Pizza Sauce

Pizza Sauce - Actually I wanted to post a veg pizza recipe, but I wasn't sure about the measurements for the pizza base even though I made it from scratch, also it had only capsicum and onion as the topping, so thought I would post a complete pizza with all veggies and yeasted base. The pizza which I and my friends used to eat at a popular fast food joint had the only tomato ketchup as the sauce and as an accompaniment. Soon bigger names like pizza hut, dominos, pizza corner took over and I had an original veg pizza only in these outlets. Making pizza sauce from the scratch is not an uphill task but you need to have some herbs handy. 

What is required:

Veggies:

Tomatoes: Red and juicy Bangalore tomatoes are the best, else make sure that the tomatoes used are not green.

Onion - Bellary onions are used. Shallots not to be used.

Spices and spice powders: Garlic, salt, paprika powder is used

Sweeteners: Tomato ketchup, jaggery powder is used.

Herbs: Marjoram, oregano, rosemary is used. Use whichever herbs you prefer or the mix of herbs available in the supermarkets as Italian seasoning.

Oils and fats: Extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil is used. Use any neutrally flavored oil

Method:

Blanch the tomatoes.

Saute veggies and spices in oil.

Add spice powders, sweeteners, herbs.

Grind to a smooth paste.

Thicken(optional).

Substitutions:

• Instead of paprika powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder can be used.
• Instead of onions and garlic, use onion powder and garlic powder. Add them while grinding. Grind directly after blanching with powders and herbs. Cook the sauce to thicken.

Variations:

Using store-bought tomato puree:

Empty the contents of the pack into a bowl. Add 1 tsp of store-bought onion powder, garlic powder, paprika powder, salt, sugar, herbs. Mix well. Heat olive oil, cook the mixture for a few minutes.

Instant pizza sauce:

Combine 5 parts of tomato sauce with 2 parts of tomato puree. Add 1/2 tsp of onion powder,  garlic powder, paprika powder, a dash of Italian seasoning. Mix well and store it in an smairtight container in the refrigerator.

Pre-preparation:

Put the tomatoes in boiling water till the skin peels. Wash the tomatoes in tap water immediately. Peel the skin.

Equipment used: Saucepan/Kadai, blender.

Recipe:

Homemade pizza sauce

Total Time took: less than 30 minutes.

No. of servings - 4 pizzas.

                1 tsp = 5 ml   

Ingredients with measurements:

Tomatoes - 6(medium-sized)

Onion - 1 (medium)

Garlic - 3/4 cloves

Salt - to taste

Jaggery powder - 1tsp

Olive oil - 2tsp

Paprika powder - 1 tsp

Tomato ketchup - 2 tbsp

Marjoram, oregano, rosemary - a lavish sprinkle.

Directions:

1. Blanch the tomatoes.

2. Heat oil, saute garlic till golden as onion till pink.

3. Add blanched tomatoes, sugar, salt, Cook till tomatoes turn mushy.

4. Switch off the flame, allow to cool down,

5. Add ketchup, herbs and grind to a smooth paste.

6. For a thicker sauce, cook the pasta till it reaches the desired consistency. For the pasta use the sauce as such.

7. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes:

While using store-bought powders no need to cook the sauce again after grinding provided the sauce is thick enough to be spread.