10 ways you can use this homemade Tomato Relish

We haven’t been out since the initial lock down in Texas due to Covid. And the last time we were out there was such a hysteria of everything running out and shops closing that we picked up absolutely random groceries that we otherwise don’t. We needed to stay home for at least two weeks, which meant shopping for fresh vegetables a bit difficult. So I grabbed these huge cans of peeled tomatoes. Weighing in at 6 pounds each!

We never used them though. We’ve been making limited gravies around here and have just been bbq-ing with salads or veges on the side. My kids aren’t huge ketchup/ tomato sauce fans and I try to keep it that way because I don’t want them to put ketchup on everything in order to eat it. Nope.

But we made burgers the other day and I thought with that huge jar of tomatoes I should attempt to make some sauce or salsa or relish of some sort. So this is yet another Covid Edition recipe.

I have since then been using this for everything. Read below for my tomato relish adventures and feel free to add yours in the comments below.

1. I added some relish to some classic Aloo Gosht Shorba at gosht bhoona stage (a curry made with meat and potatoes which is a staple in ALL Pakistani households) and everyone specifically mentioned just how good it was. I Lol-ed.
2. I added some broth to it and had it as tomato soup. YUM
3. I used some for kids cheese pizza as pizza sauce.
4. I upped the garlic and spices and used it as adult pizza sauce.
5. I used it in Salad.(subway style)
6. I used it instead of ketchup for the kids.
7. Used it in burgers.
8. I used it to coat chicken I was bbq-ing.
9. Will use it in meat balls and spaghetti for the kids.
10. Will use it to stir fry some vegetable rice tomorrow with Chinese style chicken for the adults.

Do you need more reasons? Because I can come up with a few more. Oh I have another one! Will use it as salsa dip tonight for movie time. YAS!

You could make this yummier and healthier by adding jalepenos, capsicum, carrots in the base. I will next time, and will probably use fresh tomatoes (There’s no comparison with fresh)

But this was a very basic version I made. I liked it. You make it and like it too, add more vegetables if you want. Or don’t, its chill. Lets not make cooking a life and death matter please and thank you.

OH HOW ABOUT ON FOCACCIA BREAD. Ok I’ll stop now.

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Ingredients

6 pounds tomatoes peeled or if fresh blended. (I prefer unpeeled though just because)

1 cup Lakanto (OR SUGAR) I wanted to be able to use this too and Im low carb.

1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar or White Vinegar

1 Sprig Fresh Italian Oregano (we have some growing in our garden, use dried if you don’t)

1 tablespoon Dried Oregano

1 Tablespoon White Pepper

1 Tablespoon Black Pepper

1.5 Tablespoon Salt or to taste.

1 Tablespoon Onion Powder

1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder

2 Tablespoon Chilli Flakes (Don’t add it if you’ll be using it for kids. I didn’t and just add chilli flakes when I’m using the relish for adult meals)

One Small Onion

8-10 cloves of Fresh Garlic

I used heaped tablespoons for everything. You don’t have to, I added some salt later as well, and I didn’t want it that sweet if you want it sweeter you can add more sugar.

Method:

Chop the onion and garlic finely, I didn’t make a paste because I wanted it chunky. If you want a smoother consistency, blend it.

In a cup of oil add the onion and saute till translucent. (I would add two fresh green chillies whole at this point if I was making it for strictly adults)

Add the chopped garlic and wait till both onion and garlic have some color.

Add all the spices and saute for a few seconds and then add the tomatoes.

Add the vinegar and let simmer and cook down to how thick you want it. Use a hand blender to blend the tomatoes. Add the fresh chopped oregano at the end for a more vibrant flavor.

Cool and add to jars and store in fridge. I put the oil right on top after scooping it in so it covers the sauce. The oil will prevent it from going bad. I think I had about 3 jars worth of sauce. I am down to 1.5 now. Love having this in the fridge as a condiment. And the kids have been using this instead of ketchup even though its not technically tomato sauce, definitely not as sweet, but hey if they like it I’m happy.

Let me know if you make it and how you use it.

Oooo I think I’ll make some cheese sandwiches and use this in them for the kids for my tea time and their snack time.

Does that make 12 or 13 ways I’ve used it so far?