Do you appreciate what you have and who is in your life? Do you smile while doing the dishes and taking the umpteenth load of folded laundry up the stairs?
Most days I sing while performing these tasks and even tear up sometimes while waiting for my babes to come out from school as I know how lucky I am. However, there are some days where crappy things keep happening, I am too tired to appreciate my ability to be perform these daily tasks or I have a case of the blues.
Here is the real kicker though; Life sometimes reminds us how lucky we are because we lose people we love, relationships end, our health fails or those we love are hurt. When one of these circumstances happens to people we know, we often turn to food to try to comfort them.
Heck, a good meal warms our souls and often brings a smile to our faces right? Recently, I have needed to comfort myself and my husband and am going to share why: My mom was physically assaulted recently however, I can not share more details as there is a criminal lawsuit pending. If that was not bad enough, it has been extremely hard for our family because the person who ‘allegedly’ harmed her, was also someone we loved.
We also have friends who have had a sudden health scare and so I have wanted to comfort them so I have been in the kitchen whipping up some ‘love’ so they do not need to spend time cooking. When it comes to making food for families, you can almost always rely on pasta to keep kids fed and smiling. Therefore, I have been making up batches of this marinara sauce and using it on lasagna, stuffed shells, meatballs and as the perfect pasta topper.
Now before I share this recipe, do me a favor: Don’t forget how lucky you are! Now go on, hug the person next to you…….unless you don’t know them, because you might get arrested.
Perfect Marinara Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 sweet onion, chopped
2 stalk celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 (32 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, (I used Muir Glen)
1/2 cup water
A handful fresh parsley, chopped
¼ teaspoon dried sage
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon each course salt & black pepper, optional
Directions:
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and sauté an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, then rinse each can with about a ¼ cup water, swirl and add to the pot. Mix in the parsley, sage and thyme. Simmer covered on low heat for 1 hour.
4. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
5. Once cooled down, puree with immersion blender or place half the mixture at a time into a blender, processing until smooth. You can always simply leave it nice and chunky.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags or containers.
Yields about 6 cups; more depending on whether you add water.
A
New Englander who discovered her passion for Science at a young age and her
passion to be a Stay at Home Mom and Foodie a bit later. You can contact me at savorthethymeblog@gmail.com
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
That sauce is gorgeous, and so are you, as is your heart. Many hugs and positive thoughts going out to you during this time. How I wish *I* could be the one cooking to help lift your spirits and show you a lil lovin’
Thank you for sharing your story. This really touched my heart as I can relate. I know I hardly know you Jen but since I read your page every few day’s I know you have a big heart. God Bless you and Your Family our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I’m so sorry to hear about the challenges going on with your loved ones. You are right though…a good meal can be a healing thing! *Hugs*
Wishing you a big helping of comfort. Thank you for sharing your story and your recipe. xxoo!
Jennifer, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you and your mom. My thoughts are with you.
Oh my God! How horrible, your porro Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Mom. I’m so sorry.
Oh my goodness. That is awful. so sorry to hear that!
What an awful thing to happen–I’m really sorry to hear. I hope your mom and your family heal soon from this. I admire your attitude about the situation and for me, it is a good reminder of how lucky I am also for the people in my life. Puts things in perspective.
Your marinara sauce sounds perfect.
I am sorry to hear about your mom that is so scary! What a great recipe this is! I can’t wait to try it out.
Hang in there. I hear ya on how food comforts, it really does. Hope this sauce gave you one big hug. xo
I know it’s been hard, Jen. I hope things start to look up soon and you’re able to give your mom the care she needs. xo
thoughts and prayers that you mom is doing better
great recipe.
They say cooking is therapeutic so I hope writing about it is more than therapeutic. You are an amazing person and one of the kindest (and smartest) people I know. Wishing you strength my friend.
I know it has been a real struggle for you Jen and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Aww…sweetie I’m so sorry that you and your family are in pain. I hope that everything is resolved soon and that the healing process can begin sooner rather than later {hugs}. Italian is the perfect comfort food ;D