1 . Easy, kid-friendly ways to make tomato sauce

You can’t beat the convenience of tomato sauce from a jar, but what about when you’re desiring something a little more homemade? You don’t need to keep an Italian grandmother on speed-dial.     1     Use two pints (品脱) of tomatoes in the following formulas to make approximately three servings’ worth of sauce.

No-cook tomato sauce

    2     Add all the ingredients to a large bowl, sprinkle generously with salt, and stir in a few tablespoons of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 2 or 3 hours at room temperature to allow the salt to soften the tomatoes and meld the flavors.

Cherry tomato pan sauce

Slice the tomatoes in half and thinly slice or mince 1 or 2 garlic cloves (depending on how much you love garlic).     3     Cover and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have mostly softened into a stirrable sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper, along with any fresh or dried herbs.

Roasted or grilled tomato sauce

Keep the tomatoes whole for this version. Preheat a conventional oven or toaster oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or preheat a gas grill to medium heat. For oven-roasting, place the tomatoes in a single layer in a baking dish. Roast for about 20 to 25 minutes, or grill for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are starting to burst and the skins are starting to char.     4    

    5     So you can add other ingredients you may have on hand. Add more, or cut back on, garlic depending on your tolerance. Experiment with adding a few shallots instead of an onion. Stir in chopped fresh or dried herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary and parsley. If you like heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.