canned tomatoes are canned at the height of freshness, and are idea for the 10-or-so monthsof the year that you can't get really fresh tomatoes.
that said, to make tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes, the best way to begin is with a technique called "tomato concasse". it sounds fancy, but all it really means is "skinless, seedless tomatoes". the skins are undigestable, and the seeds can be bitter, so eliminating these will make any sauce better both in flavor and consistency.
simply put a pot of water on to boil, and set up a bowl of ice water next to it. remove the stem/core, and cut a small X in the skin on the bottom of each tomato. drop the tomatoes 2 or 3 at a time into the boiling water (depending on the size of your pot - you never want the water to come off the boil). leave the tomatoes in the water for 15-30 seconds, or until you see the skin just starting to peel away from where you scored the bottoms.
NOTE: you are not cooking the tomatoes at this point! you are simply getting the skin to pull back from the flesh for easy removal.
remove the tomatoes from the pot, and submerge in ice wayer for a few seconds. remove from ice water, peel off the skins, slice the tomatoes in half (imagine cutting along the equator), and squeeze out the seeds.
now, you're ready to make tomato sauce, veggie stock, or any of a hundred different applications!
to make a tomato sauce, simply toss the tomato flesh in a pot, add olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, and simmer over low heat, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon (for a rustic approach) or a stick blender (for a more uniform consistency). add a small splash of white wine or vodka [1], let it cook out, and serve.
you can also add some tomato paste to add more depth and richness to the sauce.
[1] I know neither of you drink, but please consider adding just a nip's worth of vodka. it will cook out. however there are flavor compounds in tomatoes that are alcohol-soluable and not water-soluable, so you really will extract the most flavor possible by doing this. it's not a huge deal if you don't, but it is highly recommended.
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timeasmymeasure
those kooky Frenchies and their techniques
Date: 2005-08-29 05:51 pm (UTC)that said, to make tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes, the best way to begin is with a technique called "tomato concasse". it sounds fancy, but all it really means is "skinless, seedless tomatoes". the skins are undigestable, and the seeds can be bitter, so eliminating these will make any sauce better both in flavor and consistency.
simply put a pot of water on to boil, and set up a bowl of ice water next to it. remove the stem/core, and cut a small X in the skin on the bottom of each tomato. drop the tomatoes 2 or 3 at a time into the boiling water (depending on the size of your pot - you never want the water to come off the boil). leave the tomatoes in the water for 15-30 seconds, or until you see the skin just starting to peel away from where you scored the bottoms.
NOTE: you are not cooking the tomatoes at this point! you are simply getting the skin to pull back from the flesh for easy removal.
remove the tomatoes from the pot, and submerge in ice wayer for a few seconds. remove from ice water, peel off the skins, slice the tomatoes in half (imagine cutting along the equator), and squeeze out the seeds.
now, you're ready to make tomato sauce, veggie stock, or any of a hundred different applications!
to make a tomato sauce, simply toss the tomato flesh in a pot, add olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, and simmer over low heat, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon (for a rustic approach) or a stick blender (for a more uniform consistency). add a small splash of white wine or vodka [1], let it cook out, and serve.
you can also add some tomato paste to add more depth and richness to the sauce.
[1] I know neither of you drink, but please consider adding just a nip's worth of vodka. it will cook out. however there are flavor compounds in tomatoes that are alcohol-soluable and not water-soluable, so you really will extract the most flavor possible by doing this. it's not a huge deal if you don't, but it is highly recommended.