Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce

Directions

1. 1
   Cut tomatoes in half horizontally.
2. 2
   Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish.
3. 3
   Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl.
4. 4
   Discard skins.
5. 5
   You should have about 4 cups.
6. 6
   Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat.
7. 7
   Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf.
8. 8
   Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
9. 9
   Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes.
10. 10
    Taste and adjust salt.
11. 11
    It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.