Roasted Garlic, Bell Pepper and Tomato Blender Sauce

An entire head of slow-roasted garlic offers its rich, earthy essence to a smooth puree of fresh tomatoes and sweet bell peppers, olive oil, red pepper flakes and basil. Serve this marvelous sauce warm or cold over your favorite pasta.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 217 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) jar roasted red bell peppers
• 6 small tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).n

Step 2

Place whole unpeeled head of garlic in an oven-safe dish with 1/4 cup water and drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil on garlic. Roast in preheated oven for about 45 minutes.n

Step 3

Meanwhile, put tomatoes in a blender and blend until pureed. Add bell peppers and blend until pureed.n

Step 4

Break roasted cloves of garlic and squeeze 5 cloves into blender; blend in garlic. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil and blend briefly. Add salt and pepper to taste, dried red pepper flakes and basil; blend.n

Step 5

The sauce is ready, but can either be refrigerated for a couple of days to blend the flavors or can be frozen. Sauce can be served cold or heated up until just warm.n