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How To Make A Real Italian Tomato Sauce

Tomatos

Move Over, Canned Tomatoes



You know how to make a primo tomato sauce using canned tomatoes, but now that you have your own garden tomatoes, you want to try a more organic take on the recipe.

Let's just say the family isn't as thrilled with your new venture as you anticipated. They say the sauce was too light and couldn't cling to a noodle if its life depended on it. If your family is a brazen sort like mine, they may dare to voice aloud that it tastes more like salsa.

I like a nice light sauce. It's fresh, healthy and 100 percent delicious. But my husband is Italian -- red sauce is like gravy to him and something he feels should be incorporated into his menu on a daily basis.

This means that I need to kick this garden tomato sauce into shape.

Whipping Tomatoes Into Shape



Cooking with fresh tomatoes versus canned is more labor-intensive.

  • You must peel them. The easiest way to accomplish this is to blanch them. Boil the tomatoes about 30 seconds or until the skins begin to peel away. Then, immerse in ice-water. Next, remove the seeds.
  • Using your thumbs, simply push the pulp and seed down the length of the tomato and into an awaiting dish. (You're going to want to save those babies for later.)


Saucy Secrets



Now it's time to cook your peeled, seeded tomatoes.

This is where it gets hazy. Sauce recipes are a guarded secret among Italian chefs but since I'm only Italian by marriage, I'll share my technique with you.

Personal Touches



A trick to sweeten the sauce is to place a freshly peeled carrot in the pot during the simmer process and then remove it before serving. Another option is to skip the sautéed onions and instead submerge a whole, peeled onion in the pot while simmering. Remove the onion prior to serving.

During the last moments before serving, you can add grated Parmesan if it suits you, or butter -- both are good.

Just remember: sauces are as unique as family crests, so feel free to experiment until you find the perfect blend for your family. Buon appetito!

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