Sunday Gravy With Pasta

This, of course is the holy grail of all Italian food, the one Italian families eat the most, every Sunday for sure.  In my family we had pasta with gravy every Sunday and then again on Wednesday.  We make a large pot then save what is left for Wednesday. My two favorite days of the week, nothing smells better then a pot of gravy simmering on the stove.  Be sure to have fresh sliced bread, I always spoon some of the simmering gravy on top, great snack before the real deal!  Make an extra large pot and freeze it for another time, so easy to pull out of the freezer, heat and serve over pasta.  No excuses for bottled sauce!

The great debate: Is it sauce or gravy?  If your name ends in a vowel, it's gravy, and you won't convince me other wise.  We also "put the pot up"which is putting the pot on the stove to boil the pasta.

Seek out the best sausage you can find, we are lucky to have Serra's sausage and they make the best!  Some Italian markets have homemade as well, it will make the difference in the flavor of your gravy.  I also put up my own tomatoes, since I live in New Jersey, what is better then Jersey plum tomatoes.  If you don't have fresh tomatoes, canned are fine, San Marzano are the best.  I love an assortment of meat, use what you love.  I will add chicken, beef cubes, venison cubes, whatever I happen to have.  The staple for me is sausage and country ribs and meatballs.  Then I add whatever else I want to that. Meatball recipe is listed in an earlier post, check the labels.

1/2 Pound Italian Mild Sausage, cut into one inch pieces
1/2 Pound Italian Hot Sausage, cut into one inch pieces
1 Pound Country Spare Ribs, bone in
Meatballs, 2 per person
2 - 28 or 32 Ounce Can Italian Style Whole Tomatoes with Basil, Mashed
2 - 8 Ounce Can Tomato Sauce
1 - 6 Ounce Can Tomato Paste
1/2 Cup Olive Oil, enough to cover bottom of pot
5 Cloves Fresh Garlic, Chopped
1 Small Onion, Chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste
Favorite Pasta
Grated Cheese for serving

Heat oil in a large sauce pot over medium high heat.  Add the onions and cook until translucent.  Add the garlic and cook for one minute, adjusting the heat if necessary.  Add the sausage and spareribs until brown on all sides, does not have to be cooked through, if will finish cooking in the sauce.

Add the mashed tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste.  Still well and add salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 2 to 3 hours.  Stir occasionally so it does not burn, if you feel burn spots on bottom of pot, do not scrape up, or you will have a burnt flavor to your gravy.  When the gravy is finished, put the pot up for pasta, cook until al dente.

Pour over your favorite pasta with a fresh garden salad, crusty Italian bread and grated cheese, Mangia!

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