> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> I'm embarassed to even be here because I'm a terrible cook. I mean I
> can follow a recipe but it doesn't always taste good. I can't play
> around with recipes on my own and improve them. And yes I like to eat
> so I don't know what's wrong with me. But I bought some really nice hot
> Italian sausage at Bristol Farms market and I have some simple recipes
> from Barila and was wondering if there was some way to jazz up a
> pre-made pasta sauce to make it taste better. One of the recipes uses
> fresh basil but that's about it. Any ideas welcomed...TIA
>

I used to like Frank Sinatra pasta sauce but sadly I think it's no longer
being made :-(

In any case here is his receipt, it's simple enough to make:


http://www.songsbysinatra.com/faq/faq_a.html

"What is Sinatra's recipe for a quick Italian tomato sauce?

Frank Sinatra revealed this family recipe for an Italian tomato sauce (or is
it a gravy?) to Philadelphia's (and Sounds of Sinatra) Sid Mark several
years ago. It is quite good, although you may want to add a pinch of sugar,
if you prefer a slightly milder sauce.

First you start with some olive oil and some garlic, four whole cloves. You
heat the oil and add the garlic. Puncture the garlic with an ordinary fork
so it exudes the flavor. When the garlic turns tan, turn off the oil and
throw it out. Save the oil.

Next you take two whole cans of the Italian plum tomatoes. Place the can in
the blender and count to a slow four. Put the tomatoes into a large sauce
pan. Add some basil, salt, pepper, oregano, and the oil. Bring the sauce to
a boil. Skim the oil that rises to the top. Dip a piece of bread in the
sauce testing to see when the sauce is finished. At the end you might want
to add from fresh parsley. And there you have it-a good pasta sauce."


--
Best
Greg