Homemade Tomato Sauce

12-15 fresh tomatoes (I used Roma)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic1 med onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves ( your preference)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tsp salt ( optional )
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 small can of tomato paste {optional; use if your sauce is not thick enough for you}

First we are going to remove the skins.  Get a pot of water boiling and prepare an ice bath {a large bowl  filled with ice and water}.  Submerge the tomatoes {5-6 at a time} in the boiling water for about 45 seconds.  Immediately remove to the ice bath.  The skin can now be removed very easily – most of my tomato skins just slid right off!

Saute the onions and peppers in the oil in a large cast iron pan for several  minutes until they are translucent and soft.  Add in the garlic and saute for another few minutes.

Add the tomatoes and let them cook for 10-15 minutes before adding all the other ingredients.

Stir to combine and let simmer until the sauce has cooked down to your desired thickness 1 to 1 & 1/2 hours.