Öncü Tomato Paste – 700 g

Thick, glossy and deep red, a good tomato paste is one of the quiet workhorses of the Turkish kitchen. This large jar from Öncü is made from ripe tomatoes slowly cooked down to a rich, concentrated paste, adding body, colour and savoury sweetness to soups, stews, sauces and pilafs.

Why Turkish Cooks Use So Much of It

In Turkey, domates salçası is far more than a flavouring for pasta sauce. A spoonful fried in butter or oil at the start of a recipe forms the base of countless everyday dishes, from lentil soup and white bean stew to stuffed peppers, köfte in sauce and bulgur pilaf. The heat caramelises the natural sugars in the tomatoes and gives the finished dish a richer, rounder taste than fresh tomatoes alone.

Every summer, many families still make their own by cooking down crates of tomatoes and drying the paste on trays in the sun. For everyone else, a reliable jar like this one delivers the same depth without the hours of work.

Richer Than Supermarket Purée

Compared with the thin tomato purée sold in many British shops, Turkish tomato paste is usually thicker and more intense, so a small amount goes a long way. It has a full, slightly sweet flavour with a pleasant acidity that brightens heavy dishes. Because it is so dense, you can thin it with a splash of water or stock to make a quick sauce, or use it neat as a rub for meat and vegetables.

Everyday Uses

• Fry a spoonful with onions to start soups, stews and sauces.
• Stir into rice or bulgur pilaf for a warm, rosy colour.
• Mix with olive oil, garlic and spices as a marinade for chicken or lamb.
• Add to the filling for stuffed peppers, courgettes and vine leaves.
• Combine with mild pepper paste for a classic Turkish sauce base.
• Spread thinly over pizza or pide dough before adding toppings.

A Simple Quick Sauce

Warm two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan, add a crushed garlic clove and a heaped spoonful of tomato paste, and stir for a minute. Add a cup of hot water, a pinch of salt and sugar, and simmer for five minutes. Pour over köfte, pasta or roasted vegetables for an easy weeknight meal.

How to Store It Properly

Tomato paste, like pepper paste, should be kept cold and away from air once opened. Store the jar in the fridge, always use a clean, dry spoon and smooth the surface after each use. A thin layer of olive oil over the top acts as a seal and helps prevent mould forming, since moisture is the main cause of spoilage in pastes. If you only use a little at a time, you can also freeze spoonfuls on a tray and keep them in a bag for later.

Please check the label for the best before date and full allergen information.

Order Online From Robin Food

Robin Food delivers Turkish pantry essentials across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London areas. Pair it with our mild pepper paste, red split lentils and baldo rice.