Joe’s Original Red Sauce Recipe

Be Still My Heart

Try my family recipe that’s the perfect mash-up of Italy and Texas!

The sauce infuses an Italian red sauce with the tongue-tingling taste of Texas, compliments of our friend – the jalapeño. Bold and spicy, the sauce is a favorite, so it won’t last long. Put some in a Mason jar and share it with your new best friend for life. Make their tummy smile!

Ingredients:

1 Pound  |  Ground Chili Beef
1 Pound  |  Ground Hot Italian Sausage
3 Tablespoons  |  Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Palm Full  |  Fennel Seed
8 – 12 Cloves  |  Minced Garlic
2  |  Seeded and Chopped Fresno Chili Peppers or Red Bell Peppers or Italian Cherry Chili Peppers
2 Medium  |  Chopped White Onions
4 – 5 Medium  |  Chopped Jalapeños
1 Cup  |  Dry White Wine
4 Cans (28 Ounce Size)  |  San Marzano Style Tomatoes
To Taste  |  Gray Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
8 – 12 Sprigs  |  Finely Chopped Marjoram
¾ Cup  |  Finely Chopped Parsley
12 Leaves  |  Chopped Basil Leaves
Garnish  |  Parsley, Basil, Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
Garnish  |  Garlic Texas Toast ~ This. Is. TEXAS!

What To Do:

1. Brown the meats together over a medium-high heat. Drain and put into an 8 quart stock pot.

2. In a sauté pan, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat.

3. Add the fennel seed, garlic, chili pepper, onion and jalapeño and sauté for 5 minutes.

4. Transfer the vegetable mixture into the stock pot.

5. Add the wine and tomatoes, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon.

6. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, marjoram, parsley and the basil.

7. Bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and reduce the sauce for 30-45 minutes before serving.

Foodie Tips:

• Fresno Chili Peppers may be a little hard to find at your local market. No worries! You can substitute them with Red Bell Peppers or Italian Cherry Chili Peppers.
• Serve atop your favorite pasta, pizza, meatball, crostini or eggplant.
• You can use this sauce as your secret ingredient in a mouth-watering, memorable lasagna.
• You can omit the meat for a tasty meatless sauce … it’s just as flavorful!

This recipe will generously serve an Italian-sized family of up to 12, depending on how it’s served and how loose their clothing is.  :)

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ This recipe was featured on our special 2014 Valentine’s Day Menu Board. Learn more!