Does anyone else use nutmeg or cinnamon in tomato sauce?

[pinto]

Made some today, i.e. doctored up some store bought sauce and remembered using some cinnamon in the past. Added nutmeg this time since I was including Italian sausages. Added some basil, oregano as usual, but the nutmeg really brought a neat taste to the sauce.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. The recipe I use for my spaghetti sauce calls for a dash of cinnamon...

So I've always used it there. It adds something very tasty!

[pinto]

2. Doesn't it? Sort of a nutty / savory taste. The nutmeg worked out really well.

Especially with the sausage in the sauce. pinto sopped up the bowl with a slice of garlic bread.

[msanthrope]

3. Nutmeg is the secret ingredient in my meatballs. nt

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Absolutely! Many years ago a girlfriend's German mother made...

the best tomato sauce on the planet. When I asked her secret, she said it was the cinnamon-- something she claimed Italians knew nothing about. (Always ready with a dig at her Italian husband...)

Anyway, I've been adding cinnamon ever since, sometimes nutmeg, but always cinnamon no matter what else is in there. Not enough to actually taste, but enough to wake up the tomatoes.

When I need a tomato sauce, base, or whatever, I just buy whatever canned stuff is the cheapest (right now there's an 89 cent a 28 oz can sale going on so I stocked up on a few, waiting for the 35 oz cans to go on sale) and just do what I have to to make whatever. It's as close as you get to making from scratch without making from scratch.

[eridani]

5. Sounds like it's time for me to try that n/t

[fizzgig]

6. i usually add cinnamon

but forgot it last night. i like the flavor it adds.

[LauraNb]

7. I've nevere heard of this...

..but will give it a try. My mom always used to add a spoon of sugar to tomato sauce to take away some of the acidity she said, so I imagine this is along the same idea.

[HappyMe]

8. I have never heard of this.

I would probably throw a pinch of cinnamon into a pot of chili, but not tomato/spaghetti sauce.