We’ve been getting a decent pile of tomatoes in our weekly CSA share, and I still can’t believe it took me this long to make the most basic tomato recipe: homemade sauce.  I used to do a sauce that was much more complicated (blanch the tomatoes, peel, simmer forever, yadda yadda), but I threw this together one night in a pinch, and it was PERFECT. The whole family loved it, and it couldn’t be easier. It’s a regular on our weekly menu planning now.

Here’s the rough recipe (I never measure, sorry!)

QUICK TOMATO SAUCE

4-5 large tomatoes

2-3 cloves of garlic (depending on your taste and their size)

a coating of olive oil

Cut tomatoes in half (horizontally–like, on the tomato’s…equator) and squeeze out the seeds (I usually do this over the sink; you don’t need to get overly obsessed with getting out all the seeds, just a quick squeeze will do). Chop tomatoes into smallish pieces, and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add minced garlic and stir for 1-2 minutes. Add tomatoes and stir well. Simmer, covered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, then uncover and continue to simmer until desired consistency is reached. (I like sorta soupy sauce, so I keep it pretty watery, maybe an additional 10 minute simmer…if you like it thicker, simmer longer.)

That’s it! Fast, easy, and makes the whole house smell incredible.  (PS-If you like a less chunky sauce, just give it a quick whirl with your immersion blender.)