Thermomix Tomato Sauce: Easy Homemade Recipe

by Jhon Lennon 45 views

Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into the world of homemade tomato sauce with your Thermomix? Forget about those store-bought sauces loaded with preservatives and sugar. We're talking fresh, flavorful, and totally customizable sauce made right in your kitchen. This recipe is so simple, even if you're a Thermomix newbie, you'll nail it on the first try. Trust me, once you taste the difference, you'll never go back to the jarred stuff!

Why Make Tomato Sauce in Your Thermomix?

Okay, so you might be thinking, "Why bother making tomato sauce when I can just grab a jar at the store?" Well, let me tell you, there are tons of reasons why making it from scratch in your Thermomix is a total game-changer:

  • Freshness: This is the big one. When you make your own sauce, you control exactly what goes into it. You can use the freshest, ripest tomatoes you can find, and skip all the artificial flavors and preservatives.
  • Flavor: Homemade tomato sauce has a depth of flavor that you just can't get from a jar. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness and intensifies their flavor. Plus, you can customize the sauce to your liking with different herbs, spices, and vegetables.
  • Health: Store-bought sauces are often loaded with sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. When you make your own, you can control the ingredients and make a healthier, more nutritious sauce.
  • Cost: Depending on the price of tomatoes in your area, making your own sauce can actually be cheaper than buying the jarred stuff. Especially if you grow your own tomatoes!
  • Customization: Want a spicy sauce? Add some chili flakes. Prefer a sweeter sauce? Add a touch of honey or maple syrup. The possibilities are endless when you're making your own sauce.
  • Convenience: The Thermomix makes it super easy to make tomato sauce. Just throw in the ingredients, set the timer, and let the machine do its thing. No more standing over a hot stove stirring a pot for hours!

Ingredients You'll Need

Before we get started, let's gather our ingredients. Here's what you'll need for a basic Thermomix tomato sauce:

  • Tomatoes: About 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are a great choice, but you can use any variety you like.
  • Onion: 1 medium onion, roughly chopped.
  • Garlic: 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced.
  • Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Fresh Herbs: A handful of fresh basil, oregano, or thyme. You can also use dried herbs if you don't have fresh on hand.
  • Salt and Pepper: To taste.
  • Optional: A pinch of sugar, a splash of balsamic vinegar, or a chili flake for extra flavor.

Ingredient Notes

  • Tomatoes: The quality of your tomatoes will have a big impact on the flavor of your sauce. Use the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find. If tomatoes are out of season, you can use canned crushed tomatoes instead. Just be sure to choose a high-quality brand.
  • Herbs: Fresh herbs will give your sauce the best flavor, but dried herbs work in a pinch. If using dried herbs, use about 1 teaspoon per 2 pounds of tomatoes.
  • Sugar: A pinch of sugar can help to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, especially if they're not super ripe. You can also use honey or maple syrup.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar adds a touch of sweetness and complexity to the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let's get cooking! Here's how to make delicious tomato sauce in your Thermomix:

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Roughly chop the onion and garlic. If you're using fresh tomatoes, you can either peel them or leave the skins on. If you're leaving the skins on, you might want to score the bottoms of the tomatoes with an X and blanch them in boiling water for a minute or two to make them easier to digest.
  2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Add the olive oil, onion, and garlic to the Thermomix bowl. Cook for 3 minutes at 120°C (250°F) on speed 1.
  3. Add the Tomatoes and Herbs: Add the tomatoes, fresh herbs (or dried herbs), salt, pepper, and any optional ingredients to the Thermomix bowl. Cook for 20-30 minutes at 100°C (212°F) on speed 2. The cooking time will depend on the ripeness of your tomatoes. If your tomatoes are very juicy, you may need to cook the sauce for a longer time to reduce it.
  4. Blend the Sauce: Once the sauce has cooked, carefully blend it in the Thermomix. Start on a low speed and gradually increase to speed 7-8 until the sauce is smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids, as they can splatter.
  5. Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, sugar, or herbs to your liking.

Tips for the Perfect Sauce

  • Roast the Tomatoes: For an even deeper flavor, roast the tomatoes in the oven before adding them to the Thermomix. Toss the tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, and roast them at 200°C (400°F) for 30-40 minutes, or until they're soft and slightly caramelized.
  • Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your sauce will taste. Use the freshest, ripest tomatoes you can find, and choose a good-quality olive oil.
  • Don't Overcook the Sauce: Overcooking the sauce can make it bitter. Cook it just until the tomatoes are soft and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  • Add a Touch of Acid: A splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice can help to brighten the flavor of the sauce and balance the sweetness of the tomatoes.
  • Be Patient: Making tomato sauce takes time, but it's worth it. Don't rush the process. Let the sauce simmer and develop its flavor.

Variations and Add-Ins

One of the best things about making your own tomato sauce is that you can customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas for variations and add-ins:

  • Spicy Tomato Sauce: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a chopped chili pepper to the sauce.
  • Garlic Tomato Sauce: Add extra garlic to the sauce.
  • Herb Tomato Sauce: Use a variety of fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
  • Vegetable Tomato Sauce: Add other vegetables to the sauce, such as carrots, celery, zucchini, or bell peppers. Chop the vegetables finely and sauté them with the onion and garlic before adding the tomatoes.
  • Mushroom Tomato Sauce: Add sautéed mushrooms to the sauce.
  • Meat Tomato Sauce: Add cooked ground beef, sausage, or meatballs to the sauce.
  • Creamy Tomato Sauce: Stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk at the end of cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you've made your amazing Thermomix tomato sauce, what are you going to do with it? Here are a few serving suggestions:

  • Pasta: The classic pairing! Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta shape.
  • Pizza: Use the sauce as a base for homemade pizza.
  • Lasagna: Use the sauce in lasagna or other baked pasta dishes.
  • Chicken Parmesan: Top chicken breasts with the sauce and mozzarella cheese and bake until golden brown.
  • Eggplant Parmesan: Use the sauce in eggplant parmesan.
  • Dipping Sauce: Serve the sauce as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, or other appetizers.

Storing Your Homemade Tomato Sauce

If you have any leftover homemade tomato sauce, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Or, you can freeze it for longer storage. To freeze the sauce, let it cool completely and then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. The sauce will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

So there you have it! A super easy and delicious recipe for homemade tomato sauce made in your Thermomix. Once you try this recipe, you'll never go back to store-bought sauce again. It's fresh, flavorful, and totally customizable. Plus, it's a great way to use up those ripe tomatoes from your garden. Give it a try and let me know what you think!