Tomato Paste Woolworths Tube packaging and its features
There are two critical specifications for tomato paste: Woolworths and tube, and both are related to the packaging of tomato paste
Moving up the “processing” scale, canned diced tomatoes are tomatoes cut into small pieces
Honestly, when you come across a recipe that calls for this variety of canned tomatoes, I’d say it’s almost as easy to dice whole canned tomatoes
This way, you can avoid the additives used to keep diced tomatoes firm and secure
However, these tomato chunks are often too hard for my taste and will take some time to soften when cooked
For this reason, these are my favorites in the canned tomato world
Crushed tomatoes are an even more processed option
However, they have fewer additives than diced ones
Again, I’d recommend keeping the convenience to a minimum, but if saving time appeals to you – get it crushed, not diced
chopped maintain that slicing whole tomatoes will give you better flavor and texture
Considering what I said about diced and crumbled, this may surprise me, but I’m a big fan of canned sauce
Not as a whole sauce, mind you – but as an ingredient
It is usually smooth, thick, and full of flavor
A smooth, soft sauce can be a big plus when you want to add some viscosity to whatever you’re cooking
Look for options with nothing but a little salt in them
(You may have difficulty with a sauce without basil, but it won’t hurt what you’re doing
) It’s a strained sauce that’s been cooked a bit
It’s thicker than canned ketchup, but there’s not enough difference between the two products to have another can in the pantry
At least not for me
It’s an ingredient that inspires love and hates in almost equal measure
And I believe it’s because people don’t understand or recognize what tomato paste is and what it brings to the table
Tomato paste is a very concentrated sauce cooked down to a thick paste
The long cooking and reduction create a solid but “cooked” tomato flavor
So it’s perfect when you want a long-cooked taste
However, it cannot be obvious when looking for a brighter, fresher flavor
If you know what flavor you want, tomato puree can be the best “shortcut” in your kitchen
Two tips: Always brown your pasta before adding it to the rest of what you’re cooking
This browning makes the flavor deeper and rounder
And I’m a big fan of buying tomato paste in tubes, like toothpaste
That way, you can use what you need, and you don’t have lots of little open cans going wrong in your fridge
Yes, the tubes are a bit more expensive, but not much when considering all the half-cans, you’ve thrown away over the years
I know this might seem like an odd choice for this list, but I often find myself craving a little tomato juice when a pot of something tomato-based (like chili) is too thick or dry
Yes, I can use water or stock, but I like to infuse the flavor of the tomatoes with juice as I want
Try to find juice without too much salt; you can always add more
Like many others, I’m not a huge fan of colorful tomatoes
I admit, maybe it’s because I lived in the 70s and 80s when sun-dried tomatoes were incredibly ubiquitous
appearing on every menu in dishes from hors d’oeuvres to desserts
I’m a little more forgiving of them because there are more “good” examples (and fewer bad ones)
Sun-dried tomatoes packed with oil have the best texture, avoiding the hard-skinned feel of dry-packed ones
The fragrance is very concentrated and should be used sparingly
Their flavor is slightly cooked but remains brighter than the darker cooked taste of tomato puree
This is just a brief overview of the most popular canned tomato products
My main advice, in a nutshell, is: whole peeled tomatoes are best; well pressed; the sauce can be good; tomato puree is excellent eat if you want a long-cooked, thick flavor; think juice when a pot of something needs liquid; be lean when using sun-dried tomatoes; look for canned goods that contain only tomatoes and salt, if you can find them; and enjoy these products while you wait for the perfect summer tomatoes to return! If you have trouble finding fresh or want to deepen the tomato flavor in your dish, tomato puree is the ingredient
Below is a store guide to help you find tomato paste at the grocery store
There is also a list of popular stores that usually have it in stock, so you can easily buy it there
Tomato paste can be found in the canned goods section of the grocery store
It will be placed next to other canned tomato products, so you need to look at it carefully
Pure tomato puree removes the skins and seeds from ripe tomatoes
They are then left to dry in the sun and become a thick paste
The sun drying process gives this tomato paste a more prosperous,s, deeper, concentrated flavor
It has an earthy, smoky, and sweet jam-like flavor
This quality tomato paste is rare and expensive and is usually sold in tubs Many commercial tomato pastes are also made by removing the skins and seeds from tomatoes
However, they are boiled to make a thick paste instead of being left to dry in the sun
These types of tomato paste can still be quite good, but they vary in quality and taste from brand to brand
Quality tomato purees should include only tomatoes in the ingredients
Some will use better quality tomatoes than others, so the best way to find out is to try different brands
Many people think tomato paste is a cheaper and thicker version of tomato sauce or that it is used as a thickener
However, quality tomato paste is mainly used to add rich flavor to a dish
When we can’t find perfect summer tomatoes, using processed tomatoes for our favorite sauces, soups and side dishes is super convenient
I like to keep my pantry as stocked as possible with a variety of tomato products, and I’m sure you do too
They’re essential for quick weeknight meals and essential for making cheese dips, Mexican dishes, and big chili casseroles
But what are the best and most useful types to keep on hand? The options seem endless and sometimes I feel overwhelmed looking at all the options available at the grocery store
For example, what is the difference between stewed tomatoes and diced tomatoes? Are crushed tomatoes interchangeable with tomato puree in a recipe? Why is tomato paste so thick? What are sun dried tomatoes and how are they best used? Below is a guide to processed tomatoes that can help you determine what will work best for your cooking style and the recipes you make most often
Commonly sold peeled whole tomatoes come packaged in juice or puree and are usually a high quality tomato product
If your recipe calls for crushed tomatoes, simply crush the tomatoes with your fingers as they go into a pot or bowl, adding juice as needed
Many marinades start with whole tomatoes! Commercial packers and canners usually reserve their ripest, least pitted and most attractive specimens for whole tomatoes
The smaller tomatoes are reserved for use in tomato puree, puree or sauce
