How do you make marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes? If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, you’ll know that the key to a delicious marinara sauce lies in the freshness of the ingredients. Using ripe, fresh tomatoes is the secret to achieving that rich, vibrant flavor that makes marinara sauce the perfect companion for pasta, pizza, and more. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes, so you can enjoy this classic Italian staple at home.
First, gather your ingredients. To make marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes, you’ll need the following:
– 8 ripe tomatoes
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/2 cup of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Optional: red pepper flakes, sugar, or a bay leaf
Next, prepare the tomatoes. Start by washing the tomatoes and cutting them into quarters. In a large pot, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the tomato quarters to the boiling water and blanch them for about 30 seconds. Remove the tomatoes from the water and plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process. This will make it easier to peel the tomatoes later.
While the tomatoes are cooling, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it’s translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to burn it.
Peel the tomatoes and add them to the saucepan. Using a potato masher, crush the tomatoes to release their juices. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the pot. If you’re using red pepper flakes, add them now as well. Stir the ingredients together and let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
During the last 10 minutes of simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it using an immersion blender or a regular blender. Remember to let the sauce cool slightly before blending to avoid hot splatters.
Once your marinara sauce is ready, it’s time to enjoy it. Serve it over your favorite pasta, use it as a pizza sauce, or add it to soups and stews. The beauty of making marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes is that you can customize it to your taste. Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, and ingredients to create your own signature sauce.
So, how do you make marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes? By following these simple steps, you can create a delicious, homemade marinara sauce that will impress your family and friends. Buon appetito!
