Puttanesca Sauce for Pasta (makes 1 qt)

I use the name because I think it is a good idea to honor us working girls, whether in the Italian street sense or those who manage a household, or who punch a time clock, or who run their own businesses. In any case, we ladies (and the families we are cooking for) need a quick, nutritious, and tasty supper at the end of the day, and this one will fill the bill. Because when you come right down to it, we are all “working girls”! ~ Glyn

Puttanesca Sauce

3 mild peppers, sliced
4 oz mushrooms sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c onion chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. large capers, drained
1 3oz. can tomato paste
¾ c water
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
½ tsp. each marjoram, basil, and oregano
1 small bay leaf
Healthy dash of cinnamon (optional: for those working girls with a middle eastern bent)
Salt and crushed red pepper to taste

Saute the peppers, mushrooms, garlic and onion in the olive oil. Stir in the oregano, marjoram, basil, bay leaf, cinnamon and diced tomatoes. Add the water and the tomato paste. Stir well, season with salt and red pepper and simmer for 20-30 minutes while you prepare the pasta.
Enjoy!