Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce

The girls and I picked about 20 tomatoes from the garden today and we'll have at least that many more tomorrow. Time to start using them fast! Today we decided on some fresh spaghetti sauce and it was one of the best ideas we've had all week! I found the recipe in my KitchenAid blender instruction book of all places. It is new favorite - Leyna had 3 helpings!!!

Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce
adapted from KitchenAid Instructions and Recipes

Ingredients:

2 T olive oil
1/2 C chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, chopped (we grew our own!)
3 cups (about 3 large) peeled, chopped tomatoes (our own as well! I cut x's in the bottom of them, dropped them in boiling water for 30 seconds and threw them in an ice bath made by Leyna. Then Leyna and I peeled the skins off.)
1 can (6 oz.) no-salt-added tomato paste (I didn't have this and was so scared the recipe wouldn't work without it but it did!)
2 t sugar
1 t basil
1/2 t oregano

1/2 t salt
2 T grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except cheese. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until tomatoes are very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool 5 minutes.

Place cooled tomato mixture in blender 1 or more cups at a time. Cover and blend at stir about 30 seconds after each addition. Blend at puree about 30 seconds. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir in cheese. Simmer over low heat about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over pasta.