Hot/sweet sauce

This sauce is so versatile.  It's great for pork, ribs or chicken.  It's got some kick and after kick as well, so beware!

Ingredients:
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeño, chopped with seeds
1 chili pepper, chopped with seeds
1/4 cup soy
1/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 TB dijon mustard
2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
olive oil, for sautéing

Directions:
Chop garlic and peppers, and sautee in olive oil for about 5 minutes.  Add soy, wine, vinegar, mustard and brown sugar and mix well.  When sauce comes to a boil, add cornstarch and whisk well.  Sauce will thicken.
**optional**  Add chives for looks.
**optional**  Make is asian by using rice wine vinegar instead of balsamic, and add 2 tsp sesame oil at the end, and/or add 1tsp minced ginger.

Pesto

Ingredients:
5 cups basil leaves
12 cloves garlic
1/2 cup pine nuts
10 oz Parmesan
1 cup olive oil
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Directions:
In a food processor, mince garlic.  Add pine nuts, basil leaves, Parmesan.  With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil through the feed tube.  Add in salt and pepper.  Puree thoroughly and use immediately.  You can freeze it in ice cube trays, covered.  Add to soups, stews, chicken pesto lasagna, or thaw for other recipes.  Keep covered in the freezer, or it will turn brown.

Fresh tomato sauce

This was my grandma Rock's recipe.  She always used fresh tomatoes from the garden.

Ingredients:

5 lbs ripe, fresh tomatoes

1/4 c olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, diced

2 bunches fresh basil, chopped

sea salt 

fresh ground pepper

1 carrot, whole

Directions:

Wash and cut tomatoes into small wedges.  Cook for about 10 minutes, until tomatoes are soft.  Cool.  Press through a strainer.  In a dutch oven, brown garlic and onions in olive oil.   Add tomato puree, salt, pepper, carrot and basil.  Cook uncovered for about 1 1/2 hours, or until thick.  Stir occasionally.  This should make enough for 1 lb pasta.  Remove carrot before serving.  The carrot adds a little sweetness.