CrissyBear's Stirfry Sauce:

CrissyBear's Stirfry Sauce:

1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed in 2 Tbsp water to dissolve
1/2 cup chicken broth
1-2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp garlic minced (optional)
1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and adjust seasonings to taste.

The Butcher's Sauce

The Butcher's Sauce

Crissy's Note: I freeze 2 quart-sized bags of sauce, each with 4-5 generous servings. DH and I enjoy this rich and satisfying sauce.


1 large onion -- chopped
2 medium celery ribs -- chopped
2 medium carrots -- chopped
2 cloves garlic -- minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground veal
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 28 ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes packed in puree -- chopped
salt and pepper -- to taste

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the vegetables in the oil, stirring often, until tender and golden but not browned, about 10 min. If the onion starts to color, add a tablespoon or two of water and lower the heat slightly.

Add the meats and cook, breaking up lumps with the back of a spoon, until lightly browned. Stir in the tomato paste and salt & pepper. Add the wine and bring to a simmer.

Pour the tomatoes into the slow cooker. Scrape the meat and veggies in to the cooker and stir well. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until the sauce is thick.

Yield: about 10 cups
Serving size: depends on personal preference (I use about 1/2 cup fo me and 1 cup for DBF). NI is based on 1/2 cup.

Yield: "10 cups"

109 Calories; 6g Fat; 7g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber

Marinara Magnifica

Marinara Magnifica

Yield: 9 cups (serving size: 1 cup)

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups chopped onion (about 3 medium)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
6 garlic cloves, crushed
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, undrained
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add onion and sugar. Cook 30 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in wine; cook 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 hours, stirring occasionally.


CALORIES 169 (20% from fat); FAT 3.8g (sat 0.5g,mono 2.3g,poly 0.6g); IRON 2.9mg; CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 131mg; CARBOHYDRATE 30.9g; SODIUM 960mg; PROTEIN 5.3g; FIBER 6.5g

Basic Marinara Sauce

Basic Marinara


Yield: About 12 cups (serving size: 1/2 cup)

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chopped yellow onion (about 3 medium)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
3 (28-ounce) cans no-salt-added crushed tomatoes

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add sugar and next 7 ingredients (through fennel seeds); cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in vinegar; cook 30 seconds. Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a simmer. Cook over low heat for 55 minutes or until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.

CALORIES 50 (32% from fat); FAT 1.8g (sat 0.2g,mono 1.3g,poly 0.2g); IRON 0.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 28mg; CARBOHYDRATE 8g; SODIUM 270mg; PROTEIN 1.3g; FIBER 2.1g

Basic Tomato Sauce

Basic Tomato Sauce

Yield: Makes 2 2/3 cups (serving size: 1/3 cup)

4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Sauté garlic and crushed pepper in hot oil in a large saucepan over medium heat 1 minute. (Do not brown garlic.) Stir in tomatoes and salt. Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.

CALORIES 65 ; FAT 3.8g (sat 0.6g,mono 2.6g,poly 0.6g); CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 38mg; CARBOHYDRATE 7.9g; SODIUM 277mg; PROTEIN 1.8g; FIBER 2g; IRON 1.3mg