The month of June has finally arrived and with it my desire to pluck the first mouth-watering red tomato from my garden. For some parts of the US I'm sure that dream has become a reality. But sadly here in the Midwest I still have several loooong weeks to wait.
One thing that is ready for picking in my garden is basil. Of the many varieties available, I chose to plant a common variety, Italian Basil. It's a wonderful and hardy herb to grow, offers some medicinal benefits and does wonders at keeping the pests away from my still-seedling tomato plants. But it can't hold a candle to the amazing benefits (both medicinal and culinary) of it's cousin, Holy Basil. This herb is amazing... which might just be why it's our Herb of the Month for June!
One thing that is ready for picking in my garden is basil. Of the many varieties available, I chose to plant a common variety, Italian Basil. It's a wonderful and hardy herb to grow, offers some medicinal benefits and does wonders at keeping the pests away from my still-seedling tomato plants. But it can't hold a candle to the amazing benefits (both medicinal and culinary) of it's cousin, Holy Basil. This herb is amazing... which might just be why it's our Herb of the Month for June!
Considered an adaptogen herb, holy basil works as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It fights viral and fungal infections while boosting the immune system and ridding the body of common illnesses like colds, flus, fevers, etc.
In the culinary world, holy basil is also known as hot basil, because of it's peppery overtones. For this reason, it makes a terrific addition to spaghetti sauce!
I've always loved my momma's homemade spaghetti sauce and over the years have tried to improve upon it... just 'cuz. While spaghetti sauce made by her own hand always tastes better to me, I think this recipe has won the blue ribbon in my family. I hope it's a winner for yours as well!
In the culinary world, holy basil is also known as hot basil, because of it's peppery overtones. For this reason, it makes a terrific addition to spaghetti sauce!
I've always loved my momma's homemade spaghetti sauce and over the years have tried to improve upon it... just 'cuz. While spaghetti sauce made by her own hand always tastes better to me, I think this recipe has won the blue ribbon in my family. I hope it's a winner for yours as well!
Nourishing Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 7 cups canned, frozen or fresh tomatoes, crushed
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1/3 cup red wine
- 8 oz fresh shitake mushrooms, chopped
- 2 T. rapadura sugar
- 1 t. crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 t. garlic powder
- 1/2 t. oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup dried nettle leaf
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (preferably Holy Basil) or you can reduce the amount to 2 T. and use dried
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb mild italian sausage
- 1 large onion, diced
- 6-8 garlic cloves, chopped
Instructions
1. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, mushrooms, sugar and spices to a crock pot. Cook on low for 3 hours.2. An hour before serving, put olive oil in a cast iron skillet and brown sausage, onions and garlic together. Add to sauce mixture in the crock pot.3. Add nettle and basil to the sauce and allow to cook in the crock pot for an additional 30 minutes. 4. Serve over whole wheat or rice pasta and top with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 8 servings This recipe has been shared atTasty Traditions!
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