Matt Preston's Tomato Sauce Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.Start by blanching the tomatoes in boiling water for a few seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath to cool. This will make it easier to peel the skin off.
• STEP 2.Once the tomatoes are cool, remove the skin and roughly chop them.
• STEP 3.In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant.
• STEP 4.Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and a blend of herbs and spices (such as basil, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves). Stir well to combine.
• STEP 5.Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• STEP 6.After an hour, remove the bay leaves and use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth. If you don't have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, but be careful as the sauce will be hot.
• STEP 7.Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue to simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.
• STEP 8.Once the sauce is ready, let it cool completely before transferring it to sterilized jars or containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.

Cooking Tips

• To easily remove the skin from the tomatoes, make a small X-shaped incision at the bottom of each tomato before blanching.
• For a smoother sauce, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after blending to remove any remaining seeds or pulp.
• Feel free to customize the sauce by adding other ingredients like red wine, balsamic vinegar, or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
• This sauce can be used as a base for other sauces like marinara or bolognese. Simply add cooked meat or vegetables to enhance the flavor.
• If you're planning to freeze the sauce, leave some headspace in the jars or containers to allow for expansion.

Storage and Serving

• Let the sauce cool completely before storing it in sterilized jars or containers.
• Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
• Serve the tomato sauce over pasta, use it as a pizza sauce, or as a base for other dishes like lasagna or meatballs.
• This sauce also makes a great gift. Simply pour it into decorative jars and add a personalized label.