Marinara Sauce

I mean, of course you can buy jarred tomato sauce, and there are a few good ones, but there is nothing like homemade. Canned plum tomatoes make an easy and delicious marinara sauce make a delicious and EASY tomato sauce. You can make this sauce with fresh tomatoes as well, especially this summer when the tomatoes are the juiciest & most flavorful. This also freezes so beautifully.

Marinara Sauce

Makes about 1 Quart or 6 servings

Ingredients:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

8 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

One 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, lightly crushed with their liquid or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large saute pan (I use a 3-quart saucepan) over medium high heat. Add the dried oregano, crushed red pepper, and garlic to the oil and cook until lightly browned.

2. Slide the tomatoes carefully and their liquid into the oil. Bring to a boil, and season lightly with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Lower the heat so the sauce is at a simmer with cook for 20 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with a whisk or a spoon.

4. Taste the sauce and season with salt and more red pepper if necessary.