This is a really useful basic sauce and can be adapted in many ways – it’s delicious stirred through pasta or as a base for stews, soups and pizzas.
Method
- Peel and finely chop the garlic.
- Place the oil into a large frying pan on a medium heat.
- Add the garlic, herbs and fry for around 2 minutes, or until lightly golden. Keep stirring them to stop them burning.
- Add the tomatoes, squashing and breaking them up slightly with a spoon.
- Add a splash of water to the empty tomato tins, give them a swirl and pour into the pan.
- Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for around 15 minutes or until thickened and reduced, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and let it continue ‘cooking’ in its own heat for another 15 minutes with the lid on or covered with a plate.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar and stir well.
- Have a taste and season with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper.
Ingredients
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoons mixed herbs
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- Salt
- Black pepper
Chefs tip: Batch cook this recipe for meals throughout the week. Double the quantities and use it in different ways either reheating in the microwave or quickly on the stove. Ideas for 3 meals:
Arrabbiata Sauce to go with spaghetti. Add 1 teaspoon of dried chillies or chilli powder and fresh parsley. Dried oregano also works well.
Marinara Sauce to go with any pasta shapes. Add 1 tin of mackerel (or tuna, sardines) and an extra clove of garlic if you wish!
Vegetable sauce. Add any fresh / tinned or frozen vegetable or pulse. Sweetcorn goes really well. Serve with pasta or rice or on top of potatoes.
Nutrition tip: Tomatoes are even more nutritious when cooked! This is because when they are heated, they release an antioxidant called lycopene (this gives them their red colour). Lycopene has positive effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels and risk of certain cancers.
Adding oil to cooked tomatoes helps our body absorb even more lycopene, so this sauce ticks all the boxes!
