Versatile Roasted Tomato Sauce for Indian, Italian & Wellness Cooking

🌿 Ingredients:

• 20 medium ripe red tomatoes (juicy and full of flavour)

• 10 garlic cloves, peeled

• 3 onions, roughly chopped (optional, adds depth)

• 2 bay leaves (optional)

• 2–3 green chillies (for gentle warmth)

• Salt, to taste

• Olive oil, for roasting

To naturally balance acidity (choose one):

• 3 ripe sweet pears, cored and quartered (roast with tomatoes)

• or 3 juicy peaches, pitted and quartered (roast with tomatoes)

• or ½ cup pitted dates (add while blending)

• or ½ cup dried cranberries (add while blending)

🔥 Method:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Wash and chop tomatoes into halves or quarters. Peel garlic and roughly chop onions (if using). Prepare your chosen sweet fruit like pears or peaches (if using fresh).

2. Oven roasting: Preheat oven to 180°C (fan) / 200°C (conventional).On a large baking tray, add tomatoes, garlic, onions, chillies, bay leaves, and sweet fruit (if using fresh pears or peaches) . Drizzle generously with olive oil, sprinkle salt, and toss everything well.

3. Roast for 30-40 minutes until tomatoes and fruit are soft, lightly caramelised, and aromatic.

4. Blending: Remove bay leaves and allow the mix to cool slightly. If using dried cranberries or pitted dates, add them now. Blend everything into a smooth sauce, taste and adjust the seasoning.

5. Finishing touches: Add fresh herbs and spices now, if desired, depending on the cuisine you're preparing.

🫙 Storage:

• Cool completely before storing in glass jars or containers.

• Keeps in the fridge for 5–7 days or freezes in batches for up to 3 months.

🍽️ How I Use This Sauce:

This base sauce is made intentionally neutral and natural, so I can build on it depending on the meal.

🍛 For Indian cooking:

• Add ginger, cumin, coriander powder, cinnamon or garam masala.

• Pair with lentils, vegetables or curries.

🇮🇹 For Italian dishes:

• Add basil, parsley, oregano, or thyme.

• Use in pasta, lasagna, pizza, or roasted veg.

🌮 For Mexican meals:

• Add cumin, paprika, oregano, and lime juice.

• Great in tacos, bean stews, or burritos.

• Use it as a soup with garlic bread by diluting it with water or vegetable stock.