Tomatoes: Tips, Tricks And Techniques

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Do you love tomatoes and everything that can be prepared with them? Here are some culinary tips, tricks and techniques for storing and preparing tomatoes.

Do you need to store tomatoes in the refrigerator?

The conclusion from all the tests on this issue is that the cooling of tomatoes breaks down the key flavoring substances in them and causes some of their cells to burst, which leads to an unpleasant water and grain structure. So, the advice is never, even after they have been cut, to be store tomatoes, especially with the cut side down, in the refrigerator or at least to be used within a day. Once stored in the refrigerator, they quickly lose their aromas and release a lot of water, which makes them unpleasant to consume afterwards.

However, if you are trying to find a way to store plenty of tomatoes in late summer, the best options are either freezing or canning, which are preferable from any point of view before cooling.

Do not remove the seeds

The pulp around the tomato seeds has been proven to be the tastiest part of the tomato - so it's really a shame to throw it away, even if the recipe instructs you to do so. If texture is really an issue and you don't want seeds in your silky smooth sauce, you can use a food grinder or fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds without sacrificing this fragrant pulp, which you can use later.

How to separate the core or peel the tomatoes

If you need to peel tomatoes for a recipe, whether you are cooking them or using them raw, the quickest and easiest way to do this is to shape them (insert the tip of a sharp cutting knife at an angle to the stem and it is cut and cut. discard) and then with a sharp knife cut a very shallow X-shape at the bottom of the tomatoes. Then blanch the tomatoes by putting them in a pot of boiling water for about 60 seconds, then take them out and immerse them in cold water. When they are cool enough to touch, use either your fingers or the tip of a knife to peel the skin off the points around the X shape - the skin should come off easily.

Yes! of canned

Some people believe that fresh tomatoes are the only "real" way to make tomato sauce and that using canned tomatoes is a scam or will only yield lower quality results. This is simply not true - especially outside the peak tomato season, canned tomatoes can often give better results than fresh tomatoes from unscented supermarkets, and in fact it may take a lot of work to get the rich, full depth of taste that canned tomatoes and tomato paste can give.

In addition, when using fresh tomatoes, which even when fully ripe and most delicious, are often very watery, you can not get the desired end result. Many Italians use canned tomatoes and tomato paste as a base for their sauces and other recipes.

So don't be ashamed to use canned tomatoes - whether for convenience or because it's not tomato season. Choose whole canned tomatoes instead of mashed or diced, as whole tomatoes often have a better texture and flavor. And keep in mind that even when using fresh tomatoes, adding a tablespoon or two of tomato paste can help build a deeper and fuller flavor.