Sun-Kissed Tomato Elixir: A Quick and Flavorful Sauce

Quick Tomato Sauce Recipe

🕒 Total Time: 55 minutes
🥘 Yield: 2 1/4 cups
🍽️ Servings: Adjust as needed

Ingredients:

• 1 can whole canned tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion
• 1/2 garlic clove
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sun-dried tomato packed in oil
• Fresh oregano, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare Tomatoes:

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   • Open the can of tomatoes and pour off the juice into a bowl.
   • Use the lid to press against the tomatoes to extract as much juice as possible.
   • Squeeze the tomatoes to a pulp, separating the juice and pulp. Reserve both separately and set the empty can aside.

2. Start Cooking:

   • Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until hot.
   • Optionally, if using jalapeno, tilt the pan to collect the oil and briefly brown the jalapeno for about 2 minutes. Remove and reserve.
   • Add the onion to the pan and cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
   • Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until lightly golden.

3. Simmer Sauce:

   • Pour in the tomato juice and bring to a boil. Simmer rapidly for several minutes.
   • Add the crushed tomato pulp along with any remaining pulp rinsed from the can with water.
   • Stir in the bay leaf, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring back to a boil.
   • Add the sun-dried tomatoes and stir well.
   • Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and turns an orange-red color, about 30 minutes.
   • Add fresh oregano halfway through the cooking.
   • Discard the bay leaf.

4. Final Touches:

   • Peel, seed, and mash the reserved jalapeno with a spoonful of the sauce, then add it back to the sauce for extra flavor.

Variation:

For a fresh tomato sauce:

• Substitute 2 pounds of vine-ripened tomatoes for the canned tomatoes.
• Peel the tomatoes, cut them in half crosswise, and squeeze out the juice and seeds over a sieve.
• Chop the tomatoes and proceed with the recipe, omitting the sun-dried tomatoes and using jalapeno if desired.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve this quick tomato sauce over your favorite pasta for a simple yet delicious meal.
• Use it as a base for pizza or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

This recipe, adapted from Recipezaar, promises a burst of flavors in every bite, making it a perfect addition to your collection of go-to sauces. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or simply craving a comforting meal, this quick tomato sauce is sure to delight your taste buds. Enjoy! 🍅🍝