I’ve made a pasta dish a few times but it tastes too much of tomato and not much else. Any tips on a more flavoured sauce?

John Ferry, Milnthorpe

HOW about giving your pasta sauce a slightly smoky flavour by colouring under the grill? Cut about 12 nicely ripened plum tomatoes in half and place cut side up on a baking tray. Season with salt and pepper, then drizzle with a good glug of good quality olive oil. Scatter with some fresh thyme leaves and place the tray under a hot grill until the tomatoes start to turn slightly black. This will give them the smoky flavour. Thinly slice 6 cloves of fresh garlic and fry in a little olive oil. Add the charred tomatoes and crush with a fork. Season with salt and pepper. Taste the tomato sauce, if it tastes a little sharp add a few pinches of sugar, if it tastes too sweet, add some red wine vinegar. Add a small handful of freshly chopped basil leaves. Toss through your freshly cooked pasta and mix ell. If you like olives, feel free to add some freshly chopped olives into the sauce.