Tomato sauce for pizza

Recipe: Tomato paste for pizza

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Number of servings: about 10 250 ml jars

Introduction
Who doesn't love the fresh flavor of a slow-cooked tomato sauce that enriches every dish? This tomato paste recipe for pizza is a real feast for the senses. With simple and natural ingredients, you'll get a delicious sauce, ideal for pizza, pasta or even as a base for other dishes. The history of this sauce is lost in the mists of time, with every housewife having her own secret recipe, but the beauty is that you can put your own stamp on it. So let's get to work!

Ingredients
- 5 kg ripe tomatoes
- 1.5 kg white or yellow onions
- 2 kg red capia peppers
- Sprig of fresh parsley
- Sprig of fresh thyme
- Salt to taste
- Olive oil, to grease the pot

Making the tomato paste
1. Preparing the tomatoes: Start by rinsing the tomatoes under cold running water. To facilitate the squeezing process, you can cut a shallow cross at the base of each tomato. This detail will help peel the skins during cooking.

2. Squeezing the tomatoes: Use a tomato juicer to squeeze out the juice. This will be the base of your sauce. If you don't have a juicer, you can use a blender, but you will get a different texture.

3. Boiling the tomato juice: Pour the juice into a large pot greased with olive oil. This step will prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot and add subtle flavor. Put the pot on medium heat and wait for it to come to the first boil.

4. Adding the onion: While the tomatoes are starting to cook, finely chop the onion. Once the tomato juice has come to a boil, add the chopped onion and stir well. The onion adds sweetness and savory flavor to the sauce.

5. Simmer: Simmer the sauce for 2 hours. This slow process allows the flavors to concentrate and develop. You can stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

6. Preparing the peppers: Meanwhile, roast the capia peppers on a griddle or in the oven until the skins turn black. Once they've cooled, peel, peel off the skins, skins and seeds, then chop them with a food processor. The peppers add sweetness and texture to the final sauce.

7. Combining ingredients: After the two hours, add the chopped peppers to the tomato and onion sauce. Allow to simmer a few times to blend the flavors.

8. Seasoning: Add finely chopped parsley and thyme, then simmer for another 15 minutes. These herbs will give a fresh, natural flavor to the sauce.

9. Salt: Finally, add salt to taste. It is important not to add the salt too early as it can draw water out of the tomatoes and delay the cooking process.

10. Storing: Once the sauce has been cooked, pour it into small sterilized bottles or jars. Be sure to seal them tightly so that the paste stays fresh for longer.

Serving suggestions
This tomato paste is perfect on pizza, but can also be used as a base for pasta, lasagna or even as a sauce for meat dishes. Mix it with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil for a classic pizza, or use it as a sauce for a vegetarian ratatouille.

Useful tips
- If you want a smoother sauce, you can puree it with a hand blender after it has cooled slightly.
- Adding spices such as oregano or basil can add a distinct Italian flavor.
- Make sure the jars are well sterilized to prevent the sauce from fermenting.

Nutrition facts
This tomato paste is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and lycopene, a compound that is beneficial for heart health. It is also low in calories, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. A 100 gram serving of this sauce has about 50 calories.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use canned tomatoes?
Yes, but the sauce will have a different texture. Preferably use fresh tomatoes for a more authentic taste.

2. How can I vary the recipe?
You can add other vegetables such as carrots or celery for a more complex flavor. Adding specific spices or seasonings can also personalize the sauce.

3. How can I keep the sauce longer?
For best preservation, keep the jars in the pantry, but after opening, store them in the refrigerator and use within a few weeks.

Now that you have this tomato paste recipe for pizza, all you have to do is get cooking. Whether you use it for a delicious pizza or as a base for other dishes, you're sure to savor every flavorful bite. Enjoy!