Jack's toast pizza and classy sauce

Our man in the kitchen gives his recipe for a fast and fabulous dinner for the kids, and for you

You might end up burning the house down and killing yourself, but hey, it'll be in the name of good food, says Jack Shamash.

 

Note: You need a metal-sided toaster to make this

Want to whizz up an easy nutritious pizza for the kids and a classy meal for grown-ups at the same time? Of course you do. Here's how...

Get a big onion and slice it finely. Do the same with a couple of cloves of garlic. Fry both in some olive oil - about five or six tablespoons of oil until they're golden at the edges.

Add a good handful of fresh basil. TIP: If you can't get fresh basil, a teaspoon of Pesto Genovese (green pesto sauce), will do the trick. Add about half a carrot, peeled and chopped - this really adds sweetness and was a recommendation from an Italian pal. Give the whole lot a good stir and then slop in two 500ml packets or bottles of pasata - those wonderful seived tomatoes. Try to buy the Italian ones (the best most common brands are Valfrutta or Parmalat) because they contain less citric acid and taste better.

Bring the sauce up to a simmer. Half cover the pan, otherwise it will splatter everywhere. Cook it for about 40 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

Once cooked, blitz with a handblender. Add a couple of ounces of butter for extra flavour. You have a wonderful, smooth, aromatic sauce.

Now, get a slice of white bread and  spread it with the sauce - a couple of dessertspoons of sauce should be enough. Grate some cheese on. Place the bread in the toaster, making sure the toaster is OFF and taking care not to disturb the topping. Turn on the toaster and after a couple of minutes, the cheese will melt and you'll have wonderful 'pizza'.

 
WARNING: Don't push your fingers into the toaster when it's on or you'll kill yourself. Oh, and keep an eye on it as it toasts so that you don't burn the pizza.

 

FREEZE AHEAD You can freeze the sauce in bags, putting about two dessertspoons full in each bag - just enough for a pizza portion. Then, whenever you need to make a pizza in a hurry, you can grab a bag out of the freezer, defrost it in the microwave and within five minutes, and make your fresh toast pizza.

 

THE TOMATO SAUCE IS WONDERFUL WITH PASTA. Have it that night if poss or freeze for later use if you have to. And, as always, serve it with a fresh salad and think kind thoughts about me as you eat it!

 

JACK SHAMASH puts meals on the family table every night of the week at his home in north London. He also writes for The Times, The Guardian and Horticulture Week (so he knows a lot about fruit and veg)