How to make the best tomato sauce

Step One. Buy a whole bunch of Roma tomatoes from a farmer's market. This step isn't completely necessary - apparently canned tomatoes work just fine - but I like the idea of buying fresh tomatoes in season and supporting local farmers.

Step Two. Prep the tomatoes. To peel them, cut a small X in the bottom of each tomato, place in boiling water for a minute then move them to cold water and when cool, peel off the skin. Let your daughter help with all these scary steps (knives and hot water!) - she's only six but she's such a big girl. When peeling the skins off, make sure you make funny faces at how goopy the bare tomatoes feel. Chop roughly and throw into a pot.

Step Three. Season. Add roasted garlic, fresh from the in-laws' cottage garden - yum. I also added some oregano, dried onion, salt and pepper. Don't forget the wisdom mom and dad passed on: add a spoonful of sugar to help cut the acidity of the tomatoes.

Step Four. Cook. For hours and hours and hours. Get pedicures and haircuts with your daughter while you wait.

Step Five. Mash, puree, squish or do whatever is required to get the sauce to the consistency you like. Then, enjoy a delicious bowl of pasta covered in homemade tomato sauce and freshly grated parmesan cheese with the best family in the world.