What You Will Need:
- 2.5 lbs of fresh tomatoes
- 1 medium-sized onion
- 4 cloves of garlic
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: Preparing the Tomatoes
Start by washing the tomatoes under cold water. Remove the stem and cut a small cross at the bottom of each tomato, just deep enough to penetrate the skin. This will make it easier to peel the tomatoes later. Place the tomatoes in a pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds, then remove them and place them in a bowl filled with ice water. Once the tomatoes have cooled down, peel off the skin and set them aside.
Step 2: Chopping the Onion, Garlic, and Basil
Finely chop the onion and garlic cloves. Take a handful of fresh basil leaves and chop them as well. You can use more or less basil depending on your preference for the intensity of flavor in your tomato sauce.
Step 3: Cooking the Sauce
In a large pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté them until they are soft and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Once the onion and garlic are cooked, add the peeled tomatoes, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir and let it simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together.
Step 4: Blending the Sauce
Once the sauce has cooled down slightly, transfer it to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Blend until you achieve your desired consistency. If you like a chunky sauce, blend it less, and for a smoother sauce, blend it more.
Step 5: Storing the Sauce
Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers or freezer bags. Properly stored, the sauce can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Now you have your very own fresh tomato sauce ready to enhance any pasta dish whenever you desire!
Take control of the flavors in your kitchen by mastering the art of making fresh tomato sauce. It’s a simple yet rewarding process that will elevate your culinary skills and the taste of your favorite pasta dishes. Say goodbye to store-bought sauce and hello to a burst of freshness and flavor on your plate. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s get saucy!