Sugo Finto with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon (15ml) balsamic vinegar
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 26g, 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the saucepan. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
3. 3.
   Pour in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir again to incorporate the herbs and seasonings.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. 6.
   After 30 minutes, stir in the balsamic vinegar to add a tangy note to the sauce.
7. 7.
   Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
9. 9.
   Serve the Sugo Finto over your favorite pasta, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomato paste — If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can use tomato paste with added sugar. Adjust the amount of sugar accordingly.
• Balsamic vinegar — Use a good quality balsamic vinegar for the best flavor. If you don't have balsamic vinegar, you can substitute it with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Tips & Tricks

• For a chunkier sauce, you can dice the vegetables into larger pieces.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the sauce before serving.
• Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice, such as mushrooms or eggplant, to further enhance the flavors and textures.
• Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for future use.
• Serve the Sugo Finto with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.

Serving advice

Serve the Sugo Finto over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or penne. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a touch of freshness. Pair it with a side salad and crusty bread to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

To present the Sugo Finto beautifully, twirl the pasta onto a plate and spoon the sauce over it. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve it alongside a colorful side salad for an appealing and appetizing presentation.