by Joan Inong

Created on: May 09, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2012

Store-bought tomato sauces are all very well and good, but the taste and flavor of a homemade tomato sauce is unbeatable. However, many people think it is difficult to make their own tomato sauce. People nowadays do not have the time to spend making a complicated tomato sauce. They can just as easily pick a can or jar up from the grocery store. But, if you have ever made a tomato sauce, you will know the difference. The following recipe will teach you, step by step, how to make a delicious tomato sauce right at home.

First, you will need some fresh tomatoes. Growing tomatoes is actually not that difficult, but if you don't have a tomato plant or garden, then pick up some tomatoes from the grocery store. One misconception is that you should only use one type of tomato for making sauces. However, you actually want to expand the flavors that you include in your sauce. So, this means that you should actually use at least two types of tomatoes in your sauce (though three might be even better).

Gather up your ingredients: tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and other spices and herbs that you like. Dice the tomatoes into large cubes. Chop up the onion and garlic. In a pot, heat up two tablespoons of very good, extra virgin olive oil. When the oil is quite hot, add the garlic. Allow it to turn a golden color, then add the onions.

Once the onions are translucent, add the tomatoes. You will need a lot of tomatoes for this recipe, perhaps about two or three pounds (more if you want the flavor really concentrated). Once the tomatoes are very soft, add about six cups of hot water (about two cups for every pound of tomatoes). Allow the whole thing to come to a gentle boil, and then lower the heat to allow the sauce to simmer.

Simmer the sauce for at least half an hour, with the pot uncovered. In the meantime, prepare your herbs and spices. Add salt and pepper to taste. Once the sauce has reduced a little (about 1/3 has evaporated), take a taste. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Then, before you turn the heat off, add the basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano and other spices and herbs that you want to include. You add these fresh herbs at the very end because they are very delicate. If you were using dried herbs, then you can add them in the beginning.

If you want your sauce to be thicker, keep simmering it until it reduces halfway. You will only have half the water and tomatoes that you started with. However, the more that you reduce the sauce, the more concentrated it becomes.

Use this sauce in any dish that you like. Chances are you will enjoy the taste of homemade tomato sauce more than store-bought tomato sauce.

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