Best Pizza Sauce
Description
A rich, slightly spicy homemade pizza sauce made with fresh tomatoes, dried red chilies, and carom seeds. Cooking the tomatoes down concentrates their flavor, while the spices give the sauce a warm, savory depth that works especially well on homemade pizza.
Ingredients
- 8 medium ripe tomatoes, quartered
- 3–4 dried red chilies, cleaned and checked
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ajmo/carom seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Directions
- Place the quartered tomatoes and dried red chilies in a wide saucepan.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook uncovered over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are completely soft and have released their juices.
- Let the mixture cool slightly, then blend until smooth.
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the ajmo and let it crackle for a few seconds.
- Carefully pour in the blended tomato purée.
- Add the red chili powder, black pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Stir well, partially cover the pan, and cook over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce becomes thick and spreadable.
- Add the sugar and mix well.
- Cook for another 1–2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
- Let the sauce cool before spreading it over pizza dough.