Homemade tomato sauce is tastier and more nutritious than store bought versions that are often packed with added sugar and salt. This recipe calls for garlic and onion, which give a nice aromatic flavor along with herbs and spices that take this homemade sauce up a notch. Tomatoes contain a high concentration of the red-colored phytochemical lycopene, which is a type of carotenoid. Much of the research on tomatoes and cancer focuses on this carotenoid. Use this sauce on your favorite whole-wheat pasta or as pizza sauce for a fresh veggie pizza.
Ingredients
- 3 Ib ripe plum tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano, or 1 tsp. dried
- 1/2 tsp. sugar, optional
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil, or 1 tsp. dried
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
- Cut thin slice off top of tomatoes. Peel tomatoes, using either serrated swivel-blade vegetable peeler or hot water method.* Chop tomatoes and set aside; there will be 6-7 cups.
- In large heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion starts to color, 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and oregano and stir well. Cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
- Taste sauce, adding sugar if it is too acidic. Mix in basil and cook until tomatoes have broken down to your taste, 10-15 minutes for chunky sauce, 12-15 minutes for pulpier sauce. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
*To peel tomatoes using the hot water method, drop 2-3 tomatoes at a time into a large pot of boiling water until the skins crack, 1-2 minutes. Immediately transfer tomatoes to a bowl of ice water. When tomatoes are cool enough to handle, use your fingers to pull off the skin. Halve tomatoes lengthwise and use your thumb to push out seeds, then your fingers to remove pulpy ribs.
This recipe contains cancer fighting foods:
This recipe was specially crafted to support cancer prevention and survival. It adheres to AICR's Cancer Prevention Recommendations. Learn more about our recipe guidelines.
Recipes you might also love:
Leave a comment
We love to hear from the community! If you made the recipe, please choose a star rating, too.
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
