Fat-Free Animal-Free Tomato Sauce

FAT-FREE ANIMAL-FREE TOMATO SAUCE

Totally fat-free and animal-free? Are you kidding me? Don’t tell anyone. Just serve it. It satisfies like ground meat and feels like there is definitely a fine oil in this fine sauce! Go for it!

Makes about 7 cups

12 peeled garlic cloves

1 c. diced red onion

2, 4 oz. Dr. Wt. cans mushrooms stems and pieces including liquid

12 oz. jar red roasted peppers, including liquid

28 oz. can petite diced tomatoes including liquid – I used Dei Fratelli brand

15 oz. can Dei Fratelli Sloppy Joe Sauce

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2 t. dried oregano

2 t. dried basil

2 t. smoked paprika

1/4 t. ground allspice

1 t. salt

fresh grind black pepper to taste

2 T. liquid smoke

2 T. drained capers

strained juice of 1/2 lg. orange

1 t. guar gum powder (thickener)

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Place garlic and onion in food processor. Process till evenly mealy, but not mush. Transfer to large saucepan.

Place mushrooms with can liquid and roasted peppers with jar liquid in food processor. Process till evenly mealy, but not mush. Transfer to the same saucepan.

To the saucepan add canned tomatoes and Sloppy Joe Sauce. Stir well, then cook over medium heat till it starts to boil, reduce heat to low and cook 30 minutes, stirring as needed.

Add spices and herbs plus liquid smoke, capers and strained orange squeeze. Stir well, then add guar gum powder, whisking immediately into the top of the sauce till dissolved, then throughout the sauce. Cover, keep heat low and cook 30 minutes stirring halfway through.

Salt to taste and serve over pasta of choice.

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Notes: The one teaspoon of guar gum is all it takes to ever so slightly bind the sauce into a light cohesive smoothness, doing the job that fat or oil would ordinarily do if it were added to the sauce. Apply it correctly. Don’t put it in liquid first. Sprinkle on the top of the sauce, then lightly whisk it into the top of the sauce, dissolving it before whisking deeper. This is an important step and the way you should always apply guar gum. Okay? Good.

I order guar gum powder online. A little goes a long way.

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