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The beauty of this sauce lies in its simplicity. There’s no complicated, multi-step process. Instead, it’s a sauce made with ingredients that almost everyone has in their pantry, but it’s the careful balance of these ingredients and the way they blend together that makes it so remarkable. What started as a humble kitchen experiment became a tradition that was passed down from Nana to her children, and then to her grandchildren—myself included.
### 2. The Ingredients That Make Nana’s Sauce Stand Out
What makes Nana’s special sauce so beloved is the perfect balance of flavors and the freshness of the ingredients. While there are many variations of tomato-based sauces out there, my Nana’s sauce has a few secret touches that elevate it from simple to spectacular. Below are the core ingredients that make this sauce stand out:
#### **Tomatoes**
The foundation of Nana’s special sauce is, of course, tomatoes. However, Nana didn’t just rely on any old canned tomatoes. She used a specific brand—San Marzano tomatoes. These tomatoes are known for their rich flavor and natural sweetness, making them the perfect base for the sauce. While San Marzano tomatoes are often considered a specialty item, you can use high-quality canned tomatoes as a substitute if you can’t find them.
#### **Garlic**
Garlic is one of the key elements that infuses Nana’s sauce with its unmistakable aroma and flavor. Nana always used fresh garlic, finely chopped, which was sautéed in olive oil to create a fragrant base for the sauce. Garlic has a unique ability to enhance the natural sweetness of tomatoes while adding a savory depth to the sauce.
#### **Onions**
Onions were another essential component of Nana’s sauce. She would sauté finely chopped onions along with the garlic to create a rich, sweet flavor profile. The onions would cook down into the sauce, adding a natural sweetness and balancing out the acidity of the tomatoes.
#### **Olive Oil**
Olive oil played a significant role in Nana’s sauce—not just for sautéing the onions and garlic, but also for adding a smooth, silky texture. Nana was a firm believer in using high-quality extra virgin olive oil. It was this addition that helped give the sauce its signature smoothness and richness, making it a perfect complement to pasta or meat dishes.
#### **Fresh Herbs**
Fresh herbs are a must in Nana’s sauce. She often used basil, oregano, and parsley, adding them in just the right proportions. The basil provided a fresh, peppery note, while the oregano gave the sauce a slight earthiness. Parsley rounded out the flavor with a burst of freshness. While dried herbs can be used in a pinch, Nana always insisted on using fresh herbs to give the sauce that extra layer of flavor.
#### **Sugar**
While tomatoes can be sweet, they can also be a bit acidic. To balance this acidity, Nana would always add a pinch of sugar to her sauce. This small addition made a world of difference, smoothing out the sharp edges of the tomatoes and creating a harmonious, well-rounded flavor.
#### **Salt and Pepper**
As with any great recipe, salt and pepper were essential to Nana’s special sauce. She used them to season the sauce just perfectly, enhancing all the other flavors without overpowering them. Nana’s key was always to taste the sauce as it cooked and adjust the seasoning as needed.
#### **Red Wine (Optional)**
For special occasions, Nana would sometimes add a splash of red wine to her sauce. The wine would cook down and infuse the sauce with a deep, rich flavor that made it even more luxurious. Though it’s an optional ingredient, it’s one that’s become a hallmark of her more festive sauce recipes.
**A Touch of Love**
Perhaps the most important ingredient in Nana’s sauce was her touch of love. As she always said, “Food made with love tastes better.” Nana put care into every step of making her sauce—whether it was slow-cooking the ingredients to develop the flavors or stirring the sauce with patience. It’s this attention to detail and love for the process that made her sauce truly unforgettable.
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