Tomatoes are a staple in many kitchens. They can be used to make sauces, soups, and stews.
Sometimes they are pureed and added to dishes for texture or flavor.
Blenders are an easy way to puree tomatoes but they aren’t always available.
There are other options that you may not have thought of before! In this blog post, we’re going to talk about the three easiest ways to puree tomatoes without using a blender!
What Are The Benefits Of Pureeing Tomatoes?
Purees are great for adding to sauces, soups, and stews.
They can also be used as a substitute in recipes that call on tomato paste or canned tomatoes – just make sure you adjust the amount of liquid accordingly!
It’s important not only because it makes your cooking process easier, but also because it helps you to use up all of your produce!
Pureeing is a great way for kids and adults alike who are new or struggling with cooking. It’s easy, quick – no need for any fancy equipment like blenders (although that would work too!).
And the best part? You can store them in the freezer for up to six months!
Simple Tomato Puree Recipe
1. Peel and quarter tomatoes.
2. Put them in a pot with enough water to cover the bottom of the pot
3. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Add salt if desired.
5. Drain tomato mixture into a blender or food processor using a slotted spoon or colander (do not pour hot liquid directly onto the machine).
6. Blend until smooth, adding some of the cooking water as needed for consistency.
3 Ways To Puree Tomatoes Without A Blender
Option One: Sieve
The problem some people have with pureeing tomatoes is that the tomato-to-water ratio can be off. This means you might have too much water for a thick soup or sauce, and not enough for a light Italian-style sauce.
The solution to this problem? A sieve!
Squeeze the tomatoes through a sieve. This is an easy way to puree them without using any other tools and it doesn’t require much effort on your part!
This method is useful for those that want to make sauces and soups with tomato and also for making fresh fruit smoothies.
1. Cut the tomatoes in half.
2. Place them skin-side up on a sieve over a bowl or pot and let them drain for about 1 hour.
3. Push the tomato halves through the sieve with a spoon or spatula, discarding any seeds and skins that remain behind.
Option Two: Potato Masher/Fork
Use a potato masher or fork to mash it up!
Puree tomatoes using a potato masher is one of the simplest ways to do so.
1. Cut a tomato in half and place it on the potato masher.
2. Press down hard on the tomato to crush it into small pieces.
3. Continue crushing until all of the tomatoes are mashed up.
Option Three: Use A Food Processor
The first step is grabbing yourself a food processor.
The second step is placing the tomato on the blade of the machine and blending until it reaches your desired consistency.
If you want something more chunky then just leave some pieces whole while making sure that there isn’t anything too large or hard that will break off from being blended together with the rest of the tomato.
Related Read: How To Blend Food Without A Blender
Tips And Precautions
- Rinse tomatoes thoroughly before peeling them to remove any pesticides or chemicals from the skin.
- Cut out any bruised or rotten parts of the tomato.
- Let the tomatoes cool before mashing.
- To avoid splatters while pureeing ingredients, don’t fill your blender more than one-third of the way and instead close off the top with either a kitchen towel or by pushing in on the lid. The steam won’t expand as quickly and you will reduce the risk of burns.
The Best Tomatoes For Puree
Have you ever tried to puree tomatoes, but they just end up being watery and not smooth? It can be a pain to find the perfect tomato for your recipe.
These are by far the best tomatoes for making puree –
1. Roma tomatoes
2. Cherry tomatoes
3. Beefsteak tomatoes
Storage
This is a good question because you want your fruit and vegetables as fresh as possible when cooking or baking with them, so it’s important that you store them properly.
Option One: Store in an airtight container and place it into the fridge. This will keep your puree fresh for up to five days, but you can also freeze this too!
Option Two: Place a layer of cling film on top then seal with lid or foil before placing inside freezer bag – if using plastic bags, make sure you remove as much air from the bag before sealing it. This will keep your puree fresh for up to six months!
Related Post: Is Ketchup A Smoothie?
Conclusion
Now you know the four best ways to puree tomatoes, it’s time for me to tell my favorite.
I love using a blender because they are quick and easy – just make sure that your tomato is chopped into small chunks before adding them in!
To avoid any mess or splatters on worktops when blending hot liquids like this, I recommend using a jug blender, which has the blades built into it.
