Topic: blended or not blended tomatos

[nutty]

not sure if this is the right place to ask this questions.............I have couple of questions to ask  - when making homemade curries is it better to use tinned tomatoes which ive blended or tomato paste, does iot make a difference to the taste or is it better to put in whole timemed tomatos............... is it best to put it in after the masalas have been added or with the onions or when u put da meat in..........thanks

[Curry King]

Hi Nutty,

I would go with tomato puree although if I am making a madras or vindaloo I will add a couple of spoons of blended tin toms. 

[SnS]

I now avoid using the double and triple concentrate ready made purees as it dominates the curry. Use the mild stuff. Many here use passata which isn't too strong.

SnS

[JerryM]

i take it that u refer to dish cooking. for me got to be tom puree. i add water to it (4 tbsp water to 2 tbsp puree) and add it at the time as the spices. i also use passata in madras and in some dishes fresh toms quartered (adding both after the base has gone in).

i only use tin toms in base. i haven't tried blending a tin of toms to use in place of passata as i can buy passata easily at a good price. i think u would also have to sieve the toms before blending to remove the seeds as they reduce the sweetness.

[adriandavidb]

Tomarto puree seems to add a sweet tomarto flavour, whereas blended tinned toms add a sour tomarto flavour, the latter being particularly evident if they are added AFTER the base, rather than being fried-in in the initial stage (which is what most people do with puree).  That works VERY well for hot madras type curries.  Passata works equally well, if not slighty better, than blended tinned toms in that application.  I swear by it!

[JerryM]

Tomarto puree seems to add a sweet tomarto flavour

also a little salt (typ 1/4 tsp) has a significant effect on enhancing this sweetness. just try it - fry some puree in a little oil and then again but with salt added.

[nutty]

Thanks for da reply guys very imfomative......

few qeustion, just to clear in my head....

what is passata??, is it tomatos blended and the seed removed and what taste does it impart?

so it would be better to use passata then blended tomatos as the seeds are already removed. 

[SnS]

See here

http://www.napolina.com/text_only/cooking_tips.html

What is Passata?
In addition to canned tomatoes, you may also see passata on shelves. This is simply tomatoes that have been sieved to remove the pips and skin. They are ideal for use as a basis for soups and sauces that require a smooth texture.

[Onion B]

Hi Nutty,

A little tip, a lot of passata's  come with added herbs or garlic, stick to the pure tomato passata. Also once opened, will only last 3 days in your fridge, don't buy a big jar or most of it will go to waste.

[matt3333]

Hi Nutty,

A little tip, a lot of passata's  come with added herbs or garlic, stick to the pure tomato passata. Also once opened, will only last 3 days in your fridge, don't buy a big jar or most of it will go to waste.

Hi Nutty
If you do buy the big jar it freezes fine just use an ice cube tray and hey presto instant
passata