Classic Tomato Sauce
Making your own sauce is not as difficult and intimidating as it may seem. Yes, buying a jar or can of spaghetti sauce is more convenient, but the taste doesn't even compare to homemade. Plus, store-bought is often overloaded with sodium and preservatives. Classic Tomato Sauce doesn't take much time at all to put together, and once you taste it, you'll feel like a true gourmet Italian chef.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced minced
- 1 29-ounce can tomato purée
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, and add onion. Cook until soft and translucent. Stir in garlic, and 30 seconds, stirring constantly so garlic doesn't burn.
- Add remaining ingredients, and cook, uncovered, over low heat for 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf before serving.
- Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1/2 cup)
Notes
- Substitute a can of crushed tomatoes for the purée.
- Add diced green peppers, sliced mushrooms, and/or sliced olives.
- Serve with Lentil-Spinach Meatballs and brown rice, lentils, spaghetti squash, or whole grain pasta.
- When tomatoes are in season, substitute tomato purée with fresh, ripe tomatoes, and mix in food processor until smooth.