Mama's Marinara Sauce

4 tb Olive oil

2 28 oz cans of tomatoes or

1 6 oz can tomato paste

1 Pepper to taste

5 Garlic cloves, minced

5 lb Fresh tomatoes

10 Fresh basil leaves

1 Grated cheese to taste

In a deep 10" frying pan, heat the olive oil and gently saute the garlic. Add tomatoes, tomato paste. Put on medium heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Tear basil leaves into small pieces and sprinkle on top after adding to passta. Add pepper and grated cheese to taste. Alternative: Add 1 medium onion, finely chopped, and saute the onion with the garlic until limp. Note: If fresh tomatoes are used, put them in a pot of boilng water for about 10 seconds until the skin can be easily peeled off. Discard the skin. Cut tomatoes into pieces and add to frying pan mixture. Add tomato paste.