Chicken Parmesan

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups Simple Tomato Sauce, recipe follows or purchased marinara sauce
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 4 to 6 basil leaves
• 16 teaspoons grated Parmesan
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 8 (3-ounces each) chicken cutlets
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves