Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce (Printable View)
Rich sun-dried tomato sauce with garlic, herbs and lemon - perfect for pasta, pizza, and grilled dishes.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
01 - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 1 small shallot, minced
→ Liquids
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth
05 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
→ Seasonings
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Finishing Touch
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
# How To Make It:
01 - Place the drained sun-dried tomatoes into a food processor or blender and pulse a few times to begin breaking them down.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and garlic, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Avoid browning.
03 - Transfer the sautéed aromatics to the food processor with the tomatoes. Add the remaining olive oil, vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and fresh lemon juice. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure an even consistency.
04 - Taste the blended sauce and season with salt and black pepper as needed. For extra creaminess, blend in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
05 - Serve warm over pasta, use as a pizza sauce, or enjoy as a condiment alongside grilled meats and roasted vegetables.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This sauce comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon, which makes it my secret weapon for impressing last minute dinner guests.
- The concentrated sweetness of sun dried tomatoes paired with garlic and fresh lemon creates a flavor that works on practically everything from pasta to sandwiches.
02 -
- Do not skip draining the tomatoes because excess oil throws off the balance and makes the sauce greasy instead of luscious.
- Letting the sauce rest for five minutes after blending deepens the flavors significantly, something I discovered after eating it cold the next day and realizing it was even better.
03 -
- A splash of the oil from the sun dried tomato jar added back in at the end boosts the flavor more than anything else you could add.
- If your blender struggles with thick mixtures, start it going with the broth and oil first before adding the solids, and everything will come together much faster.