Ingredients

3 thick slices of imported pancetta (Italian bacon) - about 1/4 lb.

1qt grape tomatoes, coarsely chopped (skins included)

1/2lb hot italian sausage (2 or 3 links) - optional

2 roast red peppers (purchased roasted with garlic and basil leaves),

3 cloves garlic, chopped fine

1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

1/4 Cup Balsamic Wine Vinegar

1/2 Cup dry red wine

salt, pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Chop pancetta into 1/4" squares. Brown pancetta over medium heat until it is golden. If you are not using sausages, pour off excess fat, leaving 3 tblspoons and skip step 2.
  2. If using sausage, remove the hot Italian sausages from their casing. Brown, separating often until well browned and cut into small chunks. Remove the sausages and drain excess fat, leaving 3 tblspoons.
  3. Add chopped garlic, saute’ until golden in remaining fat
  4. Add chopped onion and saute’ until golden
  5. Add the spices and the chopped tomatos, allow to simmer.
  6. Add browned sausage back into mixture (if using sausage)
  7. Puree (or finely grind) the roast red peppers (with, possibly, a couple of basil leaves).
  8. Add pureed roast red peppers to the mixture.
  9. Add red wine to the mixture, continue to simmer. (We don’t actually measure the wine and the vinegar - we just toss it in, in “about that much” amounts.)
  10. Add vinegar and continue to simmer.
  11. Salt and pepper to taste. Add additional wine and vinegar to taste.
  12. Simmer on low heat until reduced by about 1/3 - about 15 minutes.
  13. Serve over pasta such as fettucine, farfalle or rigatoni.