Spice-it-up Tomato Sauce

2 Tblsp olive oil
1 green pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves minced garlic

1/2 c. to 1 c. chopped mushrooms

2 cans organic diced tomatoes

2 cans tomato sauce  

2 Tblsp oregano

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp marjoram

1 tsp rubbed sage

1/2 tsp basil

1 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (adds a touch of sweet without the sugar)

Heat the olive oil in a large pot then saute pepper, onion, and garlic until onion is translucent. Add mushrooms and heat through, then add remaining ingredients and let simmer on low for a few hours. (or transfer to a slow cooker set to low)

This sauce has a bit of a kick, so if you like it a little less on the "bites back" side, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.  If you like your sauce a little less chunky - after you saute your pepper onion and garlic, transfer to your blender with diced tomatoes and process till smooth. Please do not blend just the hot ingredients in a tightly sealed blender as the heat has a tendency to build and blow the lid off, which may cause burns. 

Serve over chicken breast, sauteed zucchini, meatballs, or steak.

My non-paleo husband had his with spaghetti noodles and meatballs and said it was "actually really good"