Name: Basic Tomato Sauce
Yield: 2 quarts
Ingredients: ¼ cup olive oil; 1 onion, finely dice; 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced OR 2 Tbsp garlic slices; ¼ tsp peperoncini; 2 Tbsp tomato paste, see notes below; 2 (28oz) cans diced tomato; 2 sprigs fresh basil; 1 tsp fine sea salt; ½ tsp ground black pepper; 1⁄4 cup olive oil

A good basic tomato sauce is a must have pantry item. Whether you buy a good quality one in a jar or make your own, basic tomato sauce makes pasta into a meal, eggplant into an entrée, and is always a thoughtful gift.

Basic Tomato Sauce

Helen Park

Servings/Yield

2 quarts

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
1 onion, finely dice
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced OR 2 Tbsp garlic slices
¼ tsp peperoncini
2 Tbsp tomato paste, see notes below
2 (28oz) cans diced tomato
2 sprigs fresh basil
1 tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1⁄4 cup olive oil

Directions

In a heavy bottom sauce pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onion, garlic, and pepperoncini until tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and stir to combine well.
Add the tomato, 1 cup of water, basil, salt, and pepper and bring the pot to boil.
Reduce the heat to simmer for 1 hour or until the sauce is well flavored and lightly reduced to a sauce consistency.