Moose’s Basic Pizza Sauce

Ingredients

• 28-ounce can peeled whole tomatoes San Marzano plum tomatoes *
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt or fine sea salt
• 1-1½ teaspoon sugar †
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2-3 fresh basil leaves
• ¼ teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon concentrated tomato paste ‡
• ½ teaspoon crushed dried red pepper flakes optional, to taste

Instructions

When using canned whole peeled tomatoes, carefully spoon out tomatoes into a blender or food processor, pulse the blades 3 to 4 times to “chop” the tomatoes to a slightly chunky texture, but don’t puree them! Transfer the tomatoes to a 1½ to 2-quart saucepan, add any juice or puree left in the can. Gently simmer all of the remaining ingredients over low heat for about 20-25 minutes. This sauce should provide enough topping for about three or four 14” to 15” round pizzas, or two or three 14x14-inch grandma-style pizzas.

Notes

* Cento, Alessi, Delallo brands seem best.

† Adjust amount according to tomato sweetness or acidity.

‡ Optional, if sauce is too thin. If sauce is too thick add a little water.