Instructions:

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

My sister had to learn how to cook true Italian food when she got married, this recipe is adapted from her late mother-in-law's recipe that she brought with her from the old country. The original recipe made about 2 gallons of sauce (Mama had 10 kids) but over the years my sister cut it down to a reasonable amount.

Tomato Sauce

Drop tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute then into ice water. Peel tomatoes and cut up fine. Cook tomatoes in large saucepan with 1 tablespoon salt, stirring often until reduced by half. Strain mixture to remove seeds and return to saucepan or crockpot to cook on low heat until thick and smooth. May freeze up to 1 year in well sealed container.

Tomato Paste

Use above procedure but continue cooking on low heat stirring frequently so sauce does not scorch, until it reaches paste consistency. Then freeze in well sealed containers for up to 1 year.

In a large sauce pot:

Using the above Tomato Sauce, mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in a glass of water and stir into tomato sauce. Stir until foam disappears, this reduces the acid in the sauce. (Sugar will do the same thing, but be careful not to use too much or the sauce will be sweet.)

When foam is gone add to taste: salt, pepper, grated cheese, basil, 1 large or 2 small bay leaves, handful of parsley.