The main ingredient in tomato sauce is the tomato. Tomato is a very versatile ingredient in recipes and it’s almost always present in our kitchen. It is used in cooking main dishes, making salads, in their fresh form, making sauces. Tomatoes give flavor and color to food. The lycopene pigment present gives the tomato the red color and its a powerful antioxidant that help to protect against certain cancers.
Health benefits of tomatoes
Tomatoes help help fortify the immune system and protect the arteries against the negative effects of cholesterol. It also helps to clean away impurities in the blood. Tomatoes are a good source of several vitamins and minerals that are important for maintaining good health. Some of the health benefits of tomatoes include:
- Rich in antioxidants: Tomatoes are a good source of antioxidants, including vitamin C and lycopene. These nutrients can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- May reduce the risk of certain cancers: Some studies have shown that lycopene, a nutrient found in tomatoes, may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, including prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers.
- May help with weight management: Tomatoes are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a good choice for people trying to lose or maintain weight.
- May improve heart health: The nutrients in tomatoes, particularly lycopene and potassium, may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- May support bone health: Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin K, which is important for bone health.
Variations of homemade tomato sauce
There are several ways of making tomato sauce at home. The methods range from the simplest with just a handful of ingredients to the complex with many ingredients. One of the simplest methods is cooking the tomatoes with onion and olive oil then blending the mixture for a smooth consistency. Here are other examples of homemade tomato sauce:
- Basic tomato sauce. This is one of the most basic recipe, made with just tomatoes, garlic, onion, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spicy Tomato Sauce. You can add chili flakes, paprika, or cayenne pepper for a spicy tomato sauce.
- Herb Tomato Sauce. Add fresh or dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme to enhance the flavor of the sauce.
- Creamy Tomato Sauce. This tomato sauce is made by adding cream, milk, or grated cheese to create a creamy texture.
- Roasted Tomato Sauce. Roasting tomatoes, garlic, and onion in the oven gives a rich, sweeter flavor to your tomato sauce.
- Chunky Tomato Sauce: Keep the tomato sauce chunky by using diced or crushed tomatoes instead of pureed tomatoes.
- Meaty Tomato Sauce: Add ground beef, pork, or sausage for a hearty meaty tomato sauce.
- Vegetable Tomato Sauce: Add diced vegetables like bell pepper, zucchini, or eggplant for a vegetarian tomato sauce.
- Wine Tomato Sauce. Red wine added to tomato sauce gives it a more complex and sophisticated flavor.
These are just a few variations of tomato sauce. You are hereby encourage to experiment with different ingredients and spices to create your own unique sauce that is perfect for your favorite dishes.
Various ways of using homemade tomato sauce
Homemade tomato sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many ways to add flavor, color and depth to dishes. One of my favorite way of using it is in making wet fried fish. Here are other ways you can use tomato sauce:
- If you have no time to cook, just cook some pasta, add some tomato sauce, and you have a delicious and easy meal.
- Tomato sauce can be used as a base for pizza sauce. Just spread it over your pizza crust, add your favorite toppings, and bake and your delicious pizza is done.
- Tomato sauce can be used as a base for soup to add flavor and thicken the soup. Just add some broth, vegetables, and maybe some meat or beans for a hearty tomato soup.
- Tomato sauce can also be used in chili recipes to give them a rich, tomato flavor.
- Use tomato sauce in meatloaf recipes to add flavor and moisture.
- If you want Casserole dish that has flavor and moisture, try adding homemade tomato sauce.
- Tomato sauce can be used as a marinade for meats, like chicken or beef, to give them a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Tomato sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for breadsticks or other snacks to soften and add flavor.
- Tomato sauce can be used as a topping for eggs, or make an egg dish (soup) that can be eaten as a side dish with other dishes like Kenyan Ugali.
- Add tomato sauce to vegetables to add flavor and moisture.
How to make homemade tomato sauce
Making tomato sauce at home is easier than you might think! To get started, heat up some olive oil in a saucepan and sauté some garlic and onion until soft. Then add your chopped tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you want a smoother consistency, blend the cooked sauce with an immersion blender or a regular blender.
If you like your food in the flavored side like me, customize your tomato sauce recipe by adding herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme. The adventurous type can add some red wine for a more sophisticated flavor profile. With just a few simple steps, you can make a delicious and versatile tomato sauce at home that can be used in pasta dishes, on pizzas, as a dipping sauce and much more. Come on, go on and make your own tomato sauce at home. Thank me later!
Other similar recipes
Homemade tomato sauce recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 onion, diced medium size
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tomatoes medium sized
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes or chopped fresh tomatoes, basil, and oregano to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes; until the tomatoes are well cooked.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- If you'd like a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency. Run it through a sieve if you do not have an immersion blender.
