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–+ servings

"Grate" Tomato Sauce

This quick fresh tomato sauce is made without peeling or coring—just grate the tomatoes and simmer with shallots, garlic, tomato paste, and chili flakes for a simple, flavour-packed sauce. This recipe makes enough to sauce about 2 pounds pasta, serving 8 people. It freezes beautifully.
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Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 76 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 box grater

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilogram ripe summer tomatoes (medium or large)
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 shallots, peeled and finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, grated or pushed through garlic press
  • 2 Tablespoons Tomato powder, or Tomato paste
  • 2 teasspoons Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, or 1 teaspoon Morton's Kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/4 -1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, or red pepper flakes
  • 2 sprigs fresh basil, about 16 basil leaves
  • 1 Tablespoon sherry or red wine vinegar, optional

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the tomatoes: Slice tomatoes in half and gently squeeze out the seeds. Place a box grater over a large bowl. Using the side with the large holes, grate the cut side of each tomato until only the skin remains in your hand. Discard the skins.
  • Cook the aromatics: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the diced shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes until softened. If they begin to brown too quickly, add ¼ cup water to prevent burning. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Build the base: Add the tomato paste (or tomato powder), salt, honey, and Aleppo pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavour.
  • Simmer the sauce: Add the grated tomatoes and basil sprigs. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
  • Finish and adjust seasoning: Remove the basil sprigs. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed—add more salt if desired, or a splash of vinegar if the sauce needs brightness.

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 368mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1279IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
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