What is your FAVORITE SPECIAL INGREDIENT for a Spepghetti Sauce?

Question

OK, No need to answer with the usuals, ie, onion, garlic, pepper, Oregano, or a meat unless it's really bazzar like Chorizo or Veal. Oh and please don't say sugar. There's a million other ways to get the acetic taste out of the tomato sauce.

But I've been making Pasta "Gravy" for years now and my favorite "secret weapon" is " finnel" especially if you throw in some kind of pork product like an Italian sausage.
What's your secret weapon? Has anyone tried Taragon or something like that?

Answer 1

Well this is my wife's secret. She is from the Philippines and I must tell you they take regular sauce with ground beef and the usual stuff but then they add Whipping Cream the one in the carton not the can. It is awesome.

Answer 2

there's several i love, but you don't need much to make it delicious.. basil or provençal herbs, onion, peppers, capers, mushrooms, or any variation of these!

HOWEVER

does it have to be a tomato sauce? you can try making this "dressing" for the pasta, with serrano (or prosciutto) ham, chopped onions and a scrambled egg, adding the cooked pasta and the egg to the pan with the ham and onion when they're done, tossing until egg is done and mixture covers the pasta well. scrumptious! or just sesame oil and chopped chives, this is one of my personal faves. you can add some grated cheese to these for a kick, preferably an aged hard cheese like romano or pecorino. salut!

Answer 3

Sometimes I'll add a little red pepper flakes to kick it up a notch or maybe some Hot Italian Sausage.

Answer 4

Fennell in the sauce with pork? I have to try this......my secret weapon is slowly cooking filet mignon in the sauce along with veal & pork......yes, chorizo is very good too!

Answer 5

I add some white or pink wine such as Chardonay . It is classic though. I add capers and add fresh basil because it makes fine aroma on it sauces. I like experimenting though. Long ago, I used live with my college roomies and they love my spaghetti sauce . I add anchovies and lot of tiny chopped garlic and of course I add some cooking wine. They love it.

Answer 6

I saute' onions and red bell peppers and add them to the sauce. Red bell pepper adds a very nice flavor.

Answer 7

I put in a can, or two, of red clam sauce. Good taste, but I never told the kids.

Answer 8

"Tapioca" is a sweetening agent as well as a thickening agent, it also cuts the acidity. I use this method, someone told me about it yrs ago. My hubby loves my sauce!!

Answer 9

I agree with the fresh basil and I also use red wine. (One cup per large pot of sauce)

Answer 10

anything with tomato goes with basil....fresh basil in your "GRAVY" goes a long way