Pizza Sauce, Revisited

I've probably made my pizza dough a hundred times since I first published it. But this is only the second time I've topped it with regular tomato sauce! Sometimes normal is what you need. It might be basic, but this pizza sauce is not boring. It's made with ingredients that I usually have on hand, with a few additions that make it crazy delicious. (A little honey, salty anchovy paste, and rich Parmesan.) I decided to make this pizza "supreme" and topped the sauce with thinly sliced fresh pepperoni, bell peppers, red onion, cremini mushrooms, black olives, and a blend of smoked cheeses (mozzarella, cheddar, and Gouda). After it came out of the oven I garnished it with a sprinkling of fresh basil and oregano.

1/28/09: While researching pizza dough techniques, I came across this recipe titled "Exquisite Pizza Sauce". I figured that if it's author was that confident, I should give it a try. Making my own actually turned out to be cheaper than buying a bottle at the store and that was using organic ingredients! (I had all the spices and the Parm already on hand, so all I had to buy was a mini can of tomato paste.) I was truly surprised at how delicious this turned out! All the flavors of the different herbs and spices meld so perfectly and create a sensational sauce! All you have to do is keep cans of tomato paste on hand and you can have homemade "exquisite" sauce any night!

INGREDIENTS

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
warm water (to the desired consistency- I use about 4 oz.)
3 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. anchovy paste (optional, but recommended)
3/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried marjoram
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1/8 tsp. dried red pepper flakes
salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste (optional), onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.

2. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes (or longer in the refrigerator) to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.

Makes enough for one large pizza.

(Adapted from All Recipes)