Homemade tomato sauce

I think people are intimidated when it comes to making homemade tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes. I have to say though, it really is one of the easiest things to make, and nothing beats fresh tomato sauce. Especially when the tomatoes came from right outside your front door. Wowza, batman. We enjoyed some amazing pasta this week, and here is how you can, too:

gorgeous, dahhling....

 Pick some gorgeous tomatoes. I used mostly heirlooms and a couple romas. First, set a large pot of water to boil on your stove. With a sharp knife, mark a small X in the bottom of each tomato, just cutting the skin. Dunk the tomato in the hot water for about 20 seconds. Pull it out and set aside. let the tomatoes sit for about 5 minutes, then rub your hand over the skin. It should feel loose and fall right off. If its not, stick it back in the water for a few more seconds.

I think its important to skin the tomatoes because if you dont, the sauce can be bitter. Anways, after all of the tomatoes are skinned, hold them over your sink (or garbage can) and squeeze the daylights out of them! Get all of the pulp and seeds out of them- they will also make the sauce bitter. Then, roughly chop them up and put them in a crock pot, like so:

tomato goo!

 Turn the crock pot on high for 4 hours, leaving the lid off. Then, turn it to low, cover, and let it go another 4-6 hours.

This is how I used my tomato sauce: combine 2 tbs olive oil, 1 diced bell pepper, 1/2minced onion and 1/2 lb sausage in a skillet. Cook until sausage is done, stir in tomato sauce and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Simmer for 10 minutes, serve over your favorite pasta with parmesan cheese and bread.