Little Miss Tasty's Mama's Pasta Sauce

Main Ingredients

2 TBS Olive Oil
2 Onions, Diced
3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
2 Carrots, Shredded
2 Celery Stalks, Diced
1 Bell Pepper, Diced*
8 oz Mushrooms, Sliced*
3 Cans Diced Tomatoes
Optional:
- 1 Zucchini, Grated
- 2+ C Red Lentils, Cooked*
- Frozen or Fresh Spinach

Seasonings

2 tsp Oregano
2 tsp Thyme
4 tsp Basil
1 tsp Anise Seeds
3 Bay Leaves
1 tsp Salt
Black Pepper (To Taste)
Cayenne Pepper (To Taste)
1+ Small Can Tomato Paste
1+ TBS Honey (To Taste)
- or Maple Syrup

*Use your favourite colour of belle pepper. Sautee mushrooms in butter before adding to sauce. Simmer 1 C dry lentils with 3 C water/stock on med-low heat until tender--for more flavour, use veg stock instead of water.

Directions

In a large heavy saucepan (about 5 litres) heat oil over medium heat. When oil is hot, turn down heat and add onion, sauteeing till soft and yellow. In last few minutes, add garlic, and continue to sautee.
Stir in vegetables, except for tomatoes and mushrooms, cooking and stirring for a few minutes. Add tomatoes, salt and herbs. Gently simmer for an hour or so on low heat, letting it softly bubble, and stirring often.

Add sauteed mushrooms, tomato paste (as needed) honey or syrup (to taste) and continue to simmer and stir for about 30 min. Taste and add more herbs, salt and pepper to your liking.
Continue to simmer till sauce is thick and rich. Note: this is a gigantic batch but freezes nicely.