Ingredients
Cooking a delicious tomato stew requires the right ingredients. You’ll need:
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chicken broth
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Butter
These ingredients will ensure that your tomato stew has the right flavor and texture. Let’s go through the list of ingredients and see how to prepare the stew.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an extremely versatile ingredient that can add a wide variety of flavors and tastes to your dishes. Depending on the type of tomatoes you have, you can use them in various ways. For example, while Roma or cherry tomatoes are great in salads and sandwiches, beefsteak tomatoes are better for sauces, soups and stews.
When making a tomato stew, it’s important to choose the right type of tomato for the dish. Roma or beefsteak tomatoes work best for a tomato stew since they contain less liquid and their taste is richer when cooked. Additionally, depending on your preference, you can also add different types of tomatoes to create different tastes and textures.
Another important factor is how ripe the tomatoes that you select should be. Over-ripe or under-ripe tomatoes will not produce the desired results for a tomato stew since their texture does not hold up well under longer cooking times. To get the tastiest tomato stew possible make sure to choose slightly firm and ripe tomatoes with even coloring – avoiding bruised or wrinkled skins – as these will lend a sweet taste with slightly firm texture when cooked in your stew.
Onion
Onions are an essential ingredient in tomato stew, adding sweetness and depth of flavour to the dish. When selecting onions for this recipe, look for ones that are fresh and firm with no visible signs of mold or blemishes. Make sure that all the outer layers of skin have been removed before slicing them as thinly as possible. You may also need to add aromatics such as garlic or spices like bay leaves, depending on your recipe.
Onions should be sautéed with oil until they are soft and lightly golden before adding any other ingredients to the pot. This step is essential to creating a flavorful base that will bring out the best in all of the tomato stew’s ingredients.
Garlic
Garlic is a key ingredient in tomato stew and adds a distinctive and delicious flavor to the dish. When cooking with garlic, it’s important to remember that the smaller you cut or mince, the stronger its flavor will be. For tomato stew, start by chopping or crushing one large clove of garlic.
Garlic is rich in many beneficial vitamins and minerals including vitamins B6 and C as well as selenium, potassium and manganese so adding it to your dish can make it a healthier meal option. To ensure that your garlic is at its most flavorful, try to use fresh garlic when possible. If pressed for time, you can substitute pre-minced garlic from a jar or bottle. When measuring pre-minced garlic from a jar, you should use two teaspoons for every clove of fresh garlic to get the same robust flavor for your tomato stew.
Add the minced garlic to the simmering tomato mixture towards the end of cooking in order for all of its flavor to be captured but not burned away during your cooking process. Enjoy!
Carrots
Carrots are an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, making them a necessary ingredient in any well-rounded dish. When adding carrots to a tomato stew, it’s best to cut them into 3/4 inch chunks before adding them to the pot. Carrots have a sweet taste, which will add a nice contrast and balance to the stew.
When preparing a tomato stew, allow the carrots to simmer in the pot for at least fifteen minutes before serving so they become tender and juicy. This will ensure that you get the most flavor from these natural-sweet vegetables.
Green pepper
Green pepper, also known as bell pepper, is an essential ingredient in several dishes, especially tomato stew. It has a sweet yet sharp flavor with a hint of bitterness and is usually the first to be sautéed when cooking tomato stew. It adds texture and color to the dish which can be further enhanced by adding a variety of other vegetables such as onions, celery, carrots and garlic. This type of pepper also stores vitamins A and C which helps retain the nutritional properties of the dish.
It is important to note that green peppers should be cooked on low heat as it can get easily burned on high heat. Add it at the beginning of your recipe when you start making your tomato stew and you will be sure to have a delicious result!
Olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is the key to making a flavorful and rich tomato stew. This type of olive oil has a much higher quality than its regular counterpart and usually has a stronger, more complex taste. For tomato stew, extra virgin olive oil gives your dish a wonderfully savory aroma and adds body to the sauce.
When cooking tomato stew with extra virgin olive oil, it’s best to heat the oil first before adding any other ingredients. This will allow you to infuse the savory flavor of the oil into each ingredient as you add them in one-by-one. When sautéing vegetables for your tomato stew, be sure not to let your olive oil burn or smoke – this will result in an unpleasant taste.
Preparation
Preparing tomato stew is relatively easy and can be done in no time. Before you begin cooking, it is important to make sure that you have all the ingredients and necessary kitchen tools ready. After everything is set, the first step is to prepare the vegetables and the meat that will be used to make the stew.
Once everything is ready, you can move on to the next step which is to cook the stew.
Peel and chop the onion
To peel and chop an onion for tomato stew, begin by cutting off the woody root end of the onion. Peel off the skin and discard. Holding the onion firmly in one hand, make multiple vertical cuts through the root end. Use your other hand to keep your fingers safe as you cut downwards. Once you have a number of longitudinal slices, make horizontal cuts along them to produce diced pieces of onion. When finished chopping, transfer the diced onion to a bowl or dish until ready to add them to your recipe.
Tomatoes, garlic and other vegetables will likely need similar peeling and chopping preparation before being added to this stew.
Mince the garlic
Before you can begin to cook a delicious tomato stew, the first step is to mince the garlic. Mince the garlic using a sharp knife. Peel off the skin of each clove of garlic and slice it into thin pieces as finely as possible. Alternatively, you can use a garlic press to extract all of the flavor from each clove.
Stir-fry or sauté these pieces in a bit of oil for about one minute to infuse their flavor into the stew before adding other ingredients. This aromatizing process will give your tomato stew an amazing depth of flavor that your taste buds will truly appreciate!
Peel and chop the carrots
When you prepare tomato stew, it’s important to properly peel and chop the carrots. Prepare your vegetables before beginning the cooking process. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outer layer of skin from each carrot, then rinse them with cold water.
Cut the peeled carrots into round strips or chopped pieces that are nearly uniform in size. This will ensure even cooking and a delicious result. Once your carrots are ready, you can add them to the pan with other ingredients for tomato stew.
Cut the green pepper into small cubes
Cut the green pepper into small cubes, about half an inch square. Remove any seeds and inner membranes, as they can make the stew taste bitter. If you are using a bell pepper, be sure to slice the pepper vertically along its length. This will help ensure that you have the desired cube shape once all of the slices are diced into cubes. Once finished, set aside.
Heat a large pot with the olive oil
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onions and let them cook for about 8 minutes until softened.
Next, add the garlic and let it cook for about a minute or until fragrant. Once combined, add the diced tomatoes with all of their juices, tomato paste concentrate and stir everything together. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes on low heat stirring occasionally.
Now it’s time to add the two cans of beans (rinsed and drained) as well as any other additional ingredients you might like such as:
- Fresh herbs like oregano, thyme or basil;
- Seasonings such as cumin, paprika and peppers;
- Diced carrots, bell pepper, corn or mushrooms;
- Chicken broth or vegetable broth if desired;
- or some vegan Worcestershire sauce to give it an even richer flavor.
Stir everything together in order to combine all ingredients. (optional) Once combined cover pot with lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally until tomatoes are soft and all flavors have combined.
Adjust salt according to taste and enjoy!
Add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent
In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the olive oil and onion. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the tomato paste and diced tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
Cooking
Cooking can be a fun, rewarding experience if you have the right ingredients and the right approach. Tomato stew is a classic dish that is easy to make and full of delicious flavour. In this section, we will go over the basics of making a tomato stew and discuss some tips and tricks to ensure that it turns out just right.
Add the carrots and green pepper to the pot
Take the carrots and green pepper that were cut into small pieces, and add them to the pot. Stir the vegetables carefully so that everything is combined together. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes until all of the vegetables are soft and cooked through. Continue to stir occasionally for even cooking results.
Once all of the vegetables are cooked, taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper if desired.
Add the tomatoes and stir everything together
Once your vegetables have all been chopped and diced, add the tomatoes to the pot. Stir everything together to combine all the flavors. Depending on how much liquid you used previously, you may need to add a little more water or stock in order to keep all of the ingredients submerged.
Allow everything to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will give the flavors time to mingle while cooking down and softening up your tomatoes until they become a thick and flavorful stew-like consistency. You may find that you need a bit more vegetable stock based on individual taste preferences; just keep tasting as you go along until it’s seasoned to perfection!
Simmer for 10-15 minutes
Simmer your tomato stew for 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce the heat so that the stew simmers gently without boiling. By simmering, the flavors of the ingredients blend together and become more concentrated with each passing minute while cooking. Simmering also helps to dissolve gelatin from bones, connective tissue and skin of tougher cuts of meats, giving your stew a thicker gelatinous texture.
During simmering, tomatoes release their natural pectins which helps to thicken the liquid as well. Use a spoon to skim off any foam or excess fat that rises to the surface of your stew during this time.
Serving
When it comes to cooking tomato stew, the serving options are practically endless. It can easily be served as a main course, or as a side dish for rice, chapati, potatoes or other starches. You can also add different ingredients like beans, chicken, beef or even fish to make it more interesting.
Let’s look at the different ways to serve tomato stew:
- As a main course.
- As a side dish for rice, chapati, potatoes or other starches.
- With beans.
- With chicken.
- With beef.
- With fish.
Serve with fresh bread or rice
Tomato stew is a delicious and versatile dish that goes well with a range of accompaniments. To ensure you get the fullest flavor, it’s important to serve this cooked tomato dish with something that complements the acidic, sweet and sometimes spicy characteristics of Caribbean-style tomato stew.
Freshly baked bread, whether it’s white, whole-grain or brioche, makes an excellent side item for this hearty meal. Slice some fresh loaves of warm, crusty bread to dip into the rich tomato stew. If you would prefer a carbohydrate option such as rice or potatoes, these also lend themselves nicely to this traditional Caribbean recipe.
- Boil white jasmine or basmati rice in stock or coconut milk until it has a soft consistency and is fragrant – serve this colorful dish on a bed of fluffy aromatic rice.
- Alternatively, cook buttery mashed potatoes for a heartier side option – for extra color add finely sliced chives as an upbeat finishing touch.
No matter which accompaniment you choose to accompany your freshly cooked tomato stew – enjoy every mouthful!
Garnish with fresh parsley or basil
After the stew has been simmering on the stove for an hour or two, it’s time to finish the dish! For a classic presentation, consider garnishing your stew with fresh herbs such as parsley or basil. This will not only add a refreshing layer of flavor, but also a vibrant contrast in color that makes the dish look even more inviting.
Adding herbs at the end of cooking will keep them fresh and flavorful. Begin by plucking individual leaves off stems – be sure to discard any damaged or wilted leaves – then wash and dry them thoroughly. If you’d like to further enhance the texture, you can mince or chiffonade these herbs before sprinkling over top of your stew. The addition of freshly cut herbs will instantly make your tomato stew look and taste even more appetizing!
Enjoy!
Now you know how to make a delicious tomato stew that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. Serve it up with some crusty bread and enjoy!
Your stew is a great option for a quick, healthy meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. You can also prepare it in advance, allowing the flavors to deepen and intensify over time. Enjoy!