How to make Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce

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Is there anything better than a perfectly ripe, juicy summer tomato? When tomatoes are ripe and in season they are a wonderful reminder of how good simple food can be.

It’s a taste of sunshine that, properly prepared, can last all through the year. In summer when tomatoes are cheap and plentiful I like to buy up big boxes of tomatoes at the markets and make delicious Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce.

Why is it Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce?

Slow roasting tomatoes concentrates all their fabulous flavour and can make even the saddest, crunchiest supermarket tomatoes taste divine. It’s so simple too, all you need to do is halve the tomatoes and roast them in the oven together with some garlic, chilli, herbs and olive oil.

After an hour the tomatoes are soft, incredibly fragrant and ready to be blended up into a sauce that is so tasty, I can eat it straight from the jar.

Track down bulk tomatoes

It’s best to make this sort of sauce when you can get your hands on cheap tomatoes, either when your own plants are producing their end of season glut, or perhaps from a farmer’s market where you can buy in bulk. It’s a great way of using up bruised or misshapen fruit too, so keep an eye out for bargains.

How to use Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce?

Now the best part, how to use Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce. It’s obviously perfect with pasta and makes an amazing pizza sauce. You can thin it out with a little stock and serve it hot or cold as tomato soup. It’s brilliant for jazzing up some plain chicken breasts and is seriously good in a lasagne. I divide mine up into 500ml (2 cup) jars and freeze it until I need it. Fresh, summery deliciousness all year round.

What jars should I use for preserving / canning?

I use a mixture of jars for preserving, but my favourites are the one at the front of the photos – and I’ve had loads of questions about the cute jar that I have the sauce in! I love these jars, they are from a German manufacturer called ‘Weck’ and are known as ‘Weckgläser’. They are very popular here and they are now available online, click here if you are interested.

Are you growing tomatoes this year? What’s your favourite tomato recipe? Let me know in the comments below! Take care out there and happy cooking. xJ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I preserve Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce by canning?

You can, though water bath canning is quite scientific and is specific to your altitude, and you’ll need to add acid to the mixture. I’d suggest checking online guides like this one. I generally freeze mine as I am not preparing it for the whole winter.

Can I add different flavours to my Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce?

Definitely! You can take this sauce in any direction you like. Oregano and rosemary will give a Western Mediterranean flavour, spices like cinnamon and allspice are more Moroccan, while cumin, coriander and lime will give a Mexican flavour to the finished sauce. If you’re not a fan of chilli, leave it out.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Yes! Set your oven onto fan bake at 180°C / 350°F and use multiple trays.

What canning Jar are you using in the photos?

I use a mixture of jars, but my favourites are the one at the front of the photos – and I’ve had loads of questions about the cute jar that I have the sauce in! I love these jars, they are from a German manufacturer called ‘Weck’ and are known as ‘Weckgläser’. They are very popular here and they are now available online, click here if you are interested.

I like a spicy sauce so I throw in a whole chilli. If you’re not a fan of spice leave it out.

Use lots of fresh herbs and garlic for maximum flavour.

SLOW ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE RECIPE

Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce

Yield: Approx. 1-1.25 litre (1-1.25 qt.)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Roasting the tomatoes for Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce intensifies their delicious, summery flavour. Make up a big batch when tomatoes are at their best and you’ll have a taste of summer all year round.

Ingredients

2kg (4.5 lb) tomatoes
2 red chilli peppers
4 fat cloves garlic, skin on
2 sprigs rosemary
fresh oregano
1 tsp sea salt
black pepper
100ml (just less than ½ cup) fruity olive oil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
small bunch fresh basil (optional)

Instructions

PREPARE: Heat the oven to 200°C / 400°F / Gas 6. Halve the tomatoes and place them cut side up in one layer on a large baking tray.
ADD THE SPICES: Tuck the peppers, garlic, rosemary and oregano around the tomatoes, sprinkle over the salt and plenty of ground black pepper. Drizzle over the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and toss gently to make sure everything is well coated.
COOK: Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour until the tomatoes are soft and beginning to scorch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a minute or two. Remove any dried herbs or tomato stems, and squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins.
BLEND: Transfer the mixture and all the juices in the tray to a large saucepan, and use a stick / immersion blender to puree to desired smoothness. Taste and add a little salt or sugar if necessary. Stir through chopped basil, if using.
TRANSFER TO JARS: Transfer to clean jars and store in the fridge for 1 week, or freeze in 500ml (2 cup) portions.

Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce