Instructions: Dice onions, capsicum. Slice mushrooms. Julienne ham.

Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain well.

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.

Saute mushrooms and ham in butter until tender. Add the basil and tomato sauce. Reheat.

Serve over pasta.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.