Spicy Italian Sausage Red Sauce

Spicy Italian Sausage Red Sauce

Serves 8

3-4 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 lbs Hot Italian Sausage
2 (28 oz) cans Whole peeled tomatoes, or 28 oz fresh peeled tomatoes
2 large onions, diced
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp dried Basil
1 1/2 tsp dried Oregano
2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups stock (chicken, vegetable or beef)

Heat a large sauce pan over medium high heat.  Add 3-4 Tbsp Olive Oil and heat for approximately 45 seconds (or until you see it begin to shimmer).  Add sausage and let sit for about 3 minutes, do not stir.  Once the sausage begins to brown slightly, stir.  Allow to caramelize on all sides, then add garlic and onions.  Sauté mixture until onions begin to soften and brown slightly.  Add dried spices and salt and pepper.  Stir mixture together then add tomatoes and stock.

Allow sauce to simmer on medium/low for approximately 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15-20 minutes.  If mixture becomes too dry add 1/2 cup water at a time until it loosens to your desired consistency.

Serve sauce with your favorite pasta and enjoy!!

How to peel fresh tomatoes "Concasse"

How To Peel Fresh Tomatoes

1 quart boiling water
Bowl filled with ice water
slotted spoon

Remove the core for the tomato.  Cut an "X" in the bottom of the tomato using a pairing knife.  Place tomato in boiling water for 1 - 2 minutes.  Remove tomato from boiling water and place into ice water bath for about 30 seconds.  Remove tomato from ice water and remove skin.  Squeeze out seeds and juice from center of tomato.

For a complete "Concasse" rough chop the tomato.  The whole peeled tomatoes can be used in sauces, soups and stews or canned for use in the future.

Chipotle Shredded Pork

Chipotle Shredded Pork

Serves 12

6 lbs boneless pork shoulder
2 large sweet onions, large dice
1 1/2 Tbsp salt
1 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
1 7 oz can chipotles in Adobo sauce
1/2 cup water
3-4 Tbsp canola oil

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
In a large cast iron dutch oven over high heat add 3-4 Tbsp canola oil  Heat oil and add onions and sauté until lightly browned.  Season pork with salt and garlic powder and mix to coat pork evenly.  Once onions have caramelized add diced chipotles to pot then add pork.  Continue to heat over high heat to brown pork.  Pour in 1/2 cup water.  Place tight fitting lid on pot and place in a 300 degree oven.  Set timer for 4 hours.

When done, remove pot from oven and shred pork with tongs.  If the sauce is to thin, place on stove and heat to reduce.

Serve with your favorite tortillas as tacos or in burritos or with rice and beans.