Homemade Tomato Sauce

Directions

• Wash the tomatoes and make a small “X” shaped cut on the bottom of each one.
• In a large pot, bring water to a boil. 
  Place the tomatoes in the boiling water for about 1-2 minutes, or until the skin starts to come away.
• Remove the tomatoes from the boiling water and plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process. 
  This will make it easier to remove the skin. 
  Then peel the tomatoes.
• Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds and core. 
  Chop the tomato pulp into small pieces.
• In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. 
  Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they are soft and translucent.
• Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and stir well. 
  Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are soft and most of the liquid has evaporated.
• If you prefer a sweeter tomato sauce, add the sugar and mix well. 
  Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  If desired, add some fresh basil leaves for flavor.
• Reduce the heat to low and let the tomato sauce cook for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired consistency. 
  If it’s too thick, you can add a little water.
• Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly before using it. 
  You can store homemade tomato sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for later use.