Creative Ways to Use Tomato Paste for 3 Completely Different Meals
Bet you never thought a bit of tomato paste could go such a long way.
Long reserved for lasagna and ragù, tomato paste is working its way into dishes from all over the world. Use it to make a fragrant homemade curry paste, then simmer the paste with broth for a spicy soup guaranteed to soothe seasonal sniffles. Steam tender mussels and white beans in a mixture of tomato paste and wine for a light and comforting meal, or blend it with garlic and mayonnaise to make an addictive dip for oven fries. For bigger flavor (and easier storage), swap those tiny cans of yore for tidy tubes of double-concentrated paste.
1
Recreate the beloved delivery staple, chicken tikka masala, right at home. Make the quick curry paste in a food processor and you’re basically there. This is a great tomato paste starting point for any home cook.
Get the recipe: Tomato-and-Pepper Aioli
2
Steamed mussels is one of the easiest dishes you can make that looks like a fancy meal. This version is flavored with tomato paste, garlic, and paprika, and bulked up with creamy cannellini beans. Don’t skip the bread here: You’ll want to keep dunking it in the tomato paste sauce/broth until the last bite.
Get the recipe: Tomatoey Beans and Mussels
3
Recreate the beloved delivery staple, chicken tikka masala right at home. Make the quick curry paste in a food processor and you’re basically there. This is a great starting point for any home cook.
Get the recipe: Quick Chicken Tikka Masala