Spaghetti using Sierra Mist?? ...

Why would you have a recipe using Sierra Mist in the Romano's newsletter? The answer is that this recipe represents an Italian family tradition that adds innovation. Fred Alphonse of Van Dusen Beverages in Astoria was gracious enough to share his family spaghetti sauce recipe. It's a traditional blend of ingredients AND it includes the Pepsi product, Sierra Mist. Why Sierra Mist? It adds a hint of lemon/lime flavor as well as sweetness to the sauce.

Fred's Dad worked for Van Dusen Beverages in the 1960's. His brother has worked with the organization as well. Some accounts in Astoria have never had a Pepsi salesman other than someone of the Alphonse family!!! As any good Italian cook will tell you, exact measurements or measuring cups don't exist. For your convenience we have adapted the recipe to use measurements as guidelines. But go ahead, double the garlic. As Fred mentioned, if you wake up the next day smelling like garlic … you know you’re healthy. Here's your chance to innovate in the kitchen. ...

Alphonse Family Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
("Everything you see I owe to spaghetti" - Sophia Loren)

Ingredients:

2 to 3 TBS olive oil
1 medium onion
1 medium green pepper,
roasted and chopped
2 clove garlic, minced
1 TB salt; 1/4 tsp pepper
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste and
1 can tomato sauce
5-6 Roma tomatoes
2-3 sprigs fresh oregano
2 TBS fresh sweet basil
Chianti as desired
9 oz Sierra Mist

Heat oil; sauté onions, pepper and garlic in the oil until tender. Add salt, pepper, tomato paste, tomatoes, oregano and basil. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add Sierra Mist as cooking.
Meat version: sauté 1/2 pound of lean ground beef with the onions, peppers and garlic until browned.

Recipe adapted to served 6-8, although you should end up with a nice, thick sauce that is good enough to batch in large quantities. Fred & his brother have made up to 40Gallons at a time for Knights of Columbus events.