You can enjoy tomatoes in many different ways. You can eat them raw, cooked, or in a sauce. When you are cooking with tomatoes, you may have to choose between tomato paste and tomato sauce. Both of these ingredients have their own unique flavors and purposes in the kitchen. Understanding the differences between tomato paste vs sauce will help you make the best choice for your next recipe.
What is tomato paste ?
Manufacturers make tomato paste by cooking and straining tomatoes into a thick concentrate. It comes in a tube or can, and you can use it as a flavoring ingredient in sauces, soups, stews, and other dishes.
Producers cook tomatoes for several hours to remove moisture and then strain out the seeds and skin. They can then can or package the resulting thick, rich paste for future use.
When shopping for tomato paste, look for brands with minimal additives and preservatives for the best taste such as chi chi las. Some varieties are even available in convenient squeeze tubes for easy measuring and use.
What is tomato sauce ?
Tomato sauce is a basic, traditional tomato-based sauce made with crushed or puréed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like basil and oregano. You can use it as a base for other sauces or as a simple topping for pasta dishes. Additionally, you can add it to casseroles or serve it as a dipping sauce for bread or vegetables. With its versatile nature and delicious flavor, tomato sauce is a kitchen staple for many home cooks.
Producers cook tomatoes, strain out the chunks, and add seasonings like salt, sugar, and herbs to make canned tomato sauce. Some manufacturers may also add other ingredients such as onions, garlic, and spices to enhance flavor.
You can make homemade tomato sauce by cooking down fresh or canned tomatoes with your desired seasonings until it has thickened a little. If you want your tomato sauce to be smooth like the canned versions, you can blend it with a blender, food processor, or immersion blender until it reaches your desired consistency.
