ESSENTIAL:
1 jar good passata
1/3 tube of decent tomato puree
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1small potent onion finely chopped
1tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
large pinch dried basil
1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
4 chopped vine tomatoes (little plum, or cherry)
1 organic veg stock cube dissolved in a little water
OPTIONAL:
finely chopped red pepper (optional)
tsp crushed dried chillies OR 1 chopped red birdseye chilli (optional)
some chopped bacon/pancetta/smoked ham (optional)
chopped black olives (optional)
chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
finely sliced mushrooms (optional)
chopped anchovies (optional)
chopped pepperdew peppers (optional)
sweat the onions/garlic in the olive oil (you could add the meat/peppers now, if you're using them)
add the stock and the balsamic and stir for a few minutes
add the passata and puree and basil and tomatoes(add at this point olives/chilli/shrooms/pepperdews/anchovies/whatever else you're using)
stir and simmer for about 10 minutes
add the black pepper, a heaped tsp brown sugar and salt if you think it needs it
fresh basil if you have it