Secret Ingredients to Make Your Tomato Sauce Even More Exciting

There's more to a great tomato sauce than just tomatoes and a few basic spices. In this article, we'll explore some imaginative additions that can take your marinara sauce to the next level, including cinnamon and bacon grease. Learn how these unique ingredients can enhance the flavors and transform your dish.

Discovering Unique Secrets

Often, sticking to the basics is the key to a perfect marinara sauce. A simple combination of fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onion, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and olive oil can create a delicious base. However, for that extra special touch, consider integrating some unconventional elements.

The Secret Ingredient: Cinnamon

While cinnamon may sound like an odd fit in a tomato sauce, it can surprisingly balance out too much acidity. In my hometown, there was an Italian restaurant run by two Greek brothers known for their exquisite pasta. It took me a while to realize what their secret ingredient was, but once I found out, it significantly improved my pasta. Adding cinnamon to your tomato sauce can add depth and intrigue, especially if you're using acidic tomatoes. It's worth a try, even if you're wary of cinnamon in other dishes!

Vegetable Juice for Flavorful Simmering

If you're dealing with a thick tomato sauce that needs to be thinned, consider using vegetable juice instead of water. Vegetable juice, such as tomato juice, carrot juice, or beet juice, can help in retaining the flavor and nutritional value of the vegetables. During prolonged simmering, you can continue to add vegetable juice to keep the sauce from becoming too thick or burning. This method infuses each layer of flavor into your sauce, making it richer and more complex.

Bacon Grease for Extra Umami

In the late 90s, while working as a prep cook at a trendy micro-brewery in NYC, I learned a valuable tip from the utive chef. One of his secrets was using bacon grease to add a smoky umami flavor to the tomato sauce. This technique not only enhances the taste but also elevates the overall experience. Despite being a bit of a surprise to many guests, adding bacon grease is a game-changer. Even now, I use this trick when preparing my homemade tomato sauce because it complements the natural flavors with a delightful smoky taste.

Perfect Homemade Tomato Sauce

For true aficionados of tomato sauce, here's a simple recipe to get you started:

3 cups fresh or canned tomatoes 1/4 cup tomato paste 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 minced garlic clove 1 minced onion 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 cup vegetable juice (tomato, carrot, beet, etc.) 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 2 tablespoons bacon grease (optional)

Conclusion

Adding unconventional ingredients like cinnamon, vegetable juice, and bacon grease to your tomato sauce can transform a basic dish into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting, these tips can elevate your cooking game. Experiment with these secret ingredients, and you may discover your new favorite way to spice up your marinara sauce.