Stoveless Tomato Sauce

Stoveless Tomato Sauce (Photo Credit: theobsessivechef.blogspot.com)

With September just around the corner, I have been craving my favorite fall recipes. However, the last few weeks of summer heat are sweltering, and I don’t want to heat up my stove too often when it’s already so hot outside.

Luckily, I have devised a solution. After much experimentation, I have found a way to make my favorite fall staple – homemade tomato sauce – without ever turning on my stove. The sauce is delicious and so fresh tasting! Place over pasta, and you have the perfect dish to help cool you down on a hot August night.

Ingredients for Stoveless Tomato Sauce

4-5 fresh tomatoes

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoon dried oregano

salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Stoveless Tomato Sauce

Chop your tomatoes. You can use several different varieties of tomato or stick to the same. My sauce is usually a collaboration of what came out of our backyard garden that week. Place the tomatoes in a blender along with minced garlic and olive oil. (***If raw garlic is too strong for your tastes, you may have to turn on the stove. Saute the garlic for about three minutes in a tablespoon of olive oil.***)
Remove the stems from the basil leaves and bruise them to release flavor. I just ball them up in my hand. Add the leaves to the blender, and enjoy the smell of basil in your kitchen.
Add balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper to the blender. You can use fresh oregano, but I happen to think that dried oregano has more depth of flavor to it.
Blend your ingredients together. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, pulse your ingredients so you can control the consistency. If you prefer smoother sauce, puree that puppy! Adjust salt and pepper to taste.