Tomato Paste Substitute?

[SizzlininIN]

Say a recipe calls for tomato paste and you go to the pantry and lo and behold you don't have any........what can you use in its place. This time I ended up using a small can of tomato sauce because I really didn't feel like luging my butt to the store....

 

[bknox]

I have used ketchup depending on what I am making and how lazy I feel as far going to the store. Ketchup and paprika. Once I used dry coffee creamer in Alfredo because I was homebound and had already set my mind to making Alfredo and did not have enough cream. I was ashamed but also strangely fullfilled.

 

[Chef_Jimmy]

you could boil down tomato sauce to evaporate the liquid and thicken it up

 

[SizzlininIN]

Thanks guys! I've already added the sauce to my dish. But I'll keep your suggestions in mind for the next time I find I'm out of the paste.

 

[Robo410]

puree diced or whole canned tomatoes...or crushed tomato. neither will be as thick, but both will give great flavor and cook down well.

 

[SizzlininIN]

Thanks Robo!

 

[mudbug]

I was ashamed but also strangely fullfilled.

and the karma goes to the gentleman who finds the perfect way to describe those "moments."

 

[Constance]

You never did say what the recipe was, Sizzlin. I always keep tomato paste on hand, but I don't use it very often. What are/were you making?

 

[SizzlininIN]

You never did say what the recipe was, Sizzlin. I always keep tomato paste on hand, but I don't use it very often. What are/were you making?

I ususally have several cans but with the kitchen in disarray (remodeling) I haven't a clue as to what I have or don't when it comes to meal time. That is unless I go directly to the store and buy everything I need for that particular meal.
Anyway, it was for a beef stew recipe I found on the back of the Swanson Beef Broth can. The fact that it called for coffee granules or instant coffee caught my eye and I had to give it a try. It wasn't too bad but I had to tweek it with S & P and next time I'll try to change it up. I'm not a huge fan of thyme and this called for a tsp. so I'll probably try it with other variations of herbs.

 

[BreezyCooking]

This is apparently the only way I can delete this stupid repetitive post.

 

[BreezyCooking]

The new glue-in-place (that's the only way I can descirbe them) sheets have been a Godsend to me as far as tomato paste goes. I open a can, use what I need, & then spoon out tablespoon-fulls on one of those sheets, cover it with another sheet, & squeeze out the air between all the little tablespoons. It works FANTASTICALLY!! Just this past weekend I was able to "cut out" two tablespoons of frozen tomato paste to use in a recipe.

I've also used this stuff for freezeing leftover canned chipotle peppers in adobe sauce. Works great.

I also alway have a "tube" of tomato paste in the fridge for those recipes that just call for a small dollop or so.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Admins - I'm getting pretty d**** sick of these posting problems. I can't even delete all my repetitive posts - which I did NOT post.

These problems are NOT due to my computer.

HELLO - ANYBODY HOME???

 

[Andy M.]

I think ketchup is closer in flavor to tomato paste than canned tomato.

I freeze spoonfuls of leftover paste on a plate then toss them into a Ziplock.

 

[SizzlininIN]

Admins - I'm getting pretty d**** sick of these posting problems. I can't even delete all my repetitive posts - which I did NOT post.

These problems are NOT due to my computer.

HELLO - ANYBODY HOME???

Its been happening to me to Breeze.

 

[LadyCook61]

I use the tube of tomato paste, always on hand in the fridge, especially if I don't need a whole can of paste. Another idea is if you don't need the whole can of paste you can freeze the left over ones in an ice cube tray .