THE PANTRY NOTEBOOK
How to cook
with tomato paste.
A spoonful is a beginning. Give it a little heat, add your liquid, and build a sauce, soup or stew around it.
By Ace Sabbah
What is tomato paste?
Tomato paste is a thick, concentrated tomato ingredient. It gives a dish tomato flavour, colour and body without adding a large amount of liquid. Ace Sabbah is double concentrated and made with one ingredient: tomatoes.
Think of it as a base you season yourself. Our paste does not contain the herbs or other ingredients of a finished pasta sauce. The garlic, spices, stock and finishing touches are yours to choose.
Give it a moment in the pan.
- Start with your base. Soften the onion or other vegetables in a little oil, following your recipe. Add garlic when directed.
- Stir in the paste. Cook over medium heat for a minute or two, stirring, until the colour deepens. Keep it moving so it does not catch or burn.
- Add liquid gradually. Stir in stock, water or reserved pasta water. Scrape the base of the pan and mix until the paste is evenly dispersed.
- Finish your dish. Simmer as your recipe directs, then taste and adjust the seasoning. For a creamy sauce, add cream over gentle heat.
There is no single paste-to-water ratio that suits every meal. A soup needs more liquid than a pizza sauce. Use a recipe as your starting point and loosen the sauce a little at a time.
Six ways to use tomato paste.
- Creamy tomato rigatoni
A quick pasta sauce with cream and reserved pasta water.
- Quick tomato pizza sauce
A concentrated base to spread over your next homemade pizza.
- Red lentil and tomato soup
A warming bowl built around lentils and a rich tomato base.
- Tomato and pepper shakshuka
A pepper and tomato sauce for gently cooking eggs.
- Sunday beef ragù
A slow sauce with browned beef and softened vegetables.
- Tomato basmati rice
A simple way to bring tomato flavour to a rice dish.
830 g or 2,200 g?
Both Ace Sabbah sizes contain the same double concentrated tomato paste. Choose the 830 g tin for a smaller format, or the 2,200 g tin for larger batches and busy kitchens. Check your tin for the full storage instructions and plan how you will use it after opening.
Our 830 g tin is $9 CAD and our 2,200 g tin is $14.69 CAD. Online ordering is available in Canada and the United States; your shipping total and any eligible offer are shown before payment.
Prefer to shop locally? Find a store selling Ace Sabbah tomato paste. For retail or food service quantities, send a wholesale enquiry.