This sauce was born out of several needs. The first is that my kids would not eat the staple of every other American kid, spaghetti with red sauce. They hated tomato sauce. The second is that we have food allergies. My daughter is allergic to soy and legumes. My son is allergic to dairy and gluten. Even the dog is on a gluten free diet. Don't laugh. He dropped 20 pounds which is not an easy feat for a lab. Ask me later and I will tell you about the dog's diet. Simply amazing!!!
Kid's Spaghetti Sauce
2 tbls of olive oil
1 tbls minced garlic (I buy a jar of it already minced)
1 tbls of Herbs d'Provence (you can substitute a combination of oregano, rosemary, thyme)
1 28 oz. can of Muir Glen tomatoes ( It doesn't matter if it is diced, crushed or whole tomatoes)
1 6 oz can of Muir Glen tomato paste
1/2 cup white wine (sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, something dry and white is best)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Saute the spices in olive oil for a minute or two. Add 1/2 cup white wine. You may ask , "Why white?" White wine is light and somewhat fruity. It adds to the soft fruitiness of the sauce. You did know that tomato is a fruit, didn't you? The alcohol is cooked out of the sauce by the heat of the burner.
In the meantime, put the 28 oz can of tomatoes in the blender. Yes, the blender. The blender takes out the chunks. Finicky kids hate chunks, lumps or any color that stands out in the food they are eating. Remember the rule! One food cannot touch another! After the sauce has been blended for 10 to 30 seconds, add it to the pan. Add the tomato paste. Stir. Add the sugar and salt. Stir. The sugar does not make the kids out of control. It balances the acid from the tomatoes. Simmer the sauce for 10 to 20 minutes and it is ready.
If your kids will eat meatballs, you can add them before the simmer starts. I cheat and use Trader Joe's meatballs. Don't worry about the gluten. My kids don't eat them. Only the parents eat the meatballs. Either the turkey or beef works. They are pre-cooked and thaw out in minutes. If you need to make your own meatballs, there is one trick to make sure your meatballs stay moist. Add a little milk. If your child has an allergy to cow's milk, I would recommend you add original unsweetened Almond Milk. Just a splash.
As far as the spaghetti goes, we eat 'bionaturae' for the wheat and gluten free family members and regular wheat for the others. The 'bionaturae' is made with rice, potato and soy. It is really good. As a matter of fact, it is the best gluten free pasta I have ever eaten. I have to drive 20 miles to the closest Whole Foods Market to get this or you can order it from Amazon.com. I am totally committed to eating food that is good with no hints of a sawdust-like flavor. Healthy, great food!!! Yeah!!!
Let me know what you think!!!
