Tomato Paste

[pollynova]

It's so wasteful.

I've been trying to do more cooking and I've been learning new recipes. And a lot of things take tomato paste. But it's never a whole can, it's just like one spoonful. What are you supposed to do with the rest of it? You can't put the top back on. And you can't put it in the fridge because it just gets crusty. Why can't they put it in a jar you can close again?

 

[raindancer]

That's why I buy the tubes to keep in the refrigerator.

 

[Oblimo]

Pretend you’ve committed seppuku.

Sit on the floor, keeled over, tomato paste slathered over the abdomen of your white shirt and in dollops atop your entrails, which lie sprawling upon the floor. I recommend bunched chorizo sausage links for your entrails.

 

[rae121452]

some stores sell it in tube form. you can also empty the can into a freezer bag and freeze it. it lasts forever if tightly sealed and it's actually easier to use that way, i think.

 

[HAL_9000]

What are your thoughts on pickled beets?

 

[rae121452]

i love pickled beets. i love unpickled beets. i love fresh beets, especially with the leaves still attached so that i can cook them as greens separately. beets are good for you, plus they taste like dirt.

 

[thør]

What are your thoughts on pickled beets?

They are good.

People should eat more pickled beets.

 

[cleaver]

canned:
it is rather inexpensive...
can indeed be kept in the fridge with cellophane
(pressed down to the remaining - evacuating most air)
and then covering open end of can...
and used then in other recipes
for up to about 2 or so weeks...
or
better yet...
put remaining into a ziplocked baggie...
evacuating all air
and then either refrigerated
or frozen for much later use...
...

then again, as above... buy the toothpaste-like tubes...

 

[thør]

then again, as above... buy the toothpaste-like tubes...

Or,make more food and freeze it for later.

 

[HAL_9000]

They are good.

People should eat more pickled beets.

I concur. But only with alcohol.

 

[HAL_9000]

i love pickled beets. i love unpickled beets. i love fresh beets, especially with the leaves still attached so that i can cook them as greens separately. beets are good for you, plus they taste like dirt.

BEETS!

(not the headphone type)

 

[Emerson40]

It's so wasteful.

I've been trying to do more cooking and I've been learning new recipes. And a lot of things take tomato paste. But it's never a whole can, it's just like one spoonful. What are you supposed to do with the rest of it? You can't put the top back on. And you can't put it in the fridge because it just gets crusty. Why can't they put it in a jar you can close again?

If you look around, you can find it in tubes, like large toothpaste tubes. Squeeze out what you need, then cap it and back in the fridge.

When you need just a wee dollop out of a can, just store the remainder in one of those small - 3 to 4 ounce - storage containers with a snap-on resealable lid.

As you said, it is showing up in plenty of recipes. It is one of those foods that can add some depth and richness to flavours, and help achieve that umami taste you’re hearing about on all the cooking shows now.

When making stock with bones, I roast the bones for a bit before adding water and my aromatics. For beef stock, I’ll smear some tomato paste on the bones before roasting them, which imparts a deep, savoury flavour to the finished stock.

 

[cleaver]

Or,make more food and freeze it for later.

ding ding ding....
*winner*

i never seem not to use an entire small can of tomato paste
within some entirely reasonable
small amount of time...

 

[pink]

I buy really small cans and put it in chili and spaghetti sauce.

 

[Liar]

I've never found any use for tomato paste. It's one of those things I buy thinking "This'll come in handy" and the next time I notice it, it's ten moths past expiration date and never opened.

 

[Emerson40]

Or,make more food and freeze it for later.

I used to pick up a large box of mangoes, cut them up, and freeze chunks of fresh mango in freezer bags, for later.



Then Mrs. Em discovered the magic of the Mango Margarita, and later never comes.

 

[HAL_9000]

I've never found any use for tomato paste.

Glue?

 

[nowisthetime]

I buy really small cans and put it in chili and spaghetti sauce.

Yes! It is so useful for increasing the spaghetti sauce amount. The saucier the spaghetti, the better. Then I like to add a half cup of red wine to my sauce and mmm, it's perfect!

 

[Jada59]

That's why I buy the tubes to keep in the refrigerator.

Me too. Some people freeze the canned paste in an ice cube tray or little blobs. Those would get lost in my freezer.

 

[Saint_Ann]

I buy it by the case.

 

[HisArpy]

some stores sell it in tube form. you can also empty the can into a freezer bag and freeze it. it lasts forever if tightly sealed and it's actually easier to use that way, i think.

This.

Use the freezer bags and make sure all the air is out of the bag before freezing. Alternatively you can use a home vacuum sealer gizmo. If you don't have one, hey, it's an excuse to buy another kitchen gadget.

 

[OldJourno]

Tomato paste sammiches.
Add lettuce, onion, salt, pepper and dill (never sweet) pickles. Go easy on the mayo and fried bananas.

 

[Magicscreen2]

I just put the remainder of the can in a small glass jar with a lid.
Works a treat, Polly.

 

[HAL_9000]

I buy it by the case.

Prude.

50 gal. drums are the way to go.

 

[Saint_Ann]

Prude.

50 gal. drums are the way to go.

I tried making it once but you need a nuclear oven to make it cost effective.