Basic Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 carrots (shredded)
• 1/2 green pepper (chopped)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 Tbs fresh basil (chopped; Note: If you don't have fresh herbs, use dried but cut the measurement in half)
• 1 Tbs fresh oregano (chopped)
• 1 Tbs fresh thyme (chopped)
• 6 cups plum tomatoes (peeled and chopped)
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1 Tbs honey (I didn't use this)
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Saute' onion and garlic in 2 T olive oil until soft.
2. Add carrots, pepper, bay leaves, and herbs and stir well.
3. Add remaining ingredients and season to taste. Simmer 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve or freeze.
4. To can, ladle into hot sterilized pint jars to within 1/2 inch of top, and add 1 T lemon juice or vinegar per pint. Seal with sterilized lids, and process full jars in boiling water bath for 35 minutes.