If you have plans to strain tomatoes and make your own sauce at home, this is definitely not a bad idea. The end product can be used in multiple ways to give an extra flavor to all the delicious meals you are making, so having it in your kitchen is always helpful.
A Bit About Making Tomato Sauce
There are multiple approaches to this matter, given that tomato sauce is quite versatile. You may want to think about how you usually include it in your recipes to see which approach is the most suitable one. For instance, you can make the sauce simple, by extracting the tomato juice and boiling without adding any extra ingredients.
Of course, there are some steps in the process, and you will need to preserve it as well, so don’t get started until you have all the necessary information. On the other hand, you can look for tomato sauce recipes that are a bit more complex and include other flavors as well. For instance, you can add basil for an enhanced taste.
In the end, the choice here depends solely on your preferences. However, it’s always a good idea to make your own sauce, as there are so many benefits offered by this approach. You’ll know exactly what it contains, and it’s a healthier alternative that you can use throughout the year.
Plus, if you have a reliable source of great-tasting tomatoes, the result is going to be super tasty. So don’t hesitate to check out any local market that offers fresh vegetables and see what you can find. If you are lucky enough to have your own vegetable garden and you are growing the tomatoes yourself, then things are even better.
Using Tomato Sauce in Different Recipes
As we’ve mentioned, this is a versatile sauce that goes well with a wide range of foods, so you can include it in multiple recipes. In case you are still discovering your passion for cooking, then you should know that having this sauce around can save you from a lot of trouble in the long run.
If you’ve already put up many jars of tomato sauce and you’re thinking about using them, then the first thing that you can take into account is pasta. Of course, Italian food and tomato sauce are best friends, so no matter what recipe you are thinking about trying, it’s a good idea to see if you can include this great-tasting sauce as well.
However, there are many other ingredients and types of foods that have their flavor enhanced by the red sauce. Eggs, for example, go well with tomato sauce, if you let them simmer in it until they set. This way, you’ll enjoy a healthy and satisfying breakfast without too much trouble.
Another great candidate for tomato sauce is chutney. You can go for a simple approach and sauté some lemongrass and ginger, then add the sauce, and proceed to season with cilantro and lime before you serve it. This chutney recipe works great with shrimps if you want to dip them in a tasty yet light sauce.
Other Ideas
Since we’ve mentioned shrimps, we can remain in the same area and take a look at fish as well. In case you are thinking about preparing a tasty fish for dinner, you can infuse it with a lot of flavors by adding tomato sauce to the mix. White fish, such as cod, is a great candidate for this recipe.
Exploring the Italian cuisine a bit more, you can take a look at beans as well and go for a simple recipe of white beans simmered in the sauce. This way, you can enjoy a satisfying and simple dinner, just like they do in Tuscany.
Since tomato sauce is so versatile, you can take a look at the Indian cuisine as well, and combine it with curry powder, garlic, jalapeño, and ginger, all sautéd. Add some coconut milk and simmer everything until the flavors combine perfectly. You can then season it with salt, cilantro, and a bit of sugar, for an exotic and great-tasting meal.
Of course, these are just some of the recipes that you can try, but if you are making tomato sauce in your kitchen, there’s nothing stopping you from exploring everything that it has to offer in terms of taste in various types of food.