Easy Tomato Sauce

This is the tomato sauce I served with the soya bean croquettes. It could equally be tossed with some pasta for a quick and easy meal. Or poured over some gnocchi. Sometimes I puree it and stir in some single cream. You can vary it according to what you have in the fridge - sometimes, as here, I add some chopped red pepper. Sometimes a chopped chili pepper, or a chopped courgette, some chopped aubergine, a handful of olives, some capers... it really depends what needs eating up and what you feel like. You can also throw in some chopped fresh herbs just before serving. Basil is the best.

Easy Tomato Sauce

good glug of olive oil
1 onion (red, or white, or shallot)
1 or 2 cloves garlic (I used smoked garlic this time)
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 red pepper (antipasto from a jar)
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper

1. Fry the onion in the olive oil until it is soft - if you want it a bit caramelized, throw in the sugar and continue to cook until it browns, it adds a different flavour.

2. Add the garlic - don't cook it for too long or burn it as it goes bitter. Add the mixed herbs and stir around.

3. Throw in the tinned tomatoes, swishing out the tin with a little water and adding that to the pan. If you have some left over, add a glug of wine, or  a dash of balsamic vinegar, so tomato puree if you want it a bit thicker and more tomatoey. Simmer for a few minutes, taste and season.