Simple Tomato Sauce

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In a saucepan on low heat, cook the garlic in the oil for a couple of minutes, until golden. Stir in the juice from the can of tomatoes.

   Step 2

   Squeeze the tomatoes with your hand to crush them or cut them coarsely with a knife or kitchen scissors while they’re still in the can. Add them to the garlic with the basil, salt, and pepper, bring to a simmer, and cook on low heat for at least 5 minutes.

2. Variations

   Step 3

   Cook about a cup of chopped onions with the garlic.

   Step 4

   Before adding the garlic, cook some diced vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or carrots, in the oil until soft.

   Step 5

   Add chopped roasted red peppers.

   Step 6

   Add 1/2 teaspoon of oregano or crushed red pepper flakes.

   Step 7

   Purée the sauce in a blender until smooth.

   Step 8

   Stir about 1/4 cup of cream cheese or sour cream into the sauce just before serving.

   Step 9

   Add a couple of tablespoons of capers, sliced olives, and some red pepper flakes for a quick puttanesca sauce.

3. Serving & menu ideas

   Step 10

   Ladle over pasta, rice, polenta, broiled fish, breaded and baked eggplant rounds, or even fried eggs on toast. Dress up steamed cauliflower or green beans, or use it as the sauce for Seitan Pizza Subs (page 140).