Tomato Sauce

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

30 dl oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
80 grams ham (or fresh pork), fat and lean, chopped
12 grams flour mixed with 5ml oil
1 kilo fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, drained, and chopped (or 1 No. 2 1/2 can Italian- style plum tomatoes, drained)
1 sprig thyme (or 1 gram dried)
1 bay leaf
3 grams salt
2 grams sugar (more, if tomatoes are tart)
1 gram pepper

Method

Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan, add the chopped onion and ham, and brown them over fairly high heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the flour and mix well. Turn the heat down to moderate and add tomato pulp ( or the canned tomatoes, drained).

Season with the salt, pepper, and sugar; and add the thyme and bay leaf.

Cook for about 45 minutes, stirring from time to time.

The sauce may be strained through a fine sieve, if desired.

Makes about 1/2 litre