Fresh Ingredients Pizza Sauce

Making a fresh and delicious pizza sauce is easy and can elevate the flavor of your homemade pizzas. Here's a simple recipe for fresh pizza sauce using fresh ingredients:

TOTAL TIME: 10 mins

INGREDIENTS:  

• 6-8 ripe tomatoes (or you can use canned tomatoes)
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosmary (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1-2 teaspoons sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

Prepare the Tomatoes: If using fresh tomatoes, blanch them first to remove the skins. To do this, bring a large pot of water to a boil. 

Score the bottom of each tomato with a shallow "X" and drop them into the boiling water for about 30 seconds. 

Remove the tomatoes and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water. The skins should easily peel off. 

If using canned San Marzano tomatoes, you can skip this step.

Crush the Tomatoes: If using fresh tomatoes, roughly chop them. 

If using canned tomatoes, open the can and crush the tomatoes with your hands or use a blender for a few quick pulses to break them down. 

You can leave the sauce slightly chunky for a rustic texture.

Cook the Sauce: In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.

Add the Tomatoes: Add the crushed tomatoes to the saucepan. Stir well to combine with the garlic and oil.

Season: Add the dried oregano, dried basil, rosmary, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to incorporate the seasonings evenly into the sauce.

Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld, and the sauce to thicken. 

If you want a thicker sauce, you can simmer it for a bit longer.

Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings to your liking. 

If the sauce tastes too acidic, you can add a teaspoon or two of sugar to balance the flavors.

Use or Store: Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency and flavor, you can use it immediately on your pizza dough or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. It also freezes well for longer storage.

Now you have a delicious, fresh pizza sauce to use on your homemade pizzas. Enjoy!

Nutritional values per 1/4 cup (approximately 60 grams) of homemade pizza sauce:

• Calories: 20-30 calories
• Total Fat: 1-2 grams
• Saturated Fat: 0-0.3 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
• Sodium: 200-400 milligrams (varies based on added salt)
• Total Carbohydrates: 4-6 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
• Sugars: 2-3 grams (from natural sugars in tomatoes)
• Protein: 1-2 grams

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients used, such as the type and brand of tomatoes, olive oil, and seasonings. 

Additionally, the portion size you use on your pizza will affect the overall nutritional content of your meal.

If you have specific dietary concerns or are following a particular diet plan, it's advisable to calculate the exact nutritional content based on the specific ingredients and quantities you use in your homemade pizza sauce. 

You can do this using a nutritional calculator or app, which can provide more accurate information based on your recipe.