The Good Sauce

Credit: Rose Levy Beranbaum, “The Bread Bible.”

Ingredients

1 C. peeled, seeded, chopped ripe tomatoes with the juices (I leave the skin on mine)

OR

1 C. canned crushed tomatoes with juices

1 TBS olive oil

1 large clove of garlic, shopped

1/4 tsp. hot pepper flakes

2 tsp chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp. dried (fresh is better!)

1/4 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

In a small saucepan, combine all of the ingredients and simmer, stirring frequently until reduced to about 3/4 C., 10-12 minutes.  Taste for seasoning and cool.  Use chunky or process for a few seconds in a food processor.