Fresh Tomato Sauce

INGREDIENTS: 3 pounds medium on-the-vine tomatoes

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

⅓ cup finely minced shallot or onion

2 large garlic cloves, finely minced

½ teaspoon sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

¼ teaspoon cane sugar

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 sprig fresh basil INSTRUCTIONS:

Slice the tomatoes in half and scoop out the seeds. Set a box grater over a large bowl and press the cut side of the tomato flesh against the large holes of the grater. Grate the tomato flesh into the bowl, leaving the skins behind.

Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over low heat. Add the shallot, garlic, salt, and a few grinds of pepper and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often.

Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, cane sugar, oregano, red pepper flakes, and basil sprig. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard the basil sprig and season to taste.

**If you want to avoid using tomato paste, you can just cook it down and simmer it a little longer to boil off some of the water.

Credit to: Fresh Tomato Sauce Recipe - Love and Lemons