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Tomato Paste

Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:39 am
Posted by WhiteWhale
LSU Fan, Auburn Hater
Member since Aug 2009
6546 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:39 am
I'm a beginner cook. What is tomato paste used for? What purpose does it serve in a spaghetti for instance?
Posted by Count Chocula
Tier 5 and proud
Member since Feb 2009
63908 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:42 am to
quote:

What is tomato paste used for
In NOLA? Everything, including Gumbo and Jambalaya...

In Lafayette, speghetti pretty much covers it.
This post was edited on 11/18/10 at 9:44 am
Posted by DaBeerz
Member since Sep 2004
18309 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:44 am to
Helps as a thickening agent and Gives a good tomato punch without using a whole lot
Posted by WhiteWhale
LSU Fan, Auburn Hater
Member since Aug 2009
6546 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:45 am to
quote:

What purpose does it serve in a spaghetti for instance?
Posted by ndtiger
vicksburg, ms
Member since Aug 2004
8718 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:46 am to
quote:

What is tomato paste used for?


for attaching tomatoes together....duh!
Posted by Politiceaux
Member since Feb 2009
17665 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:46 am to
Posted by Count Chocula
Tier 5 and proud
Member since Feb 2009
63908 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:46 am to
quote:

What purpose does it serve in a spaghetti for instance?
See response directly above yours for answer! I'm feeling lazy today
Posted by WhiteWhale
LSU Fan, Auburn Hater
Member since Aug 2009
6546 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:47 am to
quote:

for attaching tomatoes together


Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
49636 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:49 am to
Lots of folks will brown tomato paste for red gravies and spaghetti sauces to increase the richness of the flavor.

I use a tablespoon or so when I make roast and gravy. It's not enough to add a tomato tasting component, but it adds some body and richness to the juices.

It's also used in preparing meats with meat sauces. For example, in many beef recipes, the sauce is started with a little browned tomato paste. I keep a tube of the concentrated paste in the fridge rather than opening cans to use just a tablespoon or so, although, you can freeze the paste and cut off portions, if you like and you're frugal.
Posted by Count Chocula
Tier 5 and proud
Member since Feb 2009
63908 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:49 am to
quote:

for attaching tomatoes together....duh!
Damn, good to know ndtiger, I can now cut down on my duck tape consumption.
Posted by Count Chocula
Tier 5 and proud
Member since Feb 2009
63908 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:50 am to
Rhu Rho... somebody's stalking
Posted by glassman
Next to the beer taps at Finn's
Member since Oct 2008
117981 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 9:51 am to
quote:

Lots of folks will brown tomato paste for red gravies and spaghetti sauces to increase the richness of the flavor.


Really a must if tomato paste is used in any dish.
Posted by CITWTT
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2005
31765 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 10:12 am to
It is a very concentrated tomato flavor imparting "sauce". It is used in red sauces like spaghetti, chili, the meat sauce for moussaka(greek eggplant dish). When used it is best to lightly roast/saute it in a tiny bit of olie oil in the bottom of the pan/pot for about a minute or two.
Posted by DaddyFrogLegs
Donaldsonville
Member since Apr 2009
397 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 10:29 am to
quote:

very concentrated tomato

Exactly. It has a high concentration of Tomato Sugar (not to be confused with Granulated Sugar). Tomato Sugar is more savory.

I like to sweat my onions. Add my garlic and cook that for a minute or two. Then add tomato paste; stir well and saute at medium-low for 15 to 20 minutes while everything Caramelizes to a Mahogony Brown. You can use this mixture to season a lot of things!

Posted by Politiceaux
Member since Feb 2009
17665 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 10:34 am to
quote:

I like to sweat my onions. Add my garlic and cook that for a minute or two. Then add tomato paste; stir well and saute at medium-low for 15 to 20 minutes while everything Caramelizes to a Mahogony Brown.

This is what I do as well.
Posted by lsumailman61
Gulf Shores
Member since Oct 2006
7948 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 11:02 am to
I use it when i make big batches of Bloody Marys on gamedays!
Posted by DaddyFrogLegs
Donaldsonville
Member since Apr 2009
397 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 11:06 am to
quote:

I use it when i make big batches of Bloody Marys on gamedays!
Interesting! I've never done this... I guess because Tomato Juice is so Damn Cheap!
Posted by WhiteWhale
LSU Fan, Auburn Hater
Member since Aug 2009
6546 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 11:16 am to
Posted by tavolatim
denham springs
Member since Dec 2007
5114 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 11:21 am to
quote:

I keep a tube of the concentrated paste


I love this stuff... also the sun dried tom. paste....I also keep the concentrated garlic paste and the black olive paste....sure comes in handy when you are throwing something together in a hurry.
Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
49636 posts
Posted on 11/18/10 at 11:26 am to
I agree, Tav. The tubes are very convenient for quick fixes. I really love the paste in the tube. I was throwing out nearly full cans of paste all the time or trying to freeze the stuff and it just wasn't worth the hassle.
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