Instructions: Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onion, garlic, green pepper and crushed hot red pepper. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme and a generous grinding of pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes.

Spoon mixture into the container of a food processor. Blend to a fine puree. Add the basil. Reheat. Swirl in the butter or margarine.

Serve over spaghetti.

This sauce freezes well.

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