Spaghetti Sauce Rurale

Sauce

I'm not sure what makes this sauce "rural" but it is simple enough to be done even out in the woods. This makes 24 (serving-spoon-full) servings. The preparation time is low, less than ten minutes, but like many sauces the cooking time is as long as you care to stretch it — spaghetti sauce gets better the longer you cook it.

Ingredients/Shopping List
• chopped fresh basil (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
• 1/4-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 84 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• Variation: substitute 3 cans (15oz) of hunts tomato sauce and add water as needed (about 2 cans).

Directions

Saute onion and pepper in oil until soft. Add brown sugar, garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices. Simmer on low for 1-2 hours. Add chopped fresh basil just before serving.

For a meat sauce, brown about 1lb very lean ground beef and drain very thoroughly before adding it to the sauce. If making meat sauce, you might wish to reserve the onions and green pepper and cook them with the meat instead.