Simple Seasoned Tomato Sauce

Just like the name suggests...a simple sauce to make but a pleasure to eat. This recipe comes from Giada De Laurentis...Everyday Italian. Update Sept. 07--bay leaves appeared in the directions, but not ingredients. Fixed now!!!

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 6 cups

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1  small onion, chapped
• 2  garlic cloves, chopped
• 1  stalk celery, chopped
• 1  carrot, chopped
• 1 (32 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 4 -6  basil leaves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1  teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 5  tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)
• 2  bay leaves

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent--about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrot and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil and bay leaves and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and taste for seasoning. If sauce tastes too acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, to round out the flavour.
3. I like my sauce a little spicier, so I add a few red pepper flakes.