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Veracruz-Style Tomato Sauce

Veracruz-Style Tomato Sauce

Cuisine:Mexican

Course:Sauce

15m prep 30m cook 45m ready

About 4 cups The combination of cinnamon, bay leaf, garlic, olives, and pickles in a tomato sauce may seem odd, but this sauce is irresistible with grilled fish and pork. For a braised dish that uses this sauce, see Veracruz-Style Snapper. Use “true” cinnamon or canela for the best result.

Ingredients

Servings:
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 pounds fresh plum or Roma tomatoes, chopped, or one 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped
  • 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • (2 sprigs marjoram)
  • 2 sprigs oregano
  • 1 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed green olives
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • (½ cup sliced pickled jalapeños, seeded)
  • 1 teaspoon capers or 2 large caper berries, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • One 2-inch cinnamon stick
  • Salt

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    Heat in a medium saucepan over medium heat: ¼ cup olive oil

  2. Step 2.

    Add and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes: 1 medium onion, chopped

  3. Step 3.

    Add and cook 1 minute more: 4 garlic cloves, chopped

  4. Step 4.

    Stir in: 2 pounds fresh plum or Roma tomatoes, chopped, or one 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped

  5. Step 5.

    Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Tie together tightly into a bundle: 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley; 2 sprigs thyme; (2 sprigs marjoram); 2 sprigs oregano

  6. Step 6.

    Add the bundle to the pan along with: 1 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed green olives; ½ cup dry white wine; (½ cup sliced pickled jalapeños, seeded); 1 teaspoon capers or 2 large caper berries, chopped; 1 bay leaf; One 2-inch cinnamon stick

  7. Step 7.

    Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick but not pasty, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the herb bundle, bay leaf, and cinnamon. Season to taste with: Salt

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