Italian Tomato Sauce

2 - 28 ounce cans diced or ground tomatoes or whole

tomatoes NOT packed in puree or sauce

3 tablespoons high-quality olive oil

1 large, thick pork chop or 1-1/2 pounds beef chuck,

steak preferred

1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped

1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

1/2 cup red wine

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons fresh basil or Italian parsley, chopped

Freshly ground black pepper to taste If using whole tomatoes, drain them, reserving the liquid and chop. Reserve tomatoes and juice in a bowl. In a nonreactive Dutch oven, heat the olive oil. Season the chop with salt and pepper and brown over medium-high heat on both sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove meat and set aside. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the onion and carrot and saute until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Return the meat and any accumulated juices to the pot and add the wine. Bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 3 minutes. Add the reserved tomatoes (if using crushed or minced tomatoes, just add them directly from the can) and the salt and bring back to a simmer. Reduce heat to low to maintain a slow simmer, partially cover, and cook until the meat is tender, about 45 to 55 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat. Remove meat and keep warm. Raise heat to medium and continue cooking sauce for about 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened. Stir in the basil and/or parsley and add freshly ground black pepper to taste (the sauce will be salty at this point; it will taste fine once added to pasta). Slice the meat and serve with pasta and sauce.