Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 8 large tomatoes, peeled and cut into big chunks
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, or more to taste

Directions

Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until softened, about 5 minutes; add tomatoes, garlic, and bay leaf. Bring the liquid from the tomatoes to a boil, reduce to medium-low, and simmer mixture until tomatoes are softened, about 30 minutes.

Stir red wine, honey, basil, oregano, marjoram, salt, black pepper, fennel seed, and crushed red pepper into the tomato mixture; bring again to a simmer and cook until herbs have flavored the sauce, about 30 minutes more.

Stir balsamic vinegar into the sauce.