When life gives you tomatoes... make sauce.

Does this look like summer in a bucket or what? 

My tomato plants have not been looking to spiffy. I do not have a green thumb. Honestly, I just assume that since they are outside my dad will water them. No so much... So I went picking today. The pickings were slim but I got a small bucket filled. But what to do with a bucket of tomatoes? I don't preserve them. I'm not that talented. But I do make some pretty tasty sauce and my mother requested spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Since it was my parents anniversary how could I deny her?

Homemade sauce is simple. Really, you should never have to buy store bought sauce. Store bought is convenient, and yes, it's delicious but there's something rustic and cozy about a homemade sauce. It's comforting, it soothes your soul. You probably already have everything you need to make it in your pantry.

Here's what you'll need:
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
3 cups pureed tomatoes, strained to remove seeds
1 heaping tablespoon each: dried parsley, basil and oregano (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake (more or less if you like)
salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Clean the tomatoes, quarter them and put them in a food processor. Pulse until desired smoothness. Strain through a mesh sieve to remove as many seeds as possible. 

Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and saute until the shallot is just translucent. Add the tomatoes, the herbs, red pepper flake and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered. 

Toss with your favorite pasta and enjoy!