Tomato Water Recipes

SUMMER TOMATO WATER

Steps:

• Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth, and set it over a bowl or a large liquid measure. Add tomato pulp, seeds, and juice and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 1 day. (Tip: For clear liquid, don't stir the pulp.) Tomato water will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator, or it can be frozen and used throughout the year.

TOMATO WATER

Steps:

• Rinse tomatoes well under running water and quarter. In a food processor purée tomatoes with salt until smooth. Line a large sieve set over a tall nonreactive kettle with cheesecloth and carefully pour tomato purée into center of cheesecloth. Gather sides of cheesecloth up over purée to form a large sack and, without squeezing purée, gently gather together upper thirds of cheesecloth to form a neck. Carefully tie neck securely with kitchen string. Tie sack to a wooden spoon longer than diameter of kettle and remove sieve. Put spoon across top of kettle, suspending sack inside kettle and leaving enough room underneath sack so that it will not sit in tomato water that accumulates. Let sack hang in refrigerator at least 8 hours.
• Without squeezing sack, discard it and its contents and transfer tomato water to a bowl. Tomato water keeps, covered and chilled, 4 days.

SUMMER TOMATO WATER

Steps:

• Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl, and line the strainer with cheesecloth (or a clean flour sack towel). Add the tomato water ingredients to a blender or food processor, and pulse until pulpy or finely chopped. (You may need to cut the tomatoes or cucumber in large chunks to get it next to the blade. If you do, make sure to pour any extra juice in with them!)
• Pour the mixture into the prepared strainer, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or up to a day.
• Tip: for clear tomato water, don't press or stir the pulp.
• Discard the solids, and keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

TOMATO-BASIL WATER

Steps:

• Place 1 diced ripe beefsteak tomato (about 10 ounces) and 3 sprigs basil (lightly crushed) in a pitcher. For still infused water, add 2 quarts of water. For sparkling water, add 1 quart of seltzer during prep and a second quart just before serving. Refrigerate 2 to 4 hours to allow the ingredients to infuse. Stir well and strain, discarding the solids. For serving, add diced tomato and basil sprigs for garnish and plenty of ice. The infused water will keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.

TOMATO WATER

Steps:

• Place tomatoes on a large piece of cheesecloth; season with salt and add basil. Wrap tightly, tying a knot and leaving a long tail with the cheesecloth. Tie cheesecloth tail to the center of a dowel or wooden spoon and suspend over the edges of a large container. Transfer to refrigerator and let liquid drain overnight. Transfer tomato water to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

TOMATO WATER BLOODY MARY

Steps:

• For tomato water:
• In food processor, purée first six ingredients until smooth. Line sieve with cheesecloth and set sieve over nonreactive bowl. Pour purée into center of cheesecloth and refrigerate overnight. Gather sides of cheesecloth up over purée to form large sack and squeeze gently to extract last bits of water. Discard sack and its contents and transfer tomato water to bowl. Set strainer over bowl and squeeze in lime, lemon, and orange juice. Stir well. Makes about 20 ounces tomato water, enough for roughly 4 drinks.
• For Bloody Mary
• Fill 4 highball glasses with ice. In each, combine 4 ounces tomato water and 1 1/2 ounces vodka and stir. Garnish with cherry tomatoes.

TOMATO WATER

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients and let marinate overnight. Purée in a blender, then let it strain through a jelly bag over a bowl. (This will take several hours.) Chill.