MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06 Title: Fresh Tomato Sauce - Pasta Alla Pomarola Categories: Pasta, Sauces Yield: 1 servings 1 1/2 lb Ripe Italian plum tomatoes -(675 g) 4 tb Olive oil (60 ml) 1 Onion; finely chopped 2 oz Fresh or dried spaghetti -(56 g) 1 sm Handful fresh basil leaves Salt and ground black pepper Parmesan; coarsely shaved, -to serve With a sharp knife, cut a cross in the bottom (flower) end of each tomato. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and remove from the heat. Plunge a few of the tomatoes into the water, leave for 30 seconds or so, then lift them out with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes then peel off the skin and roughly chop the flesh. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and cook over low heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until softened and lightly colored. Add the tomatoes with salt and pepper to taste, bring to a simmer, then turn the heat down to low and cover the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until thick. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Shred the basil leaves finely. Remove the sauce from the heat, stir in the basil and taste for seasoning. Drain the pasta, tip it into a warmed bowl, pour the sauce over and toss well. Serve immediately with shaved Parmesan added separately. Notes: The Italian plum tomatoes called San Marzano are the best variety to use. When fully ripe, they have thin skins that peel off easily. In Italy, cooks often make this sauce in bulk in the summer months and freeze it in usable quantities in rigid containers. Thaw before reheating. Variations: Some Neapolitan cooks add a little crushed garlic with the onion and some used chopped fresh oregano or flat leaf parsley with the basil. It is a matter of personal taste. Recipe FROM: The Cook's Encyclopedia of Pasta. Jeni Wright. London: Lorenz Books, 2002. Recipe by Jeni Wright MMMMM