Italian Spice Blend For Canned Tomatoes Recipe 35 Recipes

ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Before you begin, pour your two cans of tomatoes into a bowl and crush with your hand. Don't break them up too small, you want large chunks.
• In a large heavy bottomed pot with a lid, on a burner with no flame, pour in olive oil and add red pepper flakes, garlic, onion, most of the oregano, basil and mint (save a little bit of each for the end), sugar salt and pepper. Turn on the burner and slowly bring up to hot. When the onions and garlic start to cook, stir and heat for five minutes.
• Remove the pot from the burner and place a heat diffuser over the burner. Place the pot over the heat diffuser and add the tomatoes. Turn burner to medium high and stir until they start to boil. Then reduce to simmer, partially cover and simmer 90 minutes.
• After 90 minutes, remove from heat and add the reserved herbs and Parmesan cheese. Add the butter to round out the flavors. Stir again and serve.

ITALIAN STEWED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine tomatoes, celery, onion, bell pepper, basil and sugar. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

34 DELICIOUS RECIPES WITH CANNED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Start cooking the pasta about 5 minutes after you start making the sauce.
• Cook pasta per packet instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan and when it starts shimmering add the diced onion. Cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, it will take 5-6 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add the tomatoes, salt and few twist of black pepper and give a good stir. Let it cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes until it's slightly reduced. Stir occassionally, and if you use whole tomatoes break them with a back of a spoon.
• When the sauce is ready, taste and adjust the seasoning according to your liking.
• Add the drained pasta to the pan along with the fresh basil and toss until well combined. Add a touch of reserved starchy water to make the pasta juicer and moist.
• Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese and more torn fresh basil leaves. Freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to serve are optional. Enjoy!

ITALIAN-STYLE CANNED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet or line it with a clean towel. Set aside.
• Wash the tomatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Cut a small "X" in the blossom end, or bottom, of each tomato with a paring knife. Dip the tomatoes in the boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds, then immediately plunge them into the ice bath. Slip off the skins and remove the cores.
• Heat the tomato juice in a small non-reactive pot until simmering. Place the canning rack in the canner and fill the pot with water; bring to a boil over high heat.
• Place a still-hot, clean quart canning jar (see Cook's Notes) on the prepared baking sheet. (This will help contain any dribbles or spills and prevent the jars from directly touching the metal.) Place the lemon juice and salt in the jar. Add the basil leaves. Pack the tomatoes into the jar one at a time, pressing firmly to remove any air pockets and leaving at least 1/2 inch of headroom. Cover the tomatoes in the jar with the hot tomato juice, leaving 1/2 inch of headroom.
• Using tongs, place the jars on the rack in the canner. The water should cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Cover the canner. Return the water to a boil and boil gently for 85 minutes (at altitudes less than 1,000 feet elevation; see Cook's Note). Using tongs, transfer the jars to a towel to cool. If the seal works and fits properly, the metal lid will be slightly concave within 24 hours of processing. Store in a cool dark place for up to 1 year.

ITALIAN STYLE STEWED TOMATOES -GOOD FOR CANNING

Steps:

• Blanch, peel, core and quarter tomatoes.
• Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven.
• Add garlic and oregano, cook till garlic is tender and oregano is fragrant (about 2 minutes).
• Add chopped onion and peppers and cook until tender (about 5 min).
• Add tomatoes and sugar, simmer uncovered about 45 min or until desired consistency (you will need to cook longer if tomatoes are watery).
• Place in hot sterilized mason jars, and place in hot water bath, bring water back to the boil and boil for about 20 minutes longer, remove and let cool, re-bath any jars that don't seal.
• NOTE: Some people feel that the hot water bath method is not safe for this recipe, and that a pressure canning method should be used, however, I have always done these this way with no problem.
• I leave this up to your discretion.

ITALIAN BLEND SPICE MIX

Steps:

• Mix together and store in a tightly capped jar.
• Use: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon over each serving of chicken before baking or grilling.
• Can also be added to pasta sauce, or used to make a vinaigrette dressing by adding 1 teaspoon of mix to oil and vinegar.