Tomatoes With Ginger Lemon And Chile Recipes

BEEF WITH SCALLIONS, TOMATO, AND GINGER

Steps:

• Cut the beef against the grain into thin strips about 2 inches long (by 1/4-inch thick). In a large bowl, whisk together the sherry, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and sugar. Add the beef and mix well. Set aside.
• Preheat a large non-stick skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and heat until very hot. Add the scallion whites and beef mixture to the skillet, arrange it in a single layer, and cook, without stirring, until well-browned on the bottom and still pinkish inside, about 1 minute. (It is key to only partially cook the meat at this stage, since it will be finish cooking later in the sauce.) Transfer to a bowl.
• Return the skillet to the heat and add the remaining oil. Add the ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute (only a few seconds if using young ginger). Add the scallion greens and tomatoes and cook until slightly softened and saucy, and tomato skin begins to wrinkle, about 1 minute. Return the beef and any collected juice to the skillet, add the hoisin sauce, and cook, stirring, until thick, about 30 seconds more. Season, to taste. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with rice.

TOMATO CHILE JAM

Steps:

• Open the can of tomatoes and drain the liquid into a food processor or blender. Reserve the tomatoes.
• Slice 3 to 6 fresh red chile peppers (depending on their heat) and add to the blender or processor with garlic, ginger and fish sauce. Blend until smooth.
• Pour into a pan, add the diced tomatoes and vinegar and sugar. Simmer until thick and syrupy, about an hour. Natural pectin in the tomatoes gives the sauce its jammy consistency.
• When cool, transfer to containers or jars, and keep refrigerated.

FRESH TOMATO WITH FRESH GINGER SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook the shallots, ginger, and garlic in the butter in a medium skillet over moderate heat for 4 minutes, stirring.
• Stir in the tomatoes and the sugar, and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Put the sauce through a food mill or puree in a food processor or blender until smooth.
• Toss with hot pasta and parsley leaves.
• Serve immediately.
• This recipe yields 4 servings, enough sauce for 1 pound of dried pasta.