Thursday, January 2, 2014

Pizza Sauce and How to Use Tomato Powder






Tomato Powder can be used to replace tomato sauce, paste, or juice in recipes.  It is a super useful item to have in the kitchen.   Tomato powder has a strong clear tomato taste.  When used straight it reminds me a little of sun dried tomatoes.   
 
When cooking with tomato powder  you need to remember that it is very acidic, which makes sense when you read the label and see that the only ingredient in tomato powder is tomato.

 I find that when I am using tomato powder in recipes I often like it much better if I add a little baking soda and a little sugar to the tomato powder.  Adding the sugar and baking soda is totally optional but give it and try.  It makes it taste more like the products you buy in the grocery store.  I think you’ll like it. 
 
Remember that there is no salt in the tomato powder but in most prepared tomato products there is a lot, so make sure to taste and adjust your recipe accordingly.



If you need: 
Use this much tomato powder
Sugar and Baking Soda
**Optional
And this much water
Tomato sauce
½ cup
2 Tablespoons plus ¾ Teaspoon baking soda
1 cup
Tomato  paste
½ cup tomato powder
2 Tablespoons plus ¾ Teaspoon baking soda
½ cup water
Tomato Juice
½ cup tomato powder
2 Tablespoons plus ¾ Teaspoon baking soda
5 cups water




My favorite ways to use tomato powder
  • Tomato Soup.  YUM.   
  • Sprinkle this over hot pasta with butter for a quick sauce
  • Add it to focaccia bread and sprinkle some on top
  • Add it to homemade salad dressings
  • Mix it with mayonnaise for a great tomato mayo dip
  • Thicken sauces, stews and gumbos with it.  This is my absolute favorite thing about tomato powder.   I hate opening a can of tomato paste to just use a tablespoon to thicken a soup. 

And then there is pizza.  We really love pizza.  And this is our favorite pizza sauce. 


Pizza Sauce from Tomato Powder

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Italian Blend
pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and stir with a whisk to combine.  
Add water and olive oil to saucepan and bring to a boil.  
Reduce heat to low and slowly whisk in the dry ingredients.  
Use for pizza sauce or to dip bread sticks in. 



NOTES:
  • If you included the baking soda, it will foam up; just keep stirring until the foam dissipates.  
  • Recipe inspired by this one. 

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