Thick tomato sauce that combines heirlooms and balsamic roasted tomatoes for a meaty flavor.
One of things I think about when all the heirlooms show up at the market is making homemade tomato sauce. I don't eat beef much more than once or twice a year, but I grew up loving a tomato chunky, meaty sauce for pasta. I've had to experiment a bit to get a tomato sauce that can match it.
I won't kid you that this is exactly the same as a meaty tomato sauce, but it's a kick-butt serious tomato sauce all the same. I use fresh juicy heirlooms and my Roasted Balsamic Tomatoes. The roasted tomatoes with the balsamic gives off the thick texture I like, and a deep savory flavor that approaches meat. I just coarsely chop them so that they end up being the chunks in the sauce.
I keep the sauce pretty simple so that I can do different things with it, but feel free to add some garlic, onions, or some herbs to your liking. I'm going to experiment canning some this year so that I can have this sauce all winter long, so I'll let you know how that goes. Canning tomatoes can be a little tricky as there needs to be enough acid for it to be safe. Most canning recipes for tomatoes add some lemon juice. I have balsamic vinegar in mine, so I'm thinking it will be fine, but until I try it myself, I can't recommend it.
But I can recommend eating this sauce today. Totally. Most recently, I used it on the BBQ Chicken Pizza I posted earlier in the week.
Meaty Roasted Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 large heirloom tomatoes
- 8 halves of Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel the heirlooms with a sharp knife. It doesn't have to be perfect - this is intended to be a rustic tomato sauce. Core the tomatoes and chop them into 2 inch chunks. Place in a small pot over medium heat.
- Add the Balsamic Roasted Tomato halves. (I keep this staple in my refrigerator all the time. It's amazing the number of uses I find for them.)
- Add the olive oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper and stir.
- Simmer until the sauce reaches the thickness you prefer. I typically simmer mine for about 30 minutes, but this at least partly depends on how juicy the heirlooms are that I'm using. Correct for seasoning.
- I've refrigerated mine for up to two weeks without any problem.
apuginthekitchen says
This is just lovely, I love tomato season and the heirlooms are my favorite, so sweet naturally and I love the many varieties. I also love to make a balsamic tomato roast or reduction and keep it in my fridge it’s delicious. Your sauce looks meaty without the meat, thick and rich. Love it!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Thanks Suzanne! I’m hoping to be able to can it so I can add this to my regular “pantry” of things to make meals easy.
lizthechef says
The perfect summer tomato sauce, Susan – I use a lot of Meyer lemon juice in mine.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Meyer lemon juice is perfect! Especially with your wonderful Meyer lemon tree 🙂
TasteFood says
I love roasted tomatoes and use them in everything I can think of. That photo is gorgeous.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Thanks so much Lynda! Me too – roasted tomatoes is such a versatile ingredient. And I’ve found it to be a great substitute for meat in some dishes 🙂
Deb says
What a robust vegetarian recipe! Seasonal and scrumptious, a perfect dinner idea!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Thanks so much Deb!! Totally vegetarian and vegan!!!
apuginthekitchen says
Yes canning is a great idea, it will bring a taste of delicious summer produce as winter approaches.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Exactly! I just need to figure out the acidity levels, and do some testing. I think I’ll add lemon juice to one of the jars and label it so I can see which ones turn out the best.
Choc Chip Uru says
What s hit of flavour this sauce would give my friend it takes tomato sauce to a whole new level 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Terra says
Simple is totally okay with me!!! I love a flavorful homemade tomato sauce:-) Your recipe sounds delicious, Hugs, Terra
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Roasted tomato sauce is one of my most favorite ways to use garden tomatoes, yum! I can’t get enough of it. beautiful pictures.
mjskit says
WOW! Does this look good or what?!?! What a beautiful sauce!
Amy Tong says
Oh my…Your Roasted Tomato Sauce looks incredible and I bet the flavor is wonderful too. I can’t wait to try this with my homegrown tomatoes. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing. Have a happy Friday and a great weekend ahead.
Cynthia says
I grew up loving a chunky tomato sauce, too, Susan. And a pizza sounds like just the thing for a Saturday night supper!
Marika Bezuidenhout says
I cannot wait to make this sause, I can taste it in my mouth(almost drooling)
What was the outcome fo the test, is the balsamic enough to bottle it?
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
I haven’t bottled it yet, so I’m still not sure. Sorry to not be able to answer that question. But the sauce is one I make regularly!!