Tomato Basil Sauce

🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes | 🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon butter

• 6-8 San Marzano tomatoes

• 1 red 

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ - ½ cup fresh basil

• ¼ cup feta

• ¼ cup parmesan 

• ¼ - ½ cup pasta water, reserved

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, boil salted water for pasta.

2. Heat olive oil and butter on medium heat in a large, preferably cast iron, skillet.

3. Add whole tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper.

4. Cover and cook for ten minutes. Stir the onions and peppers a few times.

5. Turn tomatoes over and cover again. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until all tomatoes are soft and juicy. 

6. Peel off skins and mash into sauce. 

7. Add dry seasonings and fresh basil. Mix well.

8. Add ¼ - ½ cup pasta water. Simmer for another five minutes. 

9. Transfer sauce to a bowl and blend thoroughly with an immersion blender. Return sauce to skillet.

10. Add feta and parmesan. Combine well.

11. Add pasta to sauce and combine well. Use additional pasta water as desired. 

12. Garnish with additional basil and feta, if desired.
    

💚The Healthy Bit: Tomatoes 💚
It is summer and that means it is time for tomatoes!

Tomatoes are a good source of potassium and lycopene, both of which support heart health. Lycopene, in particular, may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, the Vitamin A and Vitamin C in tomatoes can help protect the skin from sun damage and promote overall skin health and a healthy immune system. Tomatoes also contain carotenoids, like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for eye health and may protect against age-related macular degeneration.