QUICK AND DELICIOUS ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

I'm always searching for quick, easy and delicious recipes. When I found the recipe for today's blog I couldn't wait to try it. It's titled Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce.....and that's exactly what it is, simple!

I love finding base recipes like this that can be used multiple ways. Let's face it, most of us like fast and easy especially during our hectic week days, add in nutritious and it's a winner!

The ingredients are simple and the preparation minimal......do I have your attention yet?

Let's get started-

1. Place  5-6 pounds of medium or small tomatoes, stem removed on a 1-inch lip cookie sheet
**Add 1 medium head of garlic, peeled ( I chopped mine, but you can leave it as cloves if you wish.)
**Drizzle 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil over the top of the tomatoes.
**Then sprinkle 1/2 cup fresh torn basil leaves over top.
**Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over tops of tomatoes.

2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F, and bake for 4 hours or until tomatoes are soft and bursting.

3. Allow to cool then pour into a blender in batches. Pulse 
2-3 times then blend for 1 minute or until desired chunkiness. 
Pour into quart jar or pour into freezer bags and freeze flat. Will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week or 4 months in freezer.

I wish I had used this method of roasting tomatoes when my daughters were young. I also love the idea of no added sugar. The roasting process brings such a sweet taste to the tomatoes there is no need to add anything else!

Dinner last night was so easy and delicious, Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce over whole wheat Fusilli pasta and kale salad. Yes, it was a hubby approved!

Here are a few ideas on how to use the sauce:

* Add milk or half and half to make tomato soup.
* Add meatballs
* Add sauteed ground beef to make a Bolognese type sauce
* Great for dipping into garlic bread
* Add Parmesan
* Use as a base and add lots of veggies for a chunky sauce

Use your imagination and fit the sauce into your own "family food style!" 

Don't forget to add this delish recipe to your quick dinner menu......


Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Kathleen

P.S.   I'd like to WELCOME all of our new friends that found us when we were featured on Kris's blog, Junk Chic Cottage, last Saturday.  SPOTLIGHT: LIFE BEHIND THE BLOGGER   http://junkchiccottage.blogspot.com/2014/08/saturday-spotlight-life-behind-blogger.html

 Don't forget to stop by The Lavender Bouquet on Facebook where each week we feature a PINTEREST PICK OF THE WEEK AND share other great ideas not found on the blog!

***Original recipe may be found at http://www.foodiecrush.com/2014/8/simple-roasted-tomato-sauce/  
THANK YOU!!