Make 2 servings of pasta sauce into 4 healthier ones

Kennkaru

...and I'm not talking about just eating half as much!

At this time in the spring, I'm already in the mood for lots of fresh produce, but sadly my garden isn't producing any yet (unless you count the tiny bits of celery that have emerged). So, when I want pasta with a red sauce, I end up buying a canned variety. I like Hunt's for one reason and one reason only- it's SUPER CHEAP. However, one can of Hunt's sauce is only two servings, and a fair amount of it is water.

I like to chop a long stalk of celery, a quarter of a large white onion, and a cup of baby greens (radicchio, baby spinach, etc.) and add them to a blender with the can of sauce. Sometimes I even chop up some carrot and toss it in there. It really depends on what I have on hand in the fridge.

Then I like to roast a red pepper by rubbing it down with EVOO and putting it under the broiler (on HIGH), turning it until each side is blackened. When it's done, I put it in a paper bag and seal it for about 15 minutes. Then the black skin peels off and the center falls right out, taking the seeds with it. I add this roasted red pepper to the blender and choose my setting. If you like chunkier sauce, you want to avoid the "Blend" and "Liquify" options. If you have fresh or dried herbs, now is a good time to add some of those.

If you cook this sauce over low heat for twenty minutes or so, all the flavors will combine into a delicious fresh veggie sauce. The added mass extends the 2 servings to 4, so I usually pop the second 2 servings into a mason jar in the fridge for use a couple days later. (The flavors in the sauce actually improve from sitting in the fridge for a few days too)

Naturally you can do this with canned or fresh tomatoes rather than a prepared pasta sauce if you like, but if you're going that route, I recommend you add a little agave nectar or your favorite natural sweetener to cut down the acidity of the veggies.

Toddrific

I sort of do the same but i don't blend it, I call it Todd-a-touille.