Author: Amy Riley

Love tomato ketchup? Well, why not try and make your own homemade version. Great family cooking activity.

Ingredients

• 2 cans peeled ground tomatoes
• 1/2 cup water
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1 whole clove

Method

Step 1- Add the ground tomatoes into a slow cooker. Next swirl in the water.

Step 2- Add the sugar, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, mustard, black pepper and whole clove. 

Step 3- Whisk to combine.

Step 4- Cook on high for 10- 12 hours, stirring every hour. 

Step 5- Once thick, smooth the texture of the ketchup using a blender for 20 seconds. 

Step 6- Finally strain the mixture to remain any skins and seeds. Then leave to cool. 

Enjoy!

Need to use up a surplus of ripe tomatoes? Then this chutney recipe is for you. Perfect to go with a delicious cheeseboard. 

Ingredients:

• 3 finely chopped red onions
• 1kg chopped ripe tomatoes
• 8 garlic cloves
• 2 thumb-sized piece ginger
• 300g soft light brown sugar 
• 250ml red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp dried chilli flakes

Method:

Step 1- Add all ingredients into a large pan and simmer over a medium heat for 45minuets. 

Step 2- Stir for a further 20minuets over a high heat until the ingredients forms a jam. 

Step 3- Pour into jam jars, then place into a cool and dark cupboard for three months. Once open, keep in the fridge. 

Enjoy! 

Whether you’re looking for a new quick and tasty snack or a vegetarian alternative, these stuffed tomatoes are for you!

Which tomatoes are best for stuffing?

When purchasing your tomatoes for this recipe, you want to look for medium- sized roterno tomatoes with firm walls. 

Ingredients:

• 4 medium roterno tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup packed fresh basil chopped
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon salted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Method:
Step 1- Slice tomatoes in half horizontally and start to spoon out the flesh inside. 

Step 2- Drain off the seeds and water from the fleshy insides and chop up the remains to use as filling. 

Step 3- Add in the mozzarella, Parmesan, melted butter, bread crumbs and chopped basil into the tomato mix. Add garlic and salt to taste.

Step 4- Once mixed together, start to stuff your tomato shells with the filling.

Step 5- Place stuffed tomatoes onto a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil.

Step 6- Finally, bake for 15mins. 

Enjoy! 

Ever run out of mid week family meal ideas? Well, look no further with this super easy Classic Tomato Pasta Bake.

Ingredients

• 50g butter
• garlic 2 cloves, crushed
• 1 onion
• 2x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• basil
• 250g rigatoni
• 100ml double cream
• 50g, finely grated parmesan
• 2 x 125g balls mozzarella

Method

Step 1- Heat the butter into a pan, add the garlic and onion and cook for 10 minuets over a low heat.

Step 2- Add the tomatoes and sugar and cook until thickened. Stir in the basil. 

Step 3- Next, add in the double cream, parmesan, rigatoni and mozzarella.

Step 4- Pour mix into a baking dish and bake for 10minuets.

Enjoy!

Fancy a nice cup of warm soup in this wintry weather BUT without the high sugar and high calories? Well, why not try making this super tasty but super low calorie, low sugar tomato soup. Only 162 calories per serving! 

Ingredients 

• 600g tomatoes (Arlinta) 
• Coconut oil spray
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• Salt & pepper
• 1/3 cup red onions
• 1/3 cup sliced carrots
• 30g sun- dried tomatoes
• 3 tbsp fresh low fat cream
• 150ml fat free milk
• 3 tsp sweetener 

Method

Preheat the oven

Step 1- Spray a baking tray with coconut oil

Step 2- Add the veggies to the tray with the spices and salt & pepper

Step 3- Bake for 45mins

Step 4- Once the veggies are slightly cooled, add them to a blender along with the cream, sweetener, sun-dried tomatoes and milk.

Step 5- Blend until smooth

Step 6- Add more salt & pepper to taste, if necessary 

Makes 2 servings. 

Enjoy!