Basic version of the marinara sauce. This is a southern Italian sauce usually made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs and onions. The Italian cuisine uses this basic sauce to add flavour to it's many dishes such as pasta, pizza, rice and other seafood or non vegetarian dishes.

1. Heat oil in a big wok. Add onions & garlic.

2. Sauté until the onions and garlic are soft and translucent.

3. Add the crushed tomatoes. (If using canned tomatoes then skip this. If using fresh tomatoes, add around 1/2 cup of water),

4. Mix well and let it cook for 5 minutes.

5. Add chopped basil and mix well.

6. Add bay leaf and oregano. Mix well.

7. Add salt and pepper and mix well.

8. Close with a lid and let that cook for about 20 min on medium high heat. Remove the lid twice in between and stir well to make sure nothing sticks.

9. Open the lid, add tomato sauce and mix well. (optional).

10. Let that cook away (without closing with lid) for another 10 min.

11. Garnish with basil leaves and use as required! this shouldn’t be a very runny sauce.

Enjoy this tangy goodness with a bowl of hot pasta!