No-Cook Tomato Sauce

NOTE: We found that the oven heat "cooks" the tomato sauce when making thin-crust pizza. Simply combine canned crushed tomatoes, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper and then spread the mixture on the dough as needed. When shopping for crushed tomatoes, look for a brand that lists tomatoes, not tomato puree, as the first ingredient. In our testing, we have found that Muir Glen and Progresso are both excellent products. This recipe yields about 3 cups of sauce. Note that because of the lower oven temperature, no-cook tomato sauce will make deep-dish pizza soggy; follow the Thick Tomato Sauce variation at right when making deep-dish pizza.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine tomatoes, oil, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in medium bowl. Set aside at room temperature for up to several hours. (Sauce may be refrigerated in airtight container for 3 days.)

VARIATIONS:

Spicy No-Cook Tomato Sauce

Add 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes.

No-Cook Tomato Sauce with Basil

Add 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil leaves.

Thick Tomato Sauce

Place all ingredients in medium saucepan and simmer until thick and reduced to 2¹/₂ cups, about 20 minutes.