Elf vs. Pasta Sauce: Pasta Sauce Wins Again

[elfs]

So, I tried to move my recipe in one direction or another, this time by using organic plum tomatoes, six cloves of garlic, three ounces of pancetta^[?], and twice the recommended dose of basil.

It tasted more or less the same. The salty, savory pancetta, the garlic, and the basil all just disappeared into the sauce.

I really like this recipe because it's easy and completely home-made, but what does it take to make it taste like, well, like anything else?

Comments

[mothball-07.livejournal.com]

Basil is delicate. Add it last, rather than putting it in to simmer away, *especially* if you're using fresh.

I'd concur with other recommendations to try *different* spices to shift the flavour. Italian sausage is also a clear easy strong shift. Pepperoni instead of the softer pancetta is also an option.

Not cooking the tomatoes as long is also an option - gives a fresher flavour if you're using a good brand (like Muir, since you mentioned Organic.)

But, I'd pick one thing to really move with, and stick to that, rather than upping the existing proportions.