This time of year as the weather gets chilly is a great time for Hearty Italian dishes. Pasta, onions, garlic and cheese! Fill your kitchen with delight full aromas and enjoy some great food that will keep you warm on a cold day!

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE

• 3 cups high quality canned plum tomatoes
• 5 TBSP olive oil or butter
• 1 clove of crushed garlic
• 1 Large onion diced small
• Fresh chopped Basil or Italian parsley

Heat oil in a pan and saute’ garlic until brown.  Then remove.  Add onion and sweat over medium heat until soft and translucent.  Add tomatoes and salt to taste and slowly simmer about an hour.  Add chopped herbs at the very end.

TOMATO SAUCE WITH ROSEMARY AND BACON

This is a yummy sauce you must try!  Traditionally made with Pancetta, but we will substitute bacon.

• Tomato sauce prepared as above
• 6 slices bacon, cut into thin julienne strips
• 2 teaspoons dry or fresh rosemary chopped fine

While tomato sauce is simmering slowly cook the bacon until golden brown.  Add rosemary and cook for 1 minute.  Add everything to the tomato sauce and simmer 15 minutes.

SAGE BROWN BUTTER

This is an excellant simple preperation for pasta, like any simple preparation seasoning with salt and pepper is critical!

• 6 TBSP butter
• 1 TBPS fresh chopped Sage
• cooked pasta
• parmesan cheese

Place butter in sauce pan and cook over medium heat just until the butter foams and turns golden brown.  Then quickly swirl in chopped sage and remove from heat.  Pour over pasta and season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parmesan and serve.

ALFREDO SAUCE

• 2 TBSP butter
• 1 tsp flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2/3 cup parmesan cheese
• fresh ground or cracked pepper

Heat butter over medium heat until melted and stir in flour and cook until incorporated.  slowely stir in heavy cream and continue and stir over medium heat until almost boiling.  Remove from heat and stir in parmesan and pepper.