This is our amazingly simple but tasty tomato sauce, it even contains some hidden vegetables to get some vitamins in the kids.

We use it as a simple pasta sauce, a base for our homemade pizzas and to add to meatballs, mince and chicken. This is also a great, healthy substitute for shop-bought tomato ketchup.

INGREDIENTS

1 Garlic finely chopped

1 Onion finely chopped

1 Carrot or 2 small peeled and finely chopped

1 Celery stick finely chopped

2 tbsp Olive oil

400g Tinned chopped tomatoes

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

1 tsp Sugar

EQUIPMENT

Sharp knife

Chopping board

Table spoon

Tea spoon

Medium saucepan

Vegetable peeler

Wooden spoon

METHOD

1. Chop onion, carrot(s) and celery into as small pieces as possible.

2. Heat olive oil in pan over a medium heat. Add the onions, carrot(s) and celery. When added there should be a light sizzle. Make sure it's not too hot otherwise the onion will burn and stick to the bottom of the pan. make sure to stir every couple of minutes.

3. Cook for 10 minutes, until the onions are transparent and the other vegetables is soft. Add the tinned tomatoes, salt, pepper and sugar. Add can of water rinsing out tomato tin. Simmer for 20 minutes. if it starts to look a bit dry add a touch of water.

5. Take the saucepan off the heat and serve.

Serving options

• Simply mix with cooked pasta for a tasty, simple tomato pasta.

• Add to pan fried meatballs, baked chicken or grilled halloumi and serve with pasta.

• Blend with a stick blender or a food processor for a lovely smooth tomato ketchup substitute or if the kids don't like chunky sauces.