Quick Heart-Healthy Tomato Sauce
Tomatoes contain a number of components that help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease, and olive oil helps you absorb them. Garlic also helps reduce cholesterol and fights colon cancer.
Makes 4-5 ½ c. servings.
1 28 oz.can crushed tomatoes
3 T. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. sugar (optional)
• Heat oil in a heavy skillet. Add onion and sauté until soft, 3-5 minutes.
• Add garlic and sauté about one minute.
• Add the tomatoes and sugar, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about five minutes.
• Serve over ravioli, pasta, pierogies, polenta, chicken or fish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Information per Serving (1/2 c.): 171 calories, 19 g carbohydrates, 3.6 g protein, 10 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 4.3 g fiber, 263 mg sodium.
For variety, add one or a combination of these ingredients:
• ½ tsp. red pepper flakes or one diced jalapeno
• 1 T. of chopped fresh basil or oregano
• ¼ c. red wine
• 1 tsp. cinnamon or curry powder
• ½ c. grated carrot or chopped green pepper
• 1 T. lemon or orange zest
