How To Make Delicious Pasta Sauce in Twenty Minutes

That antiquated scene of grandma simmering tomato sauce on the back of the stove for six hours is cute and all, but if you're not starting with perfectly ripened tomatoes from your garden, there's no need to spend all day on sauce.  Find a good brand of organic crushed tomatoes, or tomatoes labeled "San Marzano" (which is a region, not a brand), plus a few choice herbs and spices - you'll be good to go.


Here's how I do a batch:


INGREDIENTS:
Two 28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes
Three cloves fresh minced garlic
One tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Olive oil
A dash of red pepper flakes (to taste)
About half a cup fine chopped parsley (or parsley/basil mix)
Handful of grated Pecorino Romano


STEPS:
1. Put saucepan just above medium heat.
2. Drizzle in a shallow layer of olive oil, throw in garlic and red pepper flakes.  Simmer until garlic is just starting to turn golden and aromatic (not brown and burnt!).
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, plus salt, black pepper, and parsley.
4. Once bubbling, reduce heat to simmer.  Let it go for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Turn heat off, add Pecorino Romano, stir up.  Serve with SPAGETT!