Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

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.

Saute chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil. Cook, but do not brown. Add to sauce.

Bring to a low boil, stirring occasionally.

*Contrary to popular opinion oregano is associated more with pizza sauce than spaghetti sauce.

Let simmer till reduced and sauce thickens, stirring frequently.

* If desired, crushed red pepper may be added after sauce cooks a while, do not add with the other spices or sauce will get too hot.