LPB Red Sauce

This is quick and easy but if you really want to save time just buy a jar of Rao’s sauce at your local supermarket.  I know, store bought is kind a no no, but I use this when making side dishes and a little sauce is needed.  I just heat up some olive oil in a saucepan over a medium flame and put in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes and look cook for 5 minutes then add the sauce and let it simmer for 15 minutes or so.  But if you are making a pasta dish and want an fresh sauce try this.

Ingredients 

• 2 28 ounce cans of whole peeled tomatoes, put in a bowl and crushed with your hands, saving all the juices
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup of shallots, peeled and finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped

Making It

• Put a large sauce pan over medium-high heat and drizzle the olive oil, then add the shallots and cook until translucent, 5-7 minutes
• Add the shallots, garlic and pepper flakes and cook for not more than two minutes and immediately add the tomatoes and add the salt and pepper, cook for 30 minutes
• Add the basil and depending on what you are using the sauce, add a 1/2 cup of freshly ground parmesan cheese