Simple Creole Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cups tomato concassÈ (peeled, seeded and diced)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons chiffonade of fresh basil (leaves stacked, rolled and sliced thin), plus extra for garnish

Instructions

In a shallow saucepan heat oil, add onions and green pepper, and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 4 more minutes. Add tomato paste, stir well, cook 4 minutes, then add tomatoes. Add a little water to thin, if needed and cook 10 minutes. Finish by adjusting seasonings and stirring in basil. Sprinkle with extra basil when serving.

Yield: About 3 cups