Joey's 5-Minute Sauce

Go to the store and find canned San Marzano crushed tomatoes. Don't use the American stuff, its not as good. These are the real deal from Italy, and don't let canned fool you. Its as fresh as when the little old Italian man picked it from the vine. Used "crushed" — but, whole tomatoes is fine but make sure and crush it up yourself. Do not use puree.

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
• 3 medium cloves of garlic, slice 'em thin and chop 'em up.
• 1 28-ounce can crushed red tomatoes

Throw your pan on the stove. Combine the olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and garlic in the cold saucepan. Then turn up the heat to about medium-high. Saute for about a minute, or until it starts to smell (not burn) really good. Don't let anything brown. Throw in the can of tomatoes and get the whole thing to a simmer. This probably takes a couple minutes. Give it a taste: Add what you think would be good, maybe some more salt? Also, don't be afraid to sub in some things – a few teaspoons of oregano, maybe some basil, authentic "fra diavlo" sauce with more red pepper, its all up to you. Just don't overdo it or it will mask the delicious taste of the tomatoes.

(— Posted by Joey, a bona fide filthy Eye-talian)