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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Basil Tomato Sauce


This basil tomato sauce was delicious!  I was trimming my basil plant and needed to use up the basil leaves and a basil tomato sauce was the perfect thing to make.  (I love the smell of fresh basil too!) This sauce is great with pasta or as a pizza sauce too.  I also used a chili pepper instead of chili pepper flakes, so if you don't have a fresh chili pepper from your friend's garden like I did, than you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon of red chili pepper flakes.  I served this basil tomato sauce with capellini pasta.  Enjoy!


Basil Tomato Sauce

Ingredients
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
6 ounce can tomato paste
1 cup water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon garlic, minced (from a jar)
1 small chili pepper, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 bunch fresh basil, torn


Directions

In a heavy pan, over medium heat, add in olive oil.  Add in garlic and chili pepper.  Add in 1 tablespoon butter.  Stir and cook for about 2 or 3 minutes until garlic is lightly browned.




Add in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.  Using the cans, fill about halfway with water and add into pan.   (This will equal to about a cup of water and rinses the can to add in any remaining tomatoes to the sauce.)


Stir in Italian seasoning.


Cover and cook on low for about 30 minutes.


Stir in torn basil leaves.


Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons butter (optional).


Serve with your favorite pasta.  You can also freeze this sauce in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.

Buddy and Ellie like to be in the kitchen with me...probably hoping for a treat from their treat jar on the counter :)