🍅 Italian-Inspired · Sauces

White Wine, Tomato & Basil Sauce

A fresh pan sauce of blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, white wine, basil, lemon and gentle chilli heat.

The recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 large garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup dry white wine, plus up to ¼ cup extra for a looser sauce
• ½ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp finely grated lemon zest
• ½ tsp fine salt, plus more if needed
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more if needed

Method

1. Warm the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic.
2. Sauté for approximately 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and blistered but still holding some shape.
4. Add the white wine, stir the base of the pan and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Stir in the basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, sugar and black pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add the optional extra wine only if a looser sauce is required, then simmer briefly before serving.