The Godfather's Spaghetti Sauce

Red Apple Guy's Note:

It is claimed that in 1973, Glamour Magazine posted this recipe based on a scene in the movie "The Godfather": "Heh, come over here, kid, learn something. You never know, you might have to cook for 20 guys someday. You see, you start out with a little bit of oil. Then you fry some garlic. Then you throw in some tomatoes, tomato paste, you fry it; ya make sure it doesn't stick. You get it to a boil; you shove in all your sausage and your meatballs; heh…? And a little bit o' wine. An' a little bit o' sugar, and that's my trick." --- Clemenza in 'The Godfather'

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 (28 ounce) cans tomatoes (whole, crushed or chopped)
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 3 Italian sausages, grilled and sliced
• 1 lb meatball, cooked (use your favorite recipe)
• red wine, just a splash
• 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large pot.
2. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes. Do not let the garlic burn.
3. Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring continuously so that a relatively smooth consistence is reached.
4. Add sausages and meatballs and stir until the meat is coated.
5. Add a splash of red wine, then the sugar according to taste.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
7. Serve by ladling over cooked pasta.
8. Tip: It's not in the movie, but a teaspoon each of basil and oregano is suggested.
9. Tip 2: If you're using canned whole tomatoes, draining them and then crushing them by hand will result in a chunky sauce. Canned crushed tomatoes will create a slightly thinner sauce, while canned chopped tomatoes will result in a thicker sauce.