Giadas Marinara Sauce Recipes

GIADA'S MARINARA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute until onions are translucent (about 10 mins).
• Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper. Saute until all veggies are soft (about 10 mins).
• Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens (about 1 hour).
• Remove and discard bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Note: When serving with Kittencal's meatballs, I make the sauce the day before, bring it to a boil, drop in the meatballs, cover and cook according to Kittencal's directions. I like to serve this over Barilla's "thick spaghetti.".

GIADA'S MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Place garlic and olive oil in large sauce pan.
• Turn heat to medium and cook until garlic is soft and lightly browned.
• Crush the tomatoes and add with their juices.
• Add basil, salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and cook until thickened approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

FISH STICKS WITH MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Spray a heavy baking sheet liberally with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• Put the buttermilk into a large bowl. Add the fish strips, stir to coat, and let stand for 15 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the Parmesan, bread crumbs and salt. Remove the fish from the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl, and dredge in the bread crumb mixture to coat completely, pressing to adhere. Arrange the coated fish in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and bake until golden and crispy, about 14 minutes. Cool slightly and arrange on a serving platter.
• In a small saucepan, heat the marinara sauce over medium-heat until warm. Transfer to a small serving bowl. Serve the marinara alongside the fish sticks as a dipping sauce.

FRIED MOZZARELLA BALLS WITH MARINARA CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• For the mozzarella balls: Preheat a deep fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Drain the mozzarella and pat dry.
• Add the flour to a casserole dish, the beaten eggs to a second, and whisk together the panko, parsley, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in the third casserole dish.
• Dredge the mozzarella through the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes then fry in batches in the hot oil until golden and crispy, about 1 minute per batch. Drain on paper towel-lined sheet trays. Season with salt. Serve with the marinara cream sauce.
• For the sauce: Mix the red sauce, heavy cream and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl and microwave until warm, about 2 minutes. Use for dipping. Yield: 1 cup.