Olive Oil Poached Cherry Tomato Sauce

extra virgin olive oil

. shallots (, shaved or thinly sliced (1 cup))

heads of garlic (, shaved or thinly sliced (3/4 cup)*)

. cherry tomatoes**

canned (, drained plum tomatoes, crushed (I just crushed them with my hands))

sugar

stems fresh basil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper (, to taste)

crushed red pepper flakes (, to taste (optional))