Homemade Spanish Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) ripe tomatoes, diced 2 pounds (900g) ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 14g, 8g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the diced tomatoes to the pan and stir well.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle in the paprika, cumin, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until the spices are evenly distributed.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool slightly.
8. 8.
   Transfer the sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth.
9. 9.
   If desired, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp.
10. 10.
    Serve the homemade Spanish tomato sauce warm or let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomatoes — Choose ripe and flavorful tomatoes for the best taste. If fresh tomatoes are not available, you can use canned diced tomatoes as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
• This tomato sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer shelf life.
• Customize the sauce by adding your favorite herbs such as basil or parsley.
• Use this sauce as a base for Spanish rice dishes like paella or as a topping for grilled vegetables.

Serving advice

Serve the homemade Spanish tomato sauce as a dipping sauce for crusty bread, as a topping for grilled meats or seafood, or as a base for Spanish-inspired pasta dishes.

Presentation advice

Garnish the tomato sauce with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or basil. Serve it in a small bowl or ramekin alongside the main dish.