Peasant Sauce It's What to Do with All Those Fresh Tomatoes
Transform your garden-fresh bounty into a rich, rustic masterpiece with "Peasant Sauce: It's What to Do with All Those Fresh Tomatoes." This simple yet flavorful sauce is the perfect solution for using up ripe tomatoes, combining them with olive oil, tender sautéed onions, fragrant garlic, and a burst of fresh basil. Slowly simmered to perfection, this versatile sauce allows you to customize its texture—rustic and hearty or smooth and velvety—making it ideal for pasta, pizza bases, or even as a dipping sauce. With optional red pepper flakes for a hint of spice and a touch of sugar to balance acidity, this recipe celebrates the natural sweetness of summer's finest produce. Ready in under an hour, it’s a kitchen staple you can enjoy immediately or freeze for future meals. Perfect for those looking for an easy homemade tomato sauce that embraces fresh, wholesome ingredients!
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Ingredients
- 6 cups (diced) fresh tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium (finely chopped) yellow onion
- 4 cloves (minced) garlic
- 10 (chopped) fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoons (freshly ground) black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoons (optional) red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon (optional, for balancing acidity) sugar
- 0.25 cups water or vegetable stock
Directions
Step 1
Wash and dice the fresh tomatoes. If you'd like a smoother sauce, you can peel them by blanching them in boiling water for 30 seconds, transferring them into ice water, and removing the skins.
Step 2
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Step 3
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
Step 4
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 5
Add the diced tomatoes to the pan, along with the basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
Step 6
Pour in the water or vegetable stock to prevent the sauce from getting too thick and simmer on low to medium heat, uncovered, for about 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Step 7
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning. If the tomatoes are very acidic, stir in the sugar to balance the flavors.
Step 8
For a rustic texture, use the back of a wooden spoon to gently mash some of the tomatoes while cooking. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend to your desired consistency.
Step 9
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove it from heat.
Step 10
Serve over pasta, use as a pizza base, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1381.3g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 670.9 |
| Total Fat 44.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 6.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2637.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 64.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 17.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 38.9g | |
| Protein 12.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 180.5mg | 0% |
| Iron 4.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 3021.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories