Fresh Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce

Sometimes a quick sauce made with fresh tomatoes is the perfect finish for a dish – like these for these rich and creamy Two Cheese and Salami Stuffed Rigatoni.  Very straightforward with only a few ingredients – but with a special flavor that’s almost impossible to find outside of your own kitchen!

While this recipe is enough for two large servings of pasta or to top one large casserole, it multiplies very easily.

Ingredients for Fresh Tomato and Basil Sauce Recipe:

• 4 large ripe plum tomatoes, blanched peeled and seeded
• 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 large leaves fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and Pepper

Directions:

To start, blanch the tomatoes. I like to do this in the simmering water I am going to use for the pasta. Just place the tomatoes in , cover for about four minutes or until the skins of the tomatoes have split. Then, using a slotted spoon, remove from the water to a colander and allow to drain and cool.

Meanwhile you’ll want to mince the garlic and cut the basil into thin strips (also called a chiffonade). Just stack your basil leaves on top of each other……..

roll the leaves lengthwise…….

and then cut across to makes the strips of basil.

• Back to the tomatoes – when cool enough to handle, slip the skins off, cut in half horizontally and shake or gently squish out most of the seeds. Note: if some of the skin stays on, and some of the seeds remain it is perfectly OK!
• Dice the tomatoes, removing just the little stem connection.
• Add the olive oil to a skillet along with the garlic and several grinds of black pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Heat on medium low until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
•  Add the tomatoes and basil, stirring and breaking up the tomatoes for a few minutes.  
• On low, continue to simmer, stirring often until much of the liquid is released from the tomatoes and then reduced to a thick sauce – about 5 minutes.
• Taste for salt and pepper, add to a pasta dish for baking, or toss with boiled pasta of your choice. Enjoy!