Pizza sauce

Homemade Pizza Sauce – The Perfect Delight for Your Pizzeria

Who doesn't love a delicious pizza? With homemade pizza sauce, every slice becomes an unforgettable culinary experience! Making this sauce is an art in itself, and once you've tried our recipe, you'll never go back to the store-bought version. This sauce is not only healthier but also much tastier, with a rich and authentic flavor that will delight your taste buds.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 2 liters of sauce

Magical Ingredients:

- 3 kg of red bell peppers (these will add natural sweetness to the sauce)
- 1 small celery (adds a subtle flavor and pleasant consistency)
- 5 kg of ripe tomatoes (the tomatoes are the base of the sauce, and fresh ones will provide excellent taste)
- 3 onions (for caramelized sweetness)
- 1 hot pepper (for a touch of spice)
- 500 ml of olive oil (for a smooth texture)
- Salt (to taste)
- Basil (fresh or dried, for flavor)
- Oregano (for a Mediterranean taste)
- Thyme (for an earthy note)

Preparing the Sauce: Step by Step

1. Preparing the Ingredients:
Start by thoroughly washing the bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, and onions. Cut the red bell peppers into large pieces, and dice the celery and onions. The hot pepper can be left whole or chopped if you prefer a spicier sauce.

2. Grinding the Ingredients:
Use a meat grinder or food processor to grind the peppers, celery, and onions. This step will turn the ingredients into a homogeneous and flavorful paste.

3. Heating the Oil:
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground vegetable mixture and sauté for about 10-15 minutes, until the onions become translucent and the peppers release their aroma.

4. Adding the Tomatoes:
Press the tomatoes through a potato masher or blender to obtain a puree. Add the tomato puree to the pot over the sautéed vegetable mixture. This step will give the sauce a rich and creamy consistency.

5. Seasoning the Sauce:
Add salt, basil, oregano, and thyme to taste. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

6. Blending the Sauce:
After the sauce has simmered, use an immersion blender to puree everything until you achieve a smooth paste. This is the stage where the sauce will blend its flavors and become homogeneous.

7. Bottling:
Pour the hot sauce into clean, dry bottles or jars. It is important to ensure that the containers are sterilized to prevent contamination. Cover them with a thick towel or blankets to keep them warm until the next day.

Serving Suggestions:
This pizza sauce can be used to make pizza at home, but it is also delicious served alongside grilled meats or as a base for other sauces. You can add goat cheese or fresh mozzarella for an even more savory experience.

Possible Variations:
- You can experiment with other spices, such as smoked paprika or rosemary, to vary the flavors of the sauce.
- If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a tablespoon of brown sugar during cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use canned tomatoes?
Yes, canned tomatoes can be used, but make sure to choose varieties without additives or preservatives.

2. Can I freeze the sauce?
Absolutely! Homemade pizza sauce freezes very well. Just make sure to divide it into portions and keep it in airtight containers.

3. How spicy is this sauce?
The spiciness of the sauce can be adjusted according to your preferences. You can add more or less hot pepper to achieve your desired intensity.

Nutritional Benefits:
This sauce is packed with vitamins and antioxidants due to the fresh ingredients like tomatoes and peppers. The olive oil adds healthy fats, and the spices used are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Calories:
A serving of sauce (approximately 100g) contains about 120 calories, depending on the oil content and ingredients used. It is a much healthier choice compared to commercial sauces, which may contain additives and added sugars.

Now that you have all the necessary details, all that's left is to grab the ingredients and get to work! Creating this homemade pizza sauce is a satisfying process, and its aroma will fill your kitchen with an unmistakable fragrance. Enjoy every moment spent in the kitchen and savor the result of your hard work!