Tomato paste is used to thicken and enhance the flavor and color of sauces, pasta fillings, salad dressings, soups, stews, chili, or in any items where you’d like the tomato flavor to stand out. You can coat sliced vegetables (such as potatoes, parsnips, plantains, or mushrooms) with tomato paste and bake or grill to create a tangy crust. Friends of ours use tomato paste as a sandwich spread, instead of ketchup. Use it sparingly, however, because tomato paste has an intense flavor. If you are using only a portion of a can of tomato paste remember to store the remainder in plastic or glass, never metal, and never, ever in the can (no, we have not been peeking into your refrigerator). If you like, you can freeze properly-stored tomato paste until it is needed.
Creative Use of Tomato Paste
Originally posted on December 02, 2020 by The VRG Blog Editor — https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/12/02/creative-use-of-tomato-paste/
Now I know I’m not the only crazy cook who freezes tomato paste. I typically buy the larger 12 ounce can, use what I need for what’s cooking and freeze the rest. Use a piece of plastic wrap large enough to hold the leftover paste in the shape of a small sausage. Mold your leftover paste into this tubular shape and freeze. The next time you need tomato paste, remove from the freezer, unwrap carefully and with a sharp knife cut off what you need. The paste will defrost quickly in your hot dish. Re-wrap and put back in the freezer. Repeat as needed.
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