Tasty Ways You Can Include Organic Tomato Paste in Your Next Meal

The humble tomato is a wonderfully versatile ingredient that can be added to all kinds of dishes, from soups to salads. No pizza is complete without a tomato base and many popular pasta sauces feature tomato as their main ingredient.

While technically a fruit — due to the fact that it comes from a flowering plant and contains seeds — many nutritionists regard tomato to be a vegetable and it is generally prepared and used as if it were a vegetable. From a nutrition standpoint, the tomato is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

Tomatoes come in many forms, from sundried to sauce. One of the world’s most popular tomato-based products is tomato paste, a concentrated form of the vegetable. Organic tomato paste is a delicious, nutritious food source that is an essential ingredient in many popular recipes.

What is tomato paste?

There are so many different types of tomato products on the market, it can be difficult to know which is the right one to include in your meal. Tomato paste is quite different from tomato sauce, however the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Tomato paste can be thought of as a concentrated form of tomato sauce. It is traditionally made by cooking tomatoes for several hours to reduce the water content, before straining out the skin and seeds, and continuing to cook the mixture until a thick concentrate is formed.

Additional ingredients are often added to this mixture, including herbs and spices.

Tomato paste is also quite different to tomato puree, which is made by cooking tomatoes before blending them into liquid form.

Tomato paste is a pantry staple for many households, due to its versatility and great-tasting flavour.

The benefits of opting for organic products

There are many ways that we can improve our health and wellbeing; one of the simplest is by opting for healthy food options.

Organic food products are both great-tasting and nutrient packed. While non-organic food is often treated with pesticides, chemicals and may contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms), organic food is produced with your health — and the health of our environment — in mind.

By eating organic products — including organic tomato paste — you can be sure that your food has grown in natural, nutrient-rich soil and contains only the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you need for a healthy and well-balanced diet.

Delicious recipe ideas

As mentioned, tomato paste is a great product that can add depth and flavour to all kinds of recipes. No pantry is complete without it.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions for delicious recipes that contain organic tomato paste.

Simple spaghetti

A simple yet delicious pasta dish that features organic tomato paste as the hero ingredient. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 400g spaghetti pasta
• 1 cup tomato paste
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional).

Method:

• Bring a large pot of water to the boil and add a pinch of salt.
• Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente (still slightly firm)
• As the spaghetti is cooking, add olive oil to a fry pan and bring to medium heat.
• Take the garlic (peeled and sliced) and add it to the fry pan. Cook it until tender with a little colour.
• Decrease the heat of the fry pan and add the tomato paste to the garlic.
• Mix the paste/garlic mixture until it is well combined.
• Once the spaghetti is done, drain it and add it to the fry pan. Ensure the spaghetti is completely coated in the paste/garlic mixture.
• Serve with a smattering of chilli flakes on top — enjoy!

Lentil soup with greens

A warm and hearty winter soup with a tasty tomato paste base. Serves 6.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 leek, thinly sliced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• ½ cup organic tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon coriander
• 1 medium bunch of kale, stems removed and finely chopped
• 2 cups canned lentils, drained and rinsed
• Grated parmesan (optional).

Method:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the onion, carrots, and garlic.
• Cook until the onion starts to soften (around 3 minutes).
• Stir in the tomato paste, coriander, and salt and cook for five minutes.
• Pour in four cups of water and bring mixture to the boil.
• Add kale and reduce the heat to medium.
• Cover and let gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Stir in lentils.
• Ladle soup into bowls and top with parmesan — enjoy!

These are just two examples of the many ways in which you can incorporate organic tomato paste into your daily diet. With it’s great taste and high nutritional benefits, you’d be foolish to opt for any other product. Try some today and taste the difference for yourself!