Tinned Tomatoes

Uncle_Max

Anyone found a make of tinned tomatoes that didn't cost the earth or consist of a few chunks in a lot of red water?

I eat a lot of pasta and I'm trying to use more tomato-based sauces before my arteries clog altogether. The price varies wildly and the consistency is sometime appalling.

Anybody found a reasonably cost-effective and reliable brand?

M

torbrex

I use the ones from Lidl and I have no cause for complaint about price or quality.

Uncle_Max

Alas, there isn't a Lidl within 30 miles

santer_2

I go for the smart price types

http://www.supermarketownbrandguide.co.uk/search.php?SearchString=tinned+tomatoes&Search.x=31&Search.y=24&score=8%2B&price=0&pricevalue=0.00&aldi=1&asda=1&coop=1&lidl=1&marks=1&morrisons=1&sainsburys=1&tesco=1&waitrose=1&branded=1&tastingnote=1

Swan_2

if you've got access to Costco or know someone with a card, their Valfrutta tomatoes are excellent & work out at about 33p a tin, you need to buy a dozen at a time though

Edwardia

ASDA passata isn't too bad

shazz5555

Look in the local Asian shops, usually around 39p, same in Tesco can be 69p

Stephen_Leak

I use ASDA SmartPrice ones at 31p and find them fine.

For a general purpose tomato pasta sauce, try this. The little tin of tomato puree adds flavour and thickens the sauce, so it doesn't need to be reduced down so far. And, at 25p its cheaper than a second tin of tomatoes.

TOMATO PASTA SAUCE

Enough for pasta for 2

INGREDIENTS

2 cloves of garlic
2 onions
1 tablespoon of olive oil
400g tin of plum tomatoes
140g tin of tomato puree
2 teaspoons of mixed herbs

METHOD

Peel the garlic and chop it into tiny pieces. Peel the onions and chop them into tiny pieces.

Put the oil into a frying pan on a medium heat. Add the garlic and onion. Fry the garlic and onion for about 4 to 5 minutes until the onion is soft. Stir frequently to stop it sticking.

Open the tin of tomatoes. Put the juice into the pan. Chop the tomatoes while they are still in the can (it’s easier than chasing them around the pan). Put the chopped tomatoes into the pan.

Add the tomato puree and herbs. Stir thoroughly.

Continue to cook, stirring as the mixture boils, until the sauce has reduced.

ADDITIONS & ALTERNATIVES

Use basil instead of the mixed herbs.

Add a glass of wine and cook for a bit longer. Or drink the glass of wine and cook for the same time.

Add ¼ of a teaspoon of chilli powder to make it into Arrabbiata sauce.

This sauce can also be blended and used as a pizza topping.

TIPS

Plum tomatoes can be used either whole or chopped. It is difficult to stick chopped tomatoes back together again if you need to use them whole.

PenguinOfDeath

I get the KTC brand from the Asian aisle in Asda, definitely under 40p a tin.

rachbc

Aldi - same price as value brands but the taste and texture of napoli

shellsuit

I buy Napolina when they are on offer, or Aldi's luxury tinned plum tomatoes, which are just the same I find. I think they are 45p a tin.