Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and gingerroot and cook briefly then add the onion and cook until soft. Add the tomatoes and puree breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes then add the sambal and soy sauce and simmer for 15 more minutes. Run the sauce through the coarse blade of a food mill and save until needed. To serve, reheat and correct seasonings to taste.

Makes 2 3/4 cups. For a milder sauce, reduce the sambal. May be stored for brief periods if refrigerated.

Serve with Cabbage Rolls, Spaghetti, Steamed Fish.