Almost Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
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Sometimes the only "productive" thing that gets done around here is comforting a very fussy baby. On those days dinner is something easy, like jarred spaghetti sauce. Me being me, however, means that I can't leave well enough alone!
Almost Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
a.k.a. Fancy Sauce
1 lb. ground beef
1 - 2 Tbs. garlic paste
2 shallots, diced
Optional: 1/4 cup of diced or shredded vegetables*
(*think carrots, celery, and/or zucchini)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 Tbs. oregano
1 Tbs. basil
1 Tbs. parsley
1/4 - 1/2 c. chicken broth
2 Tbs. milk/cream
In a large saucepan, brown the beef with shallots and garlic (plus vegetables, if desired). Add the spaghetti sauce, oregano, basil, and parsley (I use Litehouse herbs unless there are fresh ones on hand). Let everything simmer for about 20 minutes, adding 1/4 c. of chicken broth at a time if the sauce is getting too thick.
Five minutes before serving, add the milk and let the sauce continue simmering. Serve over traditional, gluten free, or veggie noodles. Quick Tip: spiralized squash noodles can be prepped hours in advance so they're ready for a brief sauté as soon as the sauce is done.
The first time I modified the sauce Chris couldn't stop raving about it, and was shocked to discover its humble beginnings. Tweaking the sauce only takes a couple minutes and makes all the difference in turning a nondescript jar of sauce into something a little more special!
January Snapshots
4) Wear
5) Love
7) Eat
8) Project
January Snapshots
1) View
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| Perfection is January sunshine in Oregon. |
2) Happy
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| Loft haul! |
3) Balance
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| How is this comfortable...? |
4) Wear
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| Finally found a daily wear watch - good old Fossil brand. |
5) Love
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| My loves. |
6) Everyday
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| Running errands with the tiny one. |
7) Eat
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| Egg, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, and gorgonzola over romaine. No dressing required, but a drizzle of olive oil with some fresh pepper is heavenly. |
8) Project
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Our poor filing cabinet has definitely seen better days, but I decided that
a quick makeover with Rust-oleum would help in the meantime.
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| Shop assistant inspecting the progress. We still need to figure out the hardware situation. |
9) Habit
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| We're getting daily walks in, but I'm trying desperately to make this happen a few times per week. |
10) Favorite
"The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."
Jill Churchill
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| "I not quite solemnly swear that I am up to no good." |
"The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."
Jill Churchill
