Rust City Tomato Gravy

Listen up, omae! This ain’t no ordinary tomato sauce you’re dealin’ with here. Nah, this is the real drek - Rust City Tomato Gravy, baby! A hearty smother that’ll have you forgettin’ all about those fancy-pants sauces from the high-rise restaurants. This is street food at its finest, a taste of the gritty underbelly that’ll fuel you up and keep you goin’ strong, no matter what kinda run you’re pullin’ tonight.

Back in my days hustlin’ on the streets of Rust City, this gravy was like liquid gold. A few spoonfuls over some fresh ‘taters, and you were set for a night of dodgin’ KE patrols and tanglin’ with Mr. Johnsons that thought they could pull a fast one. The rich, beefy undertones cut through that tomato sweetness like a monowhip through synthleather, while the herbs and spices added just the right amount of kick to keep you on your toes.

4 large ripe tomatoes, diced or 1 can (400g) of diced tomatoes

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon beef bouillon powder

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly golden.

Add the minced garlic to the onions, cooking for another minute until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.

Stir in the diced tomatoes, along with their juice if using canned tomatoes, into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Crumble the beef bouillon cube into the saucepan, or add the beef bouillon powder, along with the water. Stir well to ensure the bouillon is fully dissolved and integrated into the sauce.

Season the sauce with the dried basil and oregano, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired for a bit of heat.

Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and the flavors meld together.

Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Serve over 250g of mashed potatoes per person.

There you have it, chummers - a taste of the real Seattle, straight outta the shadows and onto your plate. This Rust City Tomato Gravy ain’t just food, it’s liquid nostalgia for those of us who’ve seen the dark side of this fraggin’ city and lived to tell the tale.

So go ahead, smother it over those ‘taters and let the flavors take you on a trip down memory lane. Just don’t get too caught up in the past, or you might find yourself missin’ the next Mr. Johnson that comes knockin’. Stay sharp out there, and remember - in this life, sometimes a hearty plate of drek is all you need to keep goin’.