Tomato Topping Recipes

TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the onions, tomatoes, garlic and basil, taking care not to mash or break up the tomatoes too much. Add the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix again. Cover and chill for at least an hour. This will allow the flavours to soak and blend together.
• Slice the baguette loaf diagonally into 12 thick slices and lightly toast them until they are light brown on both sides. Serve the mixture on the warm slices of bread. If you prefer the mixture at room temperature, remove from the fridge half an hour before serving.

TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and cook on a low heat until soft. Add the garlic and tomato purée. Cook for a few minutes then add the chopped tomatoes and oregano. Season generously and simmer for 20 mins, then allow to cool.
• Store in sterilised jars in the fridge for up to 1 week, or transfer to a container and freeze for up to 2 months.

QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
• Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
• Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.

HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Plunge whole tomatoes in boiling water until skin starts to peel, about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in ice bath. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then remove peels and squeeze out seeds.
• Chop 8 tomatoes and puree them in a blender or food processor until smooth. Chop remaining 2 tomatoes and set aside.
• Heat butter and oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic; cook and stir until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Pour in pureed tomatoes, then stir in chopped tomatoes, wine, basil, and Italian seasoning. Place celery stalks and bay leaf in the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Stir in tomato paste; simmer for an additional 2 hours. Discard celery and bay leaf and serve.

FRESH TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Chop tomatoes into small pieces, place in bowl. Add minced garlic and shallots. Put basil and parsley into a food processor, pulse until just chopped. Add to tomato mixture. Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to tomatoes. Season to taste. Will keep, refrigerated overnight. Serve at room temperature.

TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Half the tomatoes and give them a gentle squeeze into a sieve to release the seeds. Push a spoon to gently press out as much juice as possible. Discard seeds.
• Dice tomato into 1/4 inch pieces.
• Add rest of ingredients, (except for The Water Sauce), mixing gently.
• Measure out 6 tablespoons of tomato water. If you don't have enough, use canned tomato juice or V-8 so you will measure the right amount.
• Put all ingredients for the "Water of the Tomato" together and mix to emulsify.
• Serving time comes right now, carefully take a good scoop of tomato tartare mixture and place in the center of a china plate. Or a plastic plate. Whatever you have. But you will have enough for 4 good sized servings for each plate.
• Spoon 1/4 of the tomato water on each serving.
• Garnish with parsley.
• Pretend you are dining with the "King and Queen".