Marinara

Disclaimer (Italian grandmothers and locals, Please don't judge me).

Everyone likes to do Marinara a little differently, but basically it consists of tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs. Here is the basic recipe which you can adjust depending on availability and preference.

Basic Marinara

1. 4 generous tablespoons of olive oil
2. 3 cloves of fresh crushed/chopped garlic
3. Pinch of red chili flake, little less than 1/4 tsp (depending on how hot you like yours).
4. two cans of tomato Sauce (you can use one can but put a little less of everything else)
5.  Generous 1/2 tsp of dried herbs (basil is my favorite).
6. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Directions

• Add olive oil to warm pan, not hot because your garlic will burn. Add garlic and chili flake.Wait till garlic sizzles and smells. Do not brown your garlic, sweat it in the oil or let the garlic infuse. 
• Add two cans of tomato sauce and bring sauce to simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. 
• After ten minutes add dried herbs. 
• Presto :)

Variation- Local Marinara (My favorite method)

1. 4 generous tablespoons of olive oil
2. 3 cloves of fresh crushed/chopped garlic
3. Pinch of red chili flake, little less than 1/4 tsp (depending on how hot you like yours).
4. 1 to two cans of tomato Sauce Depending on how big your spring tomatoes are
5. 6-8 Hamakua Spring Tomatoes (or local cherry tomatoes) cut in half or qaurtered, stemy part removed preferably. 
5.  Generous 1/2 tsp of dried herbs (basil is my favorite). Or 1 tbl of fresh cut basil.
6. Salt and Pepper to taste.

 Directions

• Add olive oil to warm pan, not hot because your garlic will burn. Add garlic and chili flake.Wait till garlic sizzles and smells. Do not brown your garlic, sweat it in the oil or let the garlic infuse. Add Spring/cherry tomatoes and cook until slightly broken down (they will break down more when simmered).
• Add two cans of tomato sauce and bring sauce to simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes Or until cherry/spring tomatoes are broken down. 
• After ten minutes add dried/fresh herbs, stir one minute.
• Presto :)

 Rustic Chunky Marinara (preferably for Lasagna, Meatballs, pizza).

1. 4 generous tablespoons of olive oil
2. 3 cloves of fresh crushed/chopped garlic
3. Pinch of red chili flake, little less than 1/4 tsp (depending on how hot you like yours).
4. One can of tomato Sauce 
5. One can of crushed tomatoes

5.  Generous 1/2 tsp of dried herbs (basil is my favorite). Or 1 tbl of fresh cut basil.

6. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Directions

• Add olive oil to warm pan, not hot because your garlic will burn. Add garlic and chili flake.Wait till garlic sizzles and smells. Do not brown your garlic, sweat it in the oil or let the garlic infuse. Add Spring/cherry tomatoes and cook until slightly broken down (they will break down more when simmered).
  
• Add both cans of tomatoes and bring sauce to simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. 
• After ten minutes add dried/fresh herbs. Stir for one minute.
  
• Presto :)