Simple Marinara Sauce

Improve your heart health with celebrity Chef Dave Lieberman's homemade recipe!

by Chef Dave Lieberman | FNC iMag

Text Size

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death each year in the United States. That being said, there is no better time than now to assess your heart-healthy lifestyle.

Studies have shown that tomatoes, which are packed with vitamins and lycopene, may help reduce heart disease risk and protect against certain types of cancers. Some people may think that taking lycopene alone will help protect heart health. However, lycopene works best in synergy with all of the nutrients and vitamins in a tomato.

In fact, canned tomatoes contain more nutrients and lycopene because they are pre-cooked, which enhances their nutritional content. A great tip to help your body absorb those nutrients better is to add a healthy fat like olive oil to your meal. Here is a heart-healthy recipe for you to enjoy.

Simple Marinara Sauce

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup olive oil
4 Large garlic cloves , very finely chopped
1 Can (28 oz.) Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes
1 Can (8 oz.) Del Monte Tomato Sauce
1 Teaspoon dried oregano
1 Teaspoon sugar
1/4 Teaspoon salt

Directions:

- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

- Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, no longer than a minute.

- Add the undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, sugar, and salt.

- Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes longer.

Fore more great recipes check out iMag's Food Page.

Dave Lieberman is a chef, author and TV host. He has published a number of cookbooks including: "Young and Hungry: More than 100 Recipes for Cooking Fresh and Affordable Food for Everyone in 2005" and "Dave's Dinners: A Fresh Approach to Home-Cooked Meals in 2006." Dave’s most recent cookbook, "THE 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO EAT: And More Than 100 Easy and Delicious Ways to Prepare Them," currently appears on The New York Times bestseller list. He is the host of the Food Network’s "Good Deal with Dave Lieberman" and "Dave Does," the Food Network’s first web-based series. Dave is also an avid food and travel photographer and he incorporates his photos into his Web site and blog www.davecooks.net.