Tomato paste is a versatile and essential ingredient that can add depth, richness, and flavor to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re making soups, stews, pasta sauce, BBQ sauce, Korean-inspired dishes, Bloody Mary’s, or even tomato powder, tomato paste can elevate your culinary creations to new heights.
Adding tomato paste to soups and stews can amp up the umami factor and provide a rich depth of flavor. It can also help thicken the dish and give it a velvety texture. In pasta sauce, a swirl of tomato paste can enhance the flavor of store-bought marinara sauce and make it taste more homemade.
For homemade BBQ sauce, tomato paste serves as the base ingredient that can be flavored with various spices, sweeteners, vinegars, and fruits to create a unique and delicious sauce. In Korean-inspired dishes, the addition of tomato paste can bring a pleasant and unexpected flavor profile, adding richness and texture to the dish.
If you’re a fan of Bloody Mary’s, making your own mix with tomato paste, Worcestershire, horseradish, black pepper, and ginger can take your cocktail to the next level. And for a fun twist, dehydrated tomato paste can be turned into tomato powder, which can be used as a seasoning for cocktails or savory snacks.
In conclusion, tomato paste is a valuable ingredient that every home cook should have in their pantry. Its versatility, flavor-enhancing properties, and health benefits make it a must-have for any kitchen. So next time you reach for that tube or can of tomato paste, get creative and explore the many ways you can use this “little black dress” of ingredients to elevate your cooking. When it comes to tomato paste, the possibilities are endless. From enhancing the flavor of cocktails to creating savory vinaigrettes, chefs around the country are finding innovative ways to use this versatile ingredient. Jack Yoss, the VP of Culinary for Hai Hospitality in Austin, Texas, suggests dehydrating tomato paste to create a flavorful powder that can be used as a seasoning or to rim a glass for a unique Bloody Mary experience.
Executive sous chef Kendall Linhart of The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, recommends using tomato paste in vinaigrettes for a burst of tomato flavor. He marinates artichokes in a mixture of red wine vinegar, herbs, garlic, and olive oil with tomato paste for a delicious grilled appetizer. In a similar vein, chef/founder Andrea Belfiore of Èvento suggests using tomato paste to thicken meat sauces like Bolognese ragù without diluting the rich flavors.
For those looking to add depth to marinades, chef Nikolaos Kapernaros suggests marinating beef in a mixture of spices, tomato paste, vegetables, red wine, and herbs for a flavorful dish. And for a unique twist, executive chef Josue Pena of The Iberian Pig in Atlanta recommends making tomato oil from tomato paste to use as a finishing oil or emulsifying agent in pasta dishes.
With these creative ideas from chefs across the country, it’s clear that tomato paste is a versatile ingredient that can elevate a wide range of dishes. So next time you’re in the kitchen, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and experiment with this flavorful pantry staple.
