Garden Fresh Tomato Sauce (Recipe)

When your summer garden is overflowing with fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes, use the slow cooker to whip up several batches of this sauce to stash in the freezer.  If you don't grow your own, try Roma tomatoes from the market.  Serve over your favorite pasta, grilled vegetables, chicken, or fish.

Ingredients

3 1/2 to 4 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 large red onion, chopped

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons dried basil

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Steps

1.  In a 3 1/2 or 4 quart electric slow cooker, mix together the tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, red onion, olive oil, garlic, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2.  Cover and cook on the low heat setting 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

3.  Stir in the sugar, vinegar, and fresh basil.  Increase the heat setting to high and cook, uncovered, 1/2 hour longer to chicken the sauce slightly.