Basic Tomato Sauce with a Twist

I thought I'd add a recipe for those of
you who are just starting your experimental journey of cooking or for those who would just like to try something different to what you are used to! One of the best, easiest, fastest and most economical meals that you can prepare is a basic tomato sauce to have over the pasta or raviolis of your choice. Here is what you need:

-1 big onion diced
-4-6 pieces of garlic depending on your preference
-2 fresh whole diced tomatoes
-1 big can of whole peeled or crushed tomatoes*
-2 cans of tomato sauce (or 1 can of tomato paste, add a can of water)*
-a green pepper (you can add red too!)
-half a cup of red wine
-2 bay leaves
-a teaspoon of dried or fresh basil
-a teaspoon of dried or fresh oregano
-a teaspoon of dried or fresh parsley
-black pepper and salt to taste
-2 tablespoons of olive oil
-Parmesan cheese

The Twist:
-2 carrots diced
-a zucchini/courgette diced

*You can also use 2 cans of crushed tomato and only 1 can of tomato sauce/tomato paste, but you may have to add a spoon of sugar or honey to the sauce so that it's sweet enough.

Pour olive oil into a large pot and saute the onions and carrots on medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Add the peppers, zucchini and fresh tomatoes and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the garlic and sprinkle with salt. Add the herbs, bay leaves and stir. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and mix. Allow to cook for several minutes. Add half a cup of wine (as you can see in the picture, I had to add open a good bottle of wine for this sauce) and stir. Allow to evaporate a little and then add more salt and black pepper.

Be very careful with the hot sauce because it will jump out at you and stain your lovely clothes with red spots and worse still, it burns the skin really badly. ( My father likes to use the top of the pot as a shield whilst stirring the sauce, you can try this too!) Cover the sauce, leaving a small slit to allow the sauce to evaporate the excess juices and reduce slowly. Let it simmer on low for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the vegetables don't stick to the bottom of the pot. When done, serve over pasta or raviolis. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil to add an extra special taste. Enjoy!