Title: Using tinned tomatoes Post by: Kiwithrottlejockey on June 29, 2009, 12:48:08 am Budget tomato relish By PATRICIA SOPER - The Southland Times | Saturday, 20 June 2009 (http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/RasputinDude/Food%20Story%20Pix/2529221s-20Jun09.jpg) CHEAP AND MOREISH: It is possible to make good quality tomato relish using tinned tomatoes. I was issued a challenge of sorts by one of our local cafes. Like most places that serve sandwiches and hot snacks, they use a lot of relish. Owners Morrie and Wendy wondered if it was possible to make a good quality tomato relish using tinned tomatoes. To be honest I had never thought of it and had never seen a recipe that came close, but the idea had merit. Like most cooks I make relish when tomatoes are plentiful and at their least expensive or when the season permits the glasshouse to produce well. Tinned tomatoes are cheap and available year-round; they also have great flavour and colour. My challenge was one of method. Because tomatoes in tins are very juicy I had to come up with an entirely different recipe from my usual one in which the fruit and chopped onions are sprinkled with salt to remove excess moisture. To absorb the extra moisture of the tinned fruit I used finely chopped cooking apples and, instead of adding the onions and peppers to the pan raw, I cooked them first. The result was gratifying. The relish is an excellent colour and the flavour is every bit as good as my fresh tomato recipe. So now you can make tomato relish year-round, which will please the family and stretch the budget. Stir it into sour cream for a tangy dip, spoon it into casseroles, smother it with tasty cheese on wholegrain bread or give a jar to a friend. Makes about six medium-size jars. Ingredients:
Method:
Cook's tip: Always leave some moisture in relish before bottling. Because of its sugar content it will thicken on standing and even more on keeping. http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/features/food-wine/2524631/Budget-tomato-relish |