Cooking for Seven

Sauce is so important to a homemade pizza. I’m sure you could buy a very good bottled sauce. But why not make your own and control what goes into it?

This recipe makes a slightly sweet pizza sauce. The maple syrup helps to balance the acidity of the tomato paste. If you would like a less sweet version, simply decrease the amount of maple syrup.

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:: Quick Homemade Pizza Sauce ::

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Ingredients:

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup

1-2 tablespoons red cooking wine (optional but very good)

1/4 cup water

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan. Whisk together until well combined. Place over low heat and cook until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Makes about 3/4 cup, or enough for two large pizzas

P.S. It’s Kitchen Tip Tuesday…

Grilling season is just about over. But we like to eat barbecue sauce all through the year: barbecue pizza, in a chicken panini sandwich, or just slathered on pork roast. Here is a recipe that doesn’t require chopping vegetables and hours of cooking, just a few special ingredients.

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:: Smoky BBQ Sauce ::

Ingredients:

• 1 (6 0z.) can tomato paste
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke

Directions:

Whisk all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Store in the refrigerator.

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