Brandied Tomato Sauce (Flambe')

This is a wonderful and elegant sauce for gnocchi or pasta that infuses the flavors by flambe'ing the sauce during cooking. Suggested Easy Potato Gnocchi

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 small onion, thinly sliced
• 3  mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2  shallots, thinly sliced
• 1  small leek, white part, thinly sliced
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  tablespoon brandy
• 1⁄4 cup madeira wine, plus
• 1  tablespoon madeira wine
• 3  tomatoes, chopped (or use canned)
• 1  cup chicken broth
• 2  sprigs thyme
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, mushrooms, shallot, leek, and salt until soft, about 7 minutes.
2. Add brandy and 1/4 cup Madeira. Turn heat to high and CAREFULLY ignite the alcohol using a match or bbq lighter (be sure your stove fan is turned off). Cook over high heat until flames die out. Reduce temperature to medium-high and cook until liquid is reduced by half.
3. Add chicken stock, tomatoes, thyme, and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
4. Puree in a food processor or blender. Strain if desired. Return to pan and place over medium heat. Whisk in remaining tablespoon butter, broken in small pieces, and remaining tablespoon Madeira. Season with salt and pepper to taste. spoon over cooked gnocchi or pasta.