Tomato paste

Tomato cooked down to a thick, dark red concentrate with no sugar or vinegar: a different jar from ketchup (茄汁). The café's borscht, tomato macaroni and the tomato base under 茄汁豬扒飯 are fresh tomato plus paste, with a spoon of ketchup for sweetness. Read the Australian shelf carefully: tomato paste (Leggo's or a house brand, for example, in 140g and 250g tubs and 500g jars) is this; tomato sauce is ketchup; passata is sieved purée and tomato purée is thinner still, and neither is paste, though passata thickened with paste will do in a pinch.

Cautions: read first

• Once opened, refrigerate and use within a few days, or freeze it in spoonfuls.

Preparation

Fry it in the oil for a moment to take off the raw edge before the water or stock goes in.

Origin

Southern Italy. At every supermarket, Leggo's or a house brand for example, in tubs and jars.

Availability in Australia

Easy to find

Pairs well with