Italian Dinner

I am definitely a little crazy for fresh bread. I had a breakfast shift at work, which started at 7am. Yet I woke up even earlier that I had to so that I could knead some dough together, all so that we could have fresh bread for homemade garlic bread.

We had also bought some cans of San Marzano tomatoes to make marinara sauce. I have been dying to try these tomatoes because they are supposed to be the best for making tomato sauce. They were pretty expensive, $6 a can, but since tomatoes are pretty much the only ingredient in marinara sauce, we were willing to splurge a little for the best. The simple sauce was really good, and I can't imagine making it with any other tomato.


Marinara Sauce
Adapted from Joy of Cooking
Yield: 4 cups
Print recipe

2 cans San Marzano tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 sprigs basil or oregano
6 sprigs fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste

1. In a large pot, warm olive oil over medium heat.


2. Add tomatoes, crushed between your fingers as you add them to the pot.


3. Add garlic and herbs.


4. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes.


5. Season with salt and pepper.


6. Remove herbs before serving, if desired.


7. Toss with hot pasta. Top with pecorino romano cheese, if desired.

Garlic Bread
Adapted from Joy of Cooking
Yield: 4 servings
Print recipe

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 clove garlic
1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat broiler.


2. Bring a small pot of water to a boil.


3. Add garlic. Simmer for 5 minutes.


4. Remove garlic from water. Mash to a paste.


5. Add to softened butter. Stir to combine.


6. Cut 4 pieces of bread.


7. Spread garlic butter on each piece of bread.


8. Season lightly with salt and pepper.


9. Sprinkle rosemary on top of bread.


10. Place bread under broiler for 5 minutes, or until just golden brown.