Fresh tomato sauce

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If you make no other recipe from Sun Temple, make this one!! It is overdo on the deliciousness! Surprised me even though I knew it was going to be good because of all the fresh ingredients. The thing about a good basic tomato sauce, is that you can use it in a million different ways. I used up this whole batch in Polenta Lasagne, but you could use it on courgetti (courgette cut to be eaten like spaghetti), or “healthy” pasta or in some other imaginative casserole. You could dilute it and turn it into the most delectable tomato soup. That was Mark’s idea. Rest assured I will be making this again and will post the recipe I end up using it in.

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These beauties are why this sauce happened in the first place. We don’t often see this variety of tomato in St. Lucia which is along the lines of a plum tomato. Don’t know because we weren’t given that information. However I saw them and bought them up not knowing exactly what I would do…….which I must confess is often the case. So, I let them ripen and then when I was ready to cook them, I put them in the freezer for an hour or two. Yes. You heard me right. The freezer. After that all you have to do is run them under the tap with warm water and the skin literally slides off. Cool huh? I was taught this little trick by a nutty woman called Paula who drove a Volkswagen with gingham wheels and worked for my neighbour Ann in the UK. She kept an allotment and was full of really good tips. If you somehow read this Paula, “nutty” was said with love.

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Frozen tomatoes waiting to be skinned

 

Makes enough for a casserole to easily serve 4

1kg roughly chopped fresh tomatoes (any variety)

3 tbsp olive oil

2 chopped  onions

3 crushed garlic cloves

2 tbsp chopped thyme

3 tbsp chopped parsley

2 tsp fresh oregano

2 sprigs local celery

1 bay leaf

2 tsp anchovy paste (eliminate for vegan option)

salt and pepper

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Soften the onions in the olive oil and then add all the rest of the ingredients. Leave to simmer without a lid until the thickness shown in the photo below has been achieved.

 

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I used a hand blender in the pot to ease on the washing up, but you could use whatever tool makes you happy to render this to the smooth, beautiful sauce below.

 

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10 Comments

  • Reply
    Alison Gauvin
    April 3, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    We grow LOTS of tomatoes every year and make vegetable juice, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce and salsa. I will try this combination of ingredients you’ve listed this fall when we’re overflowing in red!

    • Reply
      Germaine
      April 4, 2014 at 3:01 am

      Yay! Let me know please how it turns out…..

  • Reply
    Lyn Bristol
    April 6, 2014 at 8:57 am

    From this “New” tomato gardener – will definitely USE this recipe. Thanks.

    • Reply
      Germaine
      April 6, 2014 at 9:08 am

      Great! I’ll have any of your cast offs please…..

  • Reply
    Polenta lasagne | Sun Temple Food
    April 7, 2014 at 2:28 am

    […] 1 quantity fresh tomato sauce […]

  • Reply
    Danielle
    April 7, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    Made the tomato sauce for lunch today with chick-pea veggie balls and pasta….YUMMMMMM!!!!!

    • Reply
      Germaine
      April 7, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      Wow that’s sounds delicious! Did you make the chick pea veggie balls? Yum indeed

  • Reply
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    July 16, 2014 at 8:15 am

    […] I didn’t use fresh tomatoes but resorted to a can. I’m cogitating on a recipe using my fresh tomato sauce recipe for courgetti (courgette cut into spaghetti strips) though, so watch this […]

  • Reply
    Reading group spelt flatbread | Sun Temple Food
    August 8, 2014 at 9:59 am

    […] sauces lately, so I have all sorts ready to hand. Above in their order of appearance is a simple tomato sauce,  green olive tapenade and watercress pesto. I will post the recipe for watercress pesto soon. You […]

  • Reply
    Sweet potato gnocchi - Sun Temple Food
    January 2, 2015 at 10:04 am

    […] amazing bowl of healthy tastiness. You could use regular basil pesto as well or indeed cook up a fresh tomato sauce. The point is these beauties mix and mingle with a varied crowd and they are pleased with whomever […]

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