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Tomatoes
Posted by Dawn
I don't buy normally buy tomatoes during winter months as I find they are flavourless, but lately I’ve been using the Campari variety and I love them as they are sweet and full of flavour. They may be more expensive than the flavourless type, but as I’m the only one who eats them I don’t mind spending a little extra.
My husband can no longer eat anything to do with tomatoes as they trigger painful gout, even if there’s only two or three tablespoons in his food so I’ve had to cut using them in recipes. In more recent years we had started eating Indian food which we found we love, but I am so disappointed now to have to shelve recipes which contain tomatoes i.e.Lamb Korma, Irene’s butter chicken recipe just to name a couple – we feel deprived! If I leave them out of the recipe it would probably be a disaster but I guess there is no substitute? I’ve often wondered whether acid free tomatoes would have the same effect on him, but have never tried using them as an alternative. It’s not until you can’t use them that you realise just what a versatile fruit/vegetable it is! I do realise there are heaps of Indian recipes which do not use tomatoes, but it’s always the favourites that have to get the boot!
Regards,
Dawn.
My husband can no longer eat anything to do with tomatoes as they trigger painful gout, even if there’s only two or three tablespoons in his food so I’ve had to cut using them in recipes. In more recent years we had started eating Indian food which we found we love, but I am so disappointed now to have to shelve recipes which contain tomatoes i.e.Lamb Korma, Irene’s butter chicken recipe just to name a couple – we feel deprived! If I leave them out of the recipe it would probably be a disaster but I guess there is no substitute? I’ve often wondered whether acid free tomatoes would have the same effect on him, but have never tried using them as an alternative. It’s not until you can’t use them that you realise just what a versatile fruit/vegetable it is! I do realise there are heaps of Indian recipes which do not use tomatoes, but it’s always the favourites that have to get the boot!
Regards,
Dawn.
Re: Tomatoes August 05, 2018 02:44AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
As a substitute for tomatoes you could try some tamarind, which would contribute the same sweet/sour fruitiness. In place of three medium tomatoes I would try 2 tab of block tamarind, soaked in hot water for a few hours and pushed through a sieve. Don't buy the pre-made tamarind purée as it has no taste whatever.
Re: Tomatoes August 05, 2018 08:17AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,699 |
Thank you for your suggestion TANDAV, (I knew you’d be able to give me an idea!) I hadn’t thought of tamarind and although I do have a jar of ready made paste, I will buy some block tamarind and use that.
I do have a couple of questions:
1. To replace a 400g tin of tomatoes in juice would 5 tablespoons of block tamarind soaked in half a cup of water (then strained) be about right do you think?
2. To replace 1 tablespoon of tomato concentrate could 3 or 4 tablespoons of tamarind pulp soaked in a small amount of water and strained give a good concentration?
3. Or, is it just down to start by adding a small amount of soaked/strained tamarind and from there taste testing individual types of recipes and gradually adding more to get the flavour right? I’m a bit of a novice at playing around with recipes!
Regards,
Dawn.
I do have a couple of questions:
1. To replace a 400g tin of tomatoes in juice would 5 tablespoons of block tamarind soaked in half a cup of water (then strained) be about right do you think?
2. To replace 1 tablespoon of tomato concentrate could 3 or 4 tablespoons of tamarind pulp soaked in a small amount of water and strained give a good concentration?
3. Or, is it just down to start by adding a small amount of soaked/strained tamarind and from there taste testing individual types of recipes and gradually adding more to get the flavour right? I’m a bit of a novice at playing around with recipes!
Regards,
Dawn.
Re: Tomatoes August 05, 2018 08:37AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
I really can't get specific as to quantities - it's just a suggestion, but I don't think you need to worry too much as tamarind is delicious and very forgiving. It won't be like pomegranate molasses, which is very concentrated and horrible when overdone. I like the idea of making up some tamarind purée and adding it gradually.
My rule of thumb for making tamarind purée is that one big tablespoonful of block tamarind (complete with seeds, skin and twiggy bits) plus half a cup of boiling water will yield about 2 tab of purée when sieved.
My rule of thumb for making tamarind purée is that one big tablespoonful of block tamarind (complete with seeds, skin and twiggy bits) plus half a cup of boiling water will yield about 2 tab of purée when sieved.
Re: Tomatoes August 05, 2018 09:33AM |
Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 2,228 |
This is a favourite in our house, and no tomatoes in it. [www.hairybikers.com] (I usually add some pumpkin and peas to this recipe.)
Re: Tomatoes August 06, 2018 04:36AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,699 |
Thank you for your helpful information TPANDAV, it is very much appreciated. It gives me an idea of what a large tablespoonful tamarind will produce as a puree once soaked and strained, and your comments that tamarind "is delicious and very forgiving" has put me at ease a lot. I decided to taste both the pomegranate molasses and the tamarind (albeit from the jar of paste I have here) side by side to get the comparison and I certainly picked up on the sweeter side of tamarind as opposed to the pomegranate and I can now see what a good substitute tamarind will be for tomatoes. Thank you for your ideas.
Griz, thank you very much for the link to one of your favourite recipes it looks just the sort of recipe I want. I have printed it out - (yippee no tomatoes)! I probably saw the Hairy Bikers making this when I used to watch them! I enjoyed their travels and cooking.
Regards,
Dawn.
Griz, thank you very much for the link to one of your favourite recipes it looks just the sort of recipe I want. I have printed it out - (yippee no tomatoes)! I probably saw the Hairy Bikers making this when I used to watch them! I enjoyed their travels and cooking.
Regards,
Dawn.
Re: Tomatoes August 06, 2018 05:34AM |
Registered: 12 years ago Posts: 3,422 |
Re: Tomatoes August 06, 2018 05:52AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,699 |
Oh that's very interesting TPANDAV - no I haven't tried Korean cuisine so I had no idea they don't use tomato so I will have to have a google session on that. Thank you for the idea! They (the Korean's) are right aren't they as I think tomato is known as a fruit rather than a vegetable.
Regards,
Dawn.
Regards,
Dawn.
Re: Tomatoes August 10, 2018 11:28PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 804 |
If youre going to try Korean food, Bulgogi beef is a winner. In NZ they often use Kiwi fruit to marinate the beef. You can have it on rice or on a stick or even in a bun/wrap. Kids love it too.
WHAT IS BULGOGI
In essence, it is Korean marinated beef. It is one of the most well-known Korean traditional foods, originating from the Goguryeo era (a very long time ago!).
When I was young I had arthritis and was told to reduce/stop eating tomatoes, it was a challenge as my dad is Italian and made the most delicious pasta sauces!
I eat tomatoes now with no problems tho.
Vanessa
WHAT IS BULGOGI
In essence, it is Korean marinated beef. It is one of the most well-known Korean traditional foods, originating from the Goguryeo era (a very long time ago!).
When I was young I had arthritis and was told to reduce/stop eating tomatoes, it was a challenge as my dad is Italian and made the most delicious pasta sauces!
I eat tomatoes now with no problems tho.
Vanessa
Re: Tomatoes August 11, 2018 08:49AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,699 |
Thank you very much for your Bulgogi suggestion Vanessa. The name is vaguely familiar and I'm wondering if it's a recipe I've printed off the computer at some stage but haven't yet made. I will have to search through my 100's of computer printed recipes.
I do feel especially sorry for any Italian people who are unable to eat tomatoes in their diet and it is great that you are able to eat tomatoes in adulthood! Maybe I will give my hubby a little test every now and again and secretly slip a spoonful of tomato puree in his food and see what the reaction is...............but maybe I won't as next day I will possibly get the finger of blame pointed at me!
Regards,
Dawn.
I do feel especially sorry for any Italian people who are unable to eat tomatoes in their diet and it is great that you are able to eat tomatoes in adulthood! Maybe I will give my hubby a little test every now and again and secretly slip a spoonful of tomato puree in his food and see what the reaction is...............but maybe I won't as next day I will possibly get the finger of blame pointed at me!
Regards,
Dawn.
Re: Tomatoes August 14, 2018 08:37AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,332 |
I wonder what it is that causes the gout - the acid or the lycoprene - or something else?
I also wonder if cooked is different to raw? My son dislikes raw tomatoes but happily eats cooked tomatoes....quite different I know but maybe..
I sometimes use tamarillos instead of tomatoes in stews - not often - it is an expensive way of doing it though.
Let us know how you get on!!
I also wonder if cooked is different to raw? My son dislikes raw tomatoes but happily eats cooked tomatoes....quite different I know but maybe..
I sometimes use tamarillos instead of tomatoes in stews - not often - it is an expensive way of doing it though.
Let us know how you get on!!
Re: Tomatoes August 14, 2018 10:47PM |
Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 2,228 |
Re: Tomatoes August 17, 2018 12:35AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,699 |
Yes, it's a build-up of uric acid as he's enjoyed tomatoes throughout his life up until the last 3 or 4 years and then it took us a while to sort out what it was actually triggering the gout. There is medication which takes a day or so to bring relief. It mentions in the University of Otago (link attached) that tomatoes were found to be the fourth most commonly mentioned trigger, after seafood, alcohol and red meat and yet none of the latter mentioned foods/alcohol affect him.
[www.sciencedaily.com]
Cheese Lover it seems to make no difference whether the tomatoes are cooked or raw. The only question I have is wondering if acid free tomatoes could be eaten with no effect on gout but I haven't dared to try yet! BTW thanks for the suggestion of using tamarillos in stews/casseroles, another good alternative.
Our local village doesn't stock block tamarind and I haven't been near a source to get some yet, but meanwhile I did make a Prawn and Fish Curry replacing chopped tomatoes for a tablespoon of the tamarind paste (which I do have on hand) and it was extremely successful............delicious in fact! So tamarind is definitely the way to go as an alternative, with thanks TPANDAV.
Regards,
Dawn.
[www.sciencedaily.com]
Cheese Lover it seems to make no difference whether the tomatoes are cooked or raw. The only question I have is wondering if acid free tomatoes could be eaten with no effect on gout but I haven't dared to try yet! BTW thanks for the suggestion of using tamarillos in stews/casseroles, another good alternative.
Our local village doesn't stock block tamarind and I haven't been near a source to get some yet, but meanwhile I did make a Prawn and Fish Curry replacing chopped tomatoes for a tablespoon of the tamarind paste (which I do have on hand) and it was extremely successful............delicious in fact! So tamarind is definitely the way to go as an alternative, with thanks TPANDAV.
Regards,
Dawn.
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