This is an important post for me… Not just because it’s a great tomato sauce (which I think it is), but because it’s my very first self-produced video! Are you ready?
I’ve been contemplating adding some cooking videos for a while, but never really had the motivation to actually do it. I mean, let’s be honest… I don’t exactly have any chances at a career at the Food Network! But, as I thought about the Kitchen Bootcamp series, I finally decided that it would be a good time to start adding some video content to my posts. After all, how hard could it be?
Well, let me assure you that making the video was much more work than I had anticipated… And, I am one of those people who takes the time to stop and take a photograph (or 30) at each step of a recipe. It’s more work than that.
But, I am one of those annoyingly determined people. When I set my mind to something, I have to do it. So, I fashioned my own little “studio” in my kitchen, delicately balancing my little tripod and Flip camera on top of the biggest cookbooks I could find, and set off recording. I’m not exactly a natural in front of the camera, but I did my best (don’t laugh too hard… but you can laugh a little). It took me much longer than it should have to make a simple tomato sauce, but at least I had a few videos as a result!
After recording the videos, though, I had to edit them. Hadn’t really thought about that part when I was formulating my grandiose plans for adding videos to the site. Fortunately, I happened to have iMovie installed on my computer, so I set off working with that. An entire afternoon later, I have one poorly edited cooking video to show for it. But, I worked hard for this video, so I’m going to show it to you anyway!
Simple Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cans whole San Marzano tomatoes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic and cook for about 15 minutes, taking care to sweat the vegetables instead of browning them. Once the vegetables are tender and the onions are translucent, stir in the tomato paste so that it is evenly mixed in with the vegetables. Add the tomatoes, breaking them up between your fingers as you add them to the pot. Stir to incorporate evenly. Simmer for about 45 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Puree, if desired. Enjoy!
Don’t Forget!
There’s still plenty of time to join in on this month’s Kitchen Bootcamp challenge – Sauces! I look forward to seeing everyone’s recipes, videos, and blog posts about sauce making. Don’t forget to submit your blog post once you have posted it so that I can include it in the round up at the end of the month!
I’ve seen you sweat about this video on Twitter more than your onions did…so wasn’t sure what to expect. You should not have worried so much!
Charming. Seriously!
And I love a simple tomato sauce with these ingredients…the carrots are a unique addition though; I’ll have to try that.
Congrats on your video. Loved it. I am also loving this sauce. A great recipe!
Hi Jen-
Plain and simple…you rock! What a great job for your first video. Don’t know if I’ll ever get the courage. Did you write out a script or just talk it through? Looking forward to more videos for the challenge.
Your video is seriously GREAT! Now I’m ashamed that I only use tomato sauce from a jar!
That’s your first video? great job! I loved it.
Yay you!! Congrats on your first video! :D What a great idea, to cook your way through that book. It is a great resource. Professional Pastry Chef is the text we use in culinary school on the pastry side and it is invaluable to me.
Jen,
You should be very proud of yourself. For your first time, shooting, cooking, editing, posting, by using video, you did a FANTASTIC job! We are in the video business and are looking at the stuff all day long and I can say honestly you did a fantastic job. I hope you keep it up!
I am participating in your bootcamp as well, just wanting for my book to arrive … hopefully this week! Can’t wait to cook along with you.
your video is adorable and i definitely want to see more of them up there!
Not only does the sauce look excellent, but my gosh, for your first video? You did an amazing job! Seriously, looks great!
You rocked it! And the video editing is so well done, especially for a first one! Congratulations!
I just ordered a copy of the book and looking forward to joining you when I get back from vacation. :)
Love, Love Love the video. It’s fantastic and I can’t wait for more. I bought a flip for myself a little over a month ago with the intention to do something similar but I’m too scared.
Wow girl — GREAT job on the video!!! :) I’m so impressed. And now, hungry as well for that sauce. Looks delicious!!
You did a fantastic job with the sauce video. I could really use this in my class as a great resource for making a tomato sauce. Way to go!!!
Jen, great post! That sauce looks awesome! And the video is great!
You did a good job on the video. Keep em’ coming. :) I have a flip camera, too. But I mostly use it to document stuff for projects. Not sure if I’ll venture into speaking in front of the camera…yet.
Simple tomato sauce is the way to go.
I love this idea for the Kitchen Bootcamp. I am looking around in cookbooks for a sauce to perfect. Our family is not really into sauces, but I will try to think of something. I love your blog.
Jen your too cute… loved the video you did great! This recipe looks really good also! :-)
-Natasha
You’re adorable!!! What a great recipe to pick for the first Bootcamp post! Working on mine next week! (no video though!)
Yay! Jen did video! It will get easier and you’ll get faster at it. I’m working on mine now.
I love that you pureed it – great idea. I used my Ninja and chopped everything before I cooked it.