Tomato Sauce with Vodka

 VODKA SAUCE FOR LASAGNA OR SPAGHETTI

This is a slow cooker version of an old favorite that is easy to make 

and has a dairy free option, as well. This takes some time, but very little attention, but you may never want to buy sauce in a jar again!

Mince and sauté:

1 medium onion and 3 or 4 garlic cloves

Boil a large kettle of water and immerse 8 large or 12 medium tomatoes. Let them cook for about 2 minutes; then remove them with a slotted spoon. Let the tomatoes cool slightly and slip the skins. Take out some of the seeds as you cut the tomatoes and put them into the crock pot. But don’t worry about getting all of the seeds out.

Peel and chop two good sized carrots. Add them to the crock pot.

Add:  Oregano, thyme, chopped rosemary, and basil. Fresh is always best, but use what you have.

Put all of the above ingredients into the cooker on high for 3 hours.

Cool, stir with hand blender; add salt and pepper to taste.

Add ½ cup vodka and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Just before serving, add 8 oz mascarpone cheese (or a cup of full fat coconut milk for a non-dairy option) and meat such as cooked sausage or ground beef.

You can obviously leave the vodka out of this recipe.  The vodka reportedly acts as a flavor enhancer, so there’s your iron clad reason for using it! The alcohol cooks away so it is safe to serve to anyone.

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the world.      Marcus Aurelius