Tomato Sauce Recipe
Tomato Sauce is a common condiment in everyday life, and it pairs well with many foods. One of the most popular uses is with pasta, particularly in tomato pasta dishes that are widely loved. Many people wonder how to make Tomato Sauce that has that authentic restaurant flavor. Today, I’m sharing a Tomato Sauce recipe from a renowned chef that you’re sure to fall in love with once you’ve mastered it.
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Tomato Sauce is a simple recipe made primarily from tomatoes, but making it taste as delicious as it does in restaurants can be a bit challenging. Let me guide you through some key tips to help you perfect your Tomato Sauce.
1. About Tomato Sauce
Tomato Sauce is a thick, concentrated product made from ripe red tomatoes. The process involves crushing, pulping, and removing the skin and seeds before concentrating the mixture into a vibrant red sauce that captures the distinctive flavor of tomatoes.
Tomato Sauce is widely used in Western cuisine, featuring prominently in dishes like lasagna, pasta, and pizza. In Chinese cooking, it’s mainly used to create the rich and tangy "tomato-flavored" dishes. Examples include Tomato Fish Fillets, Tomato Rabbit Bites, and Tomato Pork Tenderloin.
2. Choosing the Right Tomatoes
You can use any flavorful tomatoes to make Tomato Sauce, but selecting fresh, fully ripe tomatoes is crucial for creating a delicious homemade sauce. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing your tomatoes:Freshness: The foundation of a great Tomato Sauce is fresh, ripe tomatoes. The ripeness directly impacts the sauce's taste and flavor.
Avoid Under-ripe Tomatoes: If the tomatoes are not fully ripe, your Tomato Sauce may end up with a raw, slightly bitter taste, which can affect the overall flavor.
Prefer Smaller Tomatoes: Opt for smaller tomatoes when making Tomato Sauce, as they tend to be riper and more flavorful.
Steam and Peel: If you're planning to make a large batch of Tomato Sauce, consider steaming the tomatoes to remove the skins easily. This method also helps to better extract the tomato flavor.
Adjust Sugar as Needed: During preparation, you can adjust the amount of sugar to suit your taste. To extend the shelf life, you can also add a few drops of high-proof alcohol to the container before sealing it.
3. Ingredients and Substitutions
Tomatoes: You can use any type of tomatoes, as long as they are fresh and ripe.
Granulated Sugar: You can use regular white sugar as a substitute for fine granulated sugar.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice not only enhances the freshness of the sauce but also helps extend its shelf life.
4. How to Thicken Tomato Sauce
Is your homemade Tomato Sauce not as thick as you'd like? The simplest way to thicken Tomato Sauce is to cook it longer. The more you cook it, the more liquid evaporates, resulting in a thicker sauce.
If you don't have the time (or patience) to let the sauce simmer for an extended period, you can add a cornstarch slurry (a mix of equal parts cornstarch and water). Slowly stir the slurry into the sauce until it reaches your desired thickness.
5. How to Store Tomato Sauce
Store homemade Tomato Sauce in Mason jars or other airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
For longer storage, you can can your homemade Tomato Sauce. To do this, add citric acid or lemon juice to the sauce to ensure a safe acidity level. Then, sterilize the jars by boiling them for about 10 minutes. Pour the sauce into the sterilized jars, then place the jars in a large pot and boil them for at least 10 minutes to seal them properly. Store the canned Tomato Sauce in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months. Once opened, keep it in the refrigerator and consume it within a few days.
6. Dishes to Pair with Tomato Sauce
The sweet and tangy flavor of Tomato Sauce enhances many dishes, making it a popular condiment or dipping sauce. Common pairings include pasta, pizza, burgers, and fish and chips.
Let’s make some delicious Tomato Sauce together!
INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 5 tomatoes
ACCESSORIES
- 150g granulated sugar
- Half a lemon
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
First, gather all the necessary ingredients.
Make a small cross-cut on each tomato.
STEP 2
Place the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove them.
Tip:
Blanching the tomatoes in boiling water makes peeling easier.
STEP 3
Once the tomatoes are cooled, peel off the skin.
STEP 4
Cut the peeled tomatoes into small cubes, as shown in the image.
STEP 5
Place the diced tomatoes into the bread machine bucket and add 150g of granulated sugar. Start the jam program.
Tip:
I used a bread machine for this step, but you can also use a regular pot. Here’s how to do it on the stove:
Heat the pot and pour in the tomato mixture. Once it starts bubbling, reduce to medium-low heat.
Add the granulated sugar and lemon juice, and continue simmering over low heat.
Stir continuously until the Tomato Sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
STEP 6
Run the jam program twice to make the Tomato Sauce thicker. Finally, add the juice of half a lemon.
STEP 7
This is what the Tomato Sauce looks like after stirring.
STEP 8
The finished product.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Tomato Sauce Recipe
- Main Ingredients:3
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:813 g
-
Energy (calories)：705 kcal
-
Protein：5.58 g
-
Fat：1.35 g
Why gray?
-
Carbohydrates：176.89 g
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Protein: 2%14 kcal
-
Fat: 2%11 kcal
-
Carbohydrates: 96%678 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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