Vegetarian Marinara Sauce

After much experimentation, I came up with a very tasty vegetarian sauce that can be used with several types of foods. The spice and herb combination gives the sauce a delighful touch.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 6  cloves garlic, minced
• 1  large onion, chopped small
• 1  large  sweet red pepper, seeded and diced
• 1  large green pepper, seeded and diced
• 3  medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 10  ounces  canned mushrooms (bits & pieces, also use liquid)
• 28  fluid ounces canned plum tomatoes, inlcude liquid
• 6  fluid ounces tomato paste
• 1  tablespoon dried oregano
• 1  tablespoon dried basil
• 4  tablespoons  finely chopped fresh basil
• 1  tablespoon  spicy  italian seasoning
• 3  large bay leaves
• 3  large celery ribs, chopped small
• 2  teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large frying pan, heat olive oil; add garlic, onions and saute' until onions are transparent, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Add diced sweet red pepper, diced green pepper and saute' for an additional 1 minute.
3. Transfer mixture to a large heavy bottom cooking pot.
4. Add diced carrots, canned mushrooms (including liquid), tomatoes (including liquid), tomato paste, oregano, dried basil, fresh basil, spicy Italian seasoning, bay leaves, celery, sugar, salt and black pepper Bring sauce to boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Sauce should be smooth when cooked.
6. Adjust seasonings to taste.
7. Remove bay leaves and discard.
8. Serve sauce over pasta or pasta with saute'ed fresh vegetables, chicken or veal.
9. This sauce may be canned while it is hot.
10. Follow canning instructions carefully.
11. It also freezes well in plastic containers.
12. If you desire a meat sauce, add 1 1/2 pounds of extra lean ground round; firstly fry ground round for about 5 minutes, discard any fat and add to sauce just after the tomatoes.