Tomato Sauce (Simple)

Given that good fresh tomatoes are a rare commodity and that we wanted a tomato sauce recipe that home cooks could use year-round, we decided to use canned tomatoes. After conducting a number of tests, we determined the crucial ingredients to be garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, salt, and sugar. We discovered that a garlic purée, diluted with water and sautéed briefly in olive oil, provided a mild, even garlic flavour while greatly reducing the possibility of overcooking the garlic.

1 (28 oz) can diced or whole tomatoes, not packed in purée or sauce
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped (about 8 leaves)
¼ tsp. granulated sugar
1½ tsp. kosher salt

If you use whole canned tomatoes, avoid those packed in sauce or purée, which results in a dull, relatively flavourless sauce without the interplay of sweetness and acidity. If you choose Muir Glen Diced Tomatoes instead, use the can's entire contents, without discarding any liquid. The pasta and sauce quantities can be doubled, but you will have to simmer the sauce for an extra five or six minutes to thicken it. Note that the salt in this recipe is added in two batches; if you are using the sauce for something other than pasta, simply salt to taste rather than adding the second quantity of salt. Although ¾ of a lb of pasta may seem an odd quantity, a full lb of pasta will dilute the sauce, resulting in a lack of flavour.

If using whole tomatoes, drain and reserve liquid. Dice tomatoes either by hand or in work bowl of food processor fitted with metal blade (three or four pulses at ½ second). Tomatoes should be coarse, with ¼" pieces visible. If necessary, add enough reserved liquid to tomatoes to total 2 cups.

Mix garlic with 1 tsp. water in small bowl. Heat oil and garlic mixture in 10" sauté pan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil, sugar, and salt, and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Serve over pasta.

Dresses ¾ lb pasta.