Do-it-yourself marinara

Film a wide skillet with 1 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil and, over medium heat, cook some peeled cloves of garlic until they just begin to color. If you have a sprig or two of thyme or rosemary, saute them along with the garlic. Pour in a can of tomatoes and break them up with a fork or a potato masher. Add a good pinch of salt and a grinding of pepper and simmer for about 10 minutes, until sauce has thickened slightly. Remove garlic cloves and herb sprigs. Off the heat, add some chopped parsley or basil, if desired. There. Your water hasn't even come to a boil yet, has it? -- Erica Marcus