Recipe: All Purpose Homemade Tomato Sauce (low sodium)

ALL PURPOSE HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 Tablespoon water
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce) can no salt added crushed tomatoes
1 Tablespoon no salt added tomato paste
2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)
2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil (or 2 teaspoons dried basil)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add onion and saute, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

Add 1 tablespoon water and continue sauteing until onion is translucent.

Add garlic, stirring, and saute another minute. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, salt and pepper. Stir, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Taste and re-season, if necessary.

VARIATIONS:

WITH VEGETABLES:
Add frozen vegetables, canned mushrooms or sauteed fresh veggies just before serving this easy, basic sauce.

FOR CHILI:
Add chili powder, cilantro and canned, rinsed and drained kidney beans and garnish with chopped raw onion and shredded reduced- fat cheddar cheese.

FOR CASSEROLES:
Add chopped leftover meat, poultry or fish (3 oz. per serving) plus a layer of pasta or brown rice, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and bake for 20 minutes.

FOR PASTA OR RICE:
Add cubed tofu, poultry, meat or fish and toss with chopped vegetables to serve over whole wheat pasta or brown rice.

Makes 6 servings

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 24 Calories; 2g Fat (81.9% calories from fat); trace Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat.

Source: American Institute for Cancer Research, March 2004