Make Your Own Tomato Sauce

There's a great song "Home Grown Tomatoes" By Guy Clark....

 And I totally agree! Funny enough; I don't really like to eat raw tomatoes. But I love me my tomato soup. With lots of crackers.

My sauce garden!

 And there's nothing in the world like a good old fashioned home grown tomato sauce!

Sauce in progress! My Mom's old kitchen; not a lot of space but we managed.

Great Tomato Sauce

8-10 nice juicy ripe Tomatoes - cored, chopped, ready to use OR 3 Large cans chopped tomatoes

Two large sweet onions  - Chopped

1 each Red and Green Pepper - Chopped

5 cloves Garlic - Minced

5 stalks Celery - Chopped

2 Shallots - Chopped

Peppercorns Crushed 2 Tsp

Salt  1 tsp or to taste

Brown Sugar 3 Tsp (to taste)

Italian seasoning 4 Tsp (to taste)

Dash Louisiana Hot Sauce

4-6 leaves fresh Basil leaves

In large deep frying pan,  preheat on med-high and cover bottom with olive oil. 

Continuing on med-high heat brown onions, garlic & shallots. 

Once caramelized add in the peppers and celery, reduce heat to medium.

About three minutes later, or when your peppers have turned 'bright', add in your tomatoes (canned or fresh.)

Add Salt, Pepper and Italian seasoning. Gently 'crush' tomatoes with a potato masher, stir all together. I would not recommend an inmmersion blender (unless you want this a puree) as the beauty is in the chunky sauce.

Cover and let simmer for half hour, stirring occasionally. Taste at the 30 minute mark, adjusting your spices. Add lid and on your lowest heat setting, simmer another hour.

I finish off my sauce with a couple of splashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce and serve with fresh basil.

What is your favourite pasta to top? Any recipe tips to share? Would love to share them!