Fresh Tomato Sauce

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
• 1 bay leaf
• salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 pinch sugar (optional)

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in large skillet over low heat.
• 2 add garlic and stir until soft but not browned, about 30 seconds.
• 3 stir in tomatoes,thyme,bay leaf,salt and pepper; bring to boil.
• 4 reduce heat to low and cook until tomatoes are very soft and sauce is thick, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
• 5 discard bay leaf and puree sauce in processor or blender until smooth.
• 6 return to saucepan and whisk in tomato paste; bring to boil.
• 7 reduce heat to low and cook until sauce is very thick and reduced to 1 1/3 cups, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• 8 add sugar if desired; adjust seasoning.
• 9 (sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead, covered and refrigerated. reheat before using.).