I love making recipes from scratch! Making my own ground spice mix, curry pastes, condiments and chutneys and now this hot and sweet tomato sauce is very satisfying for me. My friends call me crazy as all these are easily available nowadays on the aisles of any supermarket but I know how the taste of the final dish depends on the ingredients used. So if you use real, natural ingredients the taste of the dish will be way tastier and healthier than the spice mix used from a supermarket. I know sometimes, time is a great constraint for people but if we plan a bit ahead, making recipes from scratch is not that difficult.
Just like this hot and sweet tomato sauce! It seems to be a tedious job to make ketchup or sauce from scratch. But it only takes less than couple of hours from start to finish. Now, if you are using a pressure cooker to cook the tomatoes it is even faster.The recipe is quite simple with very less ingredients. No added flavors, food color, additives, loads of sodium and sugar or preservatives. It still tastes amazing! Once you make for yourself and taste it you’ll never go back to the store bought brands.
The great thing about making from scratch is that you can control the amount of seasonings and ingredients according to your choice. Now it is the end of summer here so the tomato season is also coming to an end. I brought home some beautiful vine-ripe tomatoes at a very good deal from our local store. As I said the recipe is quite simple but there are quite a few variations. Some use onion, whole garam masala, ginger etc. while cooking the tomatoes but I love it this way.
Tips:
Adjust the amount of sugar, vinegar and salt according to your taste. You may reduce or increase the amount of chili pepper according to the amount of heat you can handle. Cool completely before pouring it in a bottle. The ketchup stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3 months.
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HOT AND SWEET TOMATO SAUCE
- YIELD: 2- 8oz jars
- PREP: 10 mins
- COOK: 30-40 mins
- READY IN: 40 mins
Sweet and spicy tomato sauce with a subtle garlic flavor . A great sauce to dip fries or any snacks of your choice.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 lb tomatoes preferably vine ripe
- 2-3 large red jalapenos or any hot chili pepper
- 8-10 large cloves of garlic
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons paprika/kashmiri red chili powder for color
INSTRUCTIONS
-
- Wash the tomatoes and cut into wedges. Wash the jalapenos and cut into chunks. Peel the garlic. Transfer tomatoes,garlic and jalapenos into a pressure cooker with 1/4 cup of water and pressure cook it for 3-4 whistles. Alternatively if you have time on hand, you may cook on the stovetop on a big saucepan or in a slow cooker until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
- Cool the tomatoes and blend in a blender until smooth. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer over a clean bowl.
- Heat a big saucepan at medium and transfer the strained liquid and cook for couple of minutes. Add the salt and sugar and cook for 5-7 minutes. Gradually add the vinegar and continuously stir in between. Let the tomato mixture cook down and thicken. Always keep the heat at medium to medium low or else it will splutter and stick to the bottom.
- When the sauce is quite thick, switch off the flame. It should be thick and have sauce like consistency. If it coats the back of a wooden spoon and if you run a finger through it, the line should keep separated. You may also test with a cold plate. Drop two-three drops of the sauce. If there is no trail of water and the sauce holds its shape then it is ready.
- Taste for seasoning. Adjust if needed and mix well. Let the sauce cool completely before you transfer to a clean and dry bottle.
- Serve with fries or any snacks of your choice. Enjoy!
- CUISINE: Indian
- COURSE: Pickles and condiments
Yum! We are always saying we should make our own ketchup- so inspiring that you’ve made your own. But you are right, with a little planning not only is it fun but so much tastier than store bought. And such a nice compliment to any meal especially if you are hosting guests thanks for sharing your recipe & lovely pictures ❤️
Thanks Shahla for your comment! 🙂 I have seen my mom making homemade ketchup,jam from scratch.So that is how I get all the inspiration! 🙂 Homemade things always taste great.