How to make tomato sauce
This is a basic tomato sauce that can be served as is - or you can fancy it up with herbs and other ingredients. You can make a big batch and freeze for multiple meals.
Use canned tomatoes to keep it quick and easy; buy the best quality brand that you can find. Plum tomatoes work best. If using fresh tomatoes, you'll need approximately 12 fresh plum tomatoes.
Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped (or use a garlic press)
1 28-ounce can of plum tomatoes (with juice), crushed in hand
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar (optional)
salt and pepper
handful fresh basil
Method
Add about 2 tablespoons of the oil to a medium pan. Turn burner to medium. Add the onion and cook til soft, then add the garlic and let that soften.
(If you want to add some extra flavour here's where you could add a half cup white wine and reduce it before adding the tomatoes, or sauté some mushrooms to add to the sauce.)
Add the tomatoes.
Add tomato paste. Let mixture thicken, simmering over medium heat for about 10-20 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper. Taste: If the tomatoes were not sweet enough, add sugar.
Stir in the chopped basil with remaining olive oil.
Sue Riedl