Amish Tomato Butter Recipes

OLD FASHIONED STEWED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add chopped green peppers and onion, and cook until translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
• Add minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes, sugar and water, and simmer until tomatoes begin to fall apart, approximately 20 minutes.
• Stir in bread cubes. Start with 2 slices of bread that have been torn into 1-inch pieces, and if the mixture seems soupy, add an additional slice. Cook until bread barely holds it shape.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

TOMATO BUTTER

Steps:

• Put a small ceramic plate in the freezer. You will use this this to test the jam later.
• Safely prepare you jars for canning.
• Chop the tomatoes and place them in a large Dutch oven (optionally see crock pot procedure at the bottom) with the sugar and vinegar. Stir everything together, then turn the heat to medium and simmer until the tomatoes begin to break down and are soft, about 15 minutes. Blend the tomatoes with an immersion blender until you have a smooth puree. Lower the heat and continue simmering the jam, stirring frequently, until the liquid has reduced and the mixture is thick and spreadable. This could take anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour, depending on how juicy your tomatoes are. As the mixture thinks, stir more often and watch carefully to avoid scorching.
• When the jam has cooked down and is thickened, spoon a little jam onto the frozen plate. Leave it to set for a minute, tilt the plate. If the jam stays put, or only runs a little bit, it's ready. Also, run a finger through the jam on the plate if the two sides stay separate and don't run back together it is another sign it is ready.
• When the jam has met the set test, remove it from the heat. Fill your canning jars with jam, leaving a 1/2-inch head space. Wipe the rimes of the jars with a damp paper towel to clean up any sticky spills. Dry the lids with a clean paper towel and place on the jars. Screw on the bands tightly. Use good canning procedure.
• You can also make this in the slow cooker. To do this, place all the ingredients in the cooker and cook uncovered for 12-14 hours until set. Puree the tomatoes when they are soft.

TOMATO BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven's broiler to high heat.
• Place the tomatoes on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet, and place on a rack about 6 inches from the heating element.
• Broil tomatoes until they start to brown and release their juice, shaking the pan occasionally, so the tomatoes brown all over, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the tomatoes cool to room temperature.
• Drain tomatoes and place in a food processor. Add thyme, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Pulse until finely chopped, but not completely smooth.
• Cube the butter and add to the food processor. Blend until butter is completely incorporated into the tomato mixture, scraping down sides of bowl, if necessary, 25 to 30 seconds.
• Transfer the butter to a small covered dish. May be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

TOMATO JAM

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a heavy medium saucepan, Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.
• Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture has consistency of thick jam, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then cool and refrigerate until ready to use; this will keep at least a week.