Add the oil to a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Stir well and cook for 3 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and brown sugar. Stir well. Cook for 1 minute.
Add the jalapeno pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Add the salt, pepper, and tequila before cooking for 3 more minutes (until the tequila reduces by 1/2).
Add the beef stock and the tomato sauce. Increase the heat to medium-high until boiling.
Reduce heat and simmer for 35-40 minutes.
Strain and degrease the sauce. Return to the saucepan and cook over high heat for 5 minutes until reduced by a third. For a thicker sauce, cook for 3 more minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the softened butter. Stir until completely incorporated and you are ready to serve!.
Chef’s Tip
To degrease the sauce, use a degreaser cup. They are designed with a spout at the bottom allowing you to separate the fat that has accumulated at the top of the sauce in a single fluid and easy motion. This is not mandatory but I find it makes for a “more elegant” sauce.
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped bacon
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon of C&H Golden Brown Sugar or C&H Dark Brown Sugar
1 jalapeno pepper, diced and cut into 1” pieces.
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup tequila
1-1/2 cup beef stock
1/2 cup tomato sauce.
2 tablespoons softened butter