Sweet fresh tomatoes, cooked with a carrot and an onion in butter, become the perfect all-purpose sauce to serve on pasta, polenta, pizza, eggs, or vegetables. Though I don’t bother with a lot of kitchen gadgets, I do recommend investing in a food mill. Sure, a blender or food processor can puree a sauce, but the food mill goes one step further
and separates the skins and seeds—which makes it unnecessary to peel and seed the tomatoes before cooking.

Fresh Tomato-Butter Sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that highlights the vibrant flavors of ripe tomatoes combined with the richness of butter. This simple yet flavorful sauce is a perfect accompaniment to pasta, grilled meats, or as a base for other recipes. Made with fresh plum tomatoes, aromatic onions, and carrots, the sauce develops a rich depth of flavor as it simmers and thickens. The addition of fresh basil leaves adds a touch of freshness and a hint of herbaceousness. Whether you’re looking to enhance a weeknight meal or impress guests with a homemade sauce, Fresh Tomato-Butter Sauce is a delightful choice that brings out the best of seasonal ingredients.
Makes about 3 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 pounds plum tomatoes, peeled and seeded, if not using a food mill, and chopped
• Salt
• 6 fresh basil leaves, torn into bits

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large heavy saucepan.
2. Add the carrot and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes are soft and the sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes.
4. Let cool slightly.
5. Pass the sauce through a food mill or puree it in a food processor or blender.
6. Reheat gently and correct the seasoning.
7. Just before serving, stir in the basil.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

1. Pasta: Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta shape, such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and additional fresh basil leaves.
2. Grilled Meats: Serve the sauce as a topping for grilled chicken, steak, or fish. The bright tomato flavors and creamy buttery texture complement the charred and smoky flavors of the meat.
3. Bruschetta: Spread the sauce over toasted baguette slices and top with fresh mozzarella or goat cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and slightly golden for a delicious appetizer or snack.
4. Ratatouille: Incorporate the sauce into a traditional ratatouille dish, along with sautéed eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and herbs. Simmer until all the flavors meld together for a hearty vegetarian meal.
5. Pizza: Use the sauce as a base for homemade pizza. Spread it over the pizza dough, add your favorite toppings, and bake until the crust is crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
6. Stuffed Vegetables: Fill hollowed-out bell peppers or zucchini boats with the sauce, top with breadcrumbs and cheese, and bake until the vegetables are tender and the topping is golden brown.
7. Meatballs: Simmer cooked meatballs in the sauce to infuse them with the rich tomato and butter flavors. Serve them as a main course or as a party appetizer.