How to make simple sauce, an essential basic preparation to know especially for those less experienced in the kitchen, with small steps and details.
And then I’ll explain why it’s important for me to add or not a pinch of sugar to the sauce.
Many indeed present opposing theories about doing it.
Personally, I find that adding just a pinch of sugar to the tomato helps to reduce its acidity during cooking. So for me, it’s a yes.
Simple sauce is a basic preparation suitable for seasoning all kinds of pasta and also perfect for preparing the classic meatballs with sauce.
In this case, we will use the classic bottles or packages that are easily found on the market.
In a few months, I will reveal how I make my puree with fresh tomatoes.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 18 oz tomato puree
- 1 tsp fine salt
- Half white onion
- 1 pinch sugar
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups water (also for rinsing the tomato container)
- to taste basil
Tools
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Pan
- Paper towel
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Spatula
Steps
The steps on How to Make Simple Sauce.
Peel the onion, cut it in half, and remove the root and top part.
Dice it.
Pour the extra virgin olive oil into a 9.5-inch non-stick pan.
Heat it over low flame for 1 minute.
Add the onion and, stirring occasionally, let it soften for 4 minutes over low flame.
After this time, add the tomato puree.
Add the portion of water.
Clean the basil with a dampened paper towel and add it to the sauce. Then add the salt and the pinch of sugar.
Stir.
Cook from boiling for another 15 minutes, always stirring occasionally.
The sauce should be smooth and homogeneous.
If needed, continue cooking for 5 minutes.
You can prepare the sauce in advance and store it as you prefer.
Let it cool well and then place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for a maximum of 48 hours.
You can also freeze it, always after letting it cool, in convenient portions, always in well-sealed jars.
