Garden Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce

1/2 cup crushed fresh garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup julienned onions
8 medium fresh ripe tomatoes
1 pinch sugar
Salt to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup coarsely-chopped fresh basil

Add garlic and oil to a medium size sauce pot on low heat. Stir garlic often until evenly golden but not browned. Add onions and continue to saute until onions are sweet and translucent. Again being careful not to brown.

In separate pot bring approximately 2 quarts of water to a boil. Prepare tomatoes by removing core and cut an (X) just through the skin on the bottom of each tomato using a small serrated knife. In a bowl prepare an ice bath consisting of 1 quart ice, and 1 quart cold water.

Blanch prepared tomatoes in boiling water 4 to 6 minutes then remove from boiling water and place them in ice bath until cooled. Remove tomatoes from ice bath, peel off the skins and chop into 1/2-inch dice.

Add diced tomatoes into garlic and onion mixture and turn heat up to medium temperature. Add salt, pepper, and sugar and cook for approximately 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and add basil to finish.

This recipe yields 4 servings of sauce over the pasta of your choice.