SLOW COOKER TOMATO SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut a small "X" in bottom of each tomato. Bring 8 qt. water to a boil in a large stockpot; add tomatoes, and boil 30 to 60 seconds or until peel begins to separate from tomato flesh. Remove with a slotted spoon. Rinse immediately with cold running water, or plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain. Peel tomatoes, and discard skin. Cut tomatoes in half, and gently squeeze to remove seeds. Coarsely chop tomatoes.
• Stir together onions, next 7 ingredients, and chopped tomatoes in a 7-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 5 hours or until tomatoes have broken down and are very soft. Cool 20 minutes. Stir in basil and thyme.
• Process mixture with a handheld blender until smooth, or process mixture, in batches, in a food processor or blender. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Dry the pork with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a 12-inch skillet over med-high heat until just smoking.
• Brown half of the pork, about 10 minutes, then add to the slow cooker.
• Return the skillet to med-high heat and repeat with 2 more teaspoons oil and the remaining pork.
• Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the empty skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering.
• Add the onions and 1/4 tsp salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook for 15 seconds.
• Stir in the wine and tomato paste, scraping up any browned bits.
• Simmer until the wine has reduced by half, about 3 minutes, then pour into the slow cooker.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with their juice, the oregano, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves to the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the meat is tender.
• Let the sauce settle for 5 minutes, then use a wide spoon to skim the fat off the surface.
• Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the pieces of meat.
• Before tossing the sauce with cooked pasta, discard the bay leaves, stir in the parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste.