Cheese Rind Tomato Sauce, is it worth it?

Ingredients

• 2 rinds Hard Italian Cheese Rinds (saved from a block of Parmigiano-Reggiano or similar hard cheese)
• 2 cans Canned Tomatoes (14‑oz (400 g) cheap tinned tomatoes, whole or diced)
• 1 medium Onion (peeled and diced)
• 1 medium Carrot (peeled and diced)
• 1 stalk Celery Stalk (diced)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra‑virgin, for sautéing)
• 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
• 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 teaspoon Sugar (balances acidity of tomatoes)
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried Thyme (optional, adds herbal note)
• 2 fillets Anchovy Fillets (optional, adds umami depth)
• 0.25 cup Fresh Basil (torn, added at end)

Instructions

1. Prep Vegetables and Rinds

   Dice the onion, carrot, and celery into small uniform pieces. Mince the garlic. Rinse the cheese rinds briefly and pat dry.

   Time: PT10M

2. Sauté Aromatics

   Heat olive oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: Medium

3. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

   Stir in the canned tomatoes, breaking them up with the spoon. Add sugar, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and anchovy fillets. Mix well.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: Medium

4. Introduce Cheese Rinds

   Nestle the cheese rinds into the simmering sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer – do not boil rapidly.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: Low simmer

5. Slow Simmer

   Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 2½ hours, stirring occasionally. The sauce should reduce, thicken, and the rinds will become soft and start to melt.

   Time: PT2H30M

   Temperature: Low

6. Remove and Incorporate Rinds

   Using tongs, lift the softened rinds out of the pot. Slice or crumble the softened cheese into the sauce, stirring until fully incorporated.

   Time: PT5M

7. Finish and Serve

   Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if needed. Stir in fresh basil, remove from heat, and serve over cooked pasta or use as a pizza base.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

150

Protein

5 g

Carbohydrates

15 g

Fat

8 g

Fiber

3 g