easy..
    why order out? Or buy pre-made in the frozen section? Granted a pot or two to clean..but being mindful of how lucky we are to be able to do this..makes it all enjoyable.
    I have Marcella's Classic Italian cookbook:)

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  4. I've been making a similar recipe for many years--its a great fave at our house for meatless meal! I just love the simplicity of such things... a tin of tomatoes, some butter, an onion... presto--dinner is served! ;o) Happy Week, dear Marie ((LOVE & HUGS))

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    1. I think we like the same things Tracy! Love and hugs back! Xo

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  5. Looks very delicious to me.
    thanks for sharing.

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  6. Hi Marie,

    I just picked up your book recommendation from my Library. Can't wait to delve into it! If it seems like a keeper for me, it'll go on my Wish List.

    Elizabeth

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    1. I think its one of the best books I have gotten this year Elizabeth. It immediately went onto my favourites list! xo

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  7. Oh Marie, what have you done to me! Another cookery book for my collection. Why didn't I know about this book and the website before. I have just spent a lovely hour browsing the website.
    Where did you buy your book?
    Love reading your blog, Pam

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    1. Sorry Pam, I just caught this comment! I bought the book on Amazon! Here is the link for the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Food52-Genius-Recipes-Change-Works/dp/1607747979/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446790087&sr=8-1&keywords=genius+recipes+food+52

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    2. And here is the link for America: http://www.amazon.com/Food52-Genius-Recipes-Change-Works-ebook/dp/B00N6PFEYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446790165&sr=8-1&keywords=genius+recipes

      Many thanks for your lovely comment and words re my blog! xoxo

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  8. Hi Marie,
    This looks a wonderful book. Thankyou, Pam.

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