Using Canned Tomatoes in Global Food

Using Canned Tomatoes in Global Food

From curries to pizza, here’s how you can use canned tomatoes in global food to explore different cuisines.

In the colorful mosaic of global cuisines, certain ingredients transcend borders, weaving themselves seamlessly into the fabric of culinary traditions around the world. Among these culinary ambassadors, canned tomatoes stand out as a shining example of how a humble pantry staple has become an indispensable cornerstone of diverse culinary heritages. Here’s how you can use canned tomatoes in the kitchen to explore different global cuisines. 

  • Easy Chicken Curry: Inspired by the flavors of Southeast Asia, this recipe is one your whole family will enjoy. Thanks to ingredients you probably already have on hand (such as canned tomatoes, frozen chicken, and coconut milk), you can whip up this quick and easy main dish in no time at all!
  • Riccardo’s Old World Sauce: Elevate your pasta game with Riccardo’s Old World Sauce – i.e. a delicious homemade pasta sauce. Inspired by Italian cuisine, this sauce brings a burst of homemade goodness to your plate.
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup: So much flavor in under 45 minutes! Canned tomatoes, juicy chicken, crisp corn, black beans and classic Mexican spices are all present in this warm and savory tortilla soup. 
  • Shakshuka Pita Pizzas: Combining flavors from Italy and the Middle East, this vegetarian dish is a complete meal thanks to the protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—making it a well-balanced dinner that your whole family will love.
  • Lentil Walnut Bolognese with Spaghetti: Tomato products provide just the right amount of pizzazz to pasta recipes, such as this hearty, plant-based Lentil Walnut Bolognese with Spaghetti dish. 
  • Easy Gazpacho: This cool, classic Spanish style soup is delicious even on the hottest of days. Packed with the vibrant flavors of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and herbs, it’s a wonderful appetizer or veggie-rich meal accompaniment. 
  • California Walnut Salsa: This nutritious California Walnut Salsa recipe is not only packed with flavor, but it can be prepared in under 10 minutes. 

Learn more about the health benefits of canned tomatoes in this article.

Shakshuka

Shakshuka

Take your breakfast game to the next level with this ethnic Shakshuka recipe. Filled with warm spices, hearty tomatoes, and gooey eggs, this is sure to become your favorite weekend breakfast. #KitchenTravel

Eating the same things for breakfast everyday can get monotonous, so spice things up with this ethic recipe for Shakshuka. This vegetarian dish contains high levels of protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, which makes it a well-balanced breakfast to start your day off right. Plus, you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes! Whether you serve it for brunch, a special occasion, or even on a weekday, it’s a recipe that everyone is sure to love.

What makes shakshuka so delicious (and nutritious) is the combination of eggs and the tomato base. Eggs add a heafy dose of protein, while the canned tomatoes provide a plethora of antioxidants (such as lycopene) that play an integral role in the reduction of certain types of diseases and cancers. In fact, numerous studies have linked lycopene consumption with prostate cancer protection. While lycopene is present in other fruits such as watermelon and pink grapefruit, tomatoes, which are the second most consumed vegetable (second to potatoes) in the U.S., account for more than 85% of the lycopene in the American diet. Interestingly, cooked tomato products—as in processed tomatoes, including tomato sauce and canned tomatoes—may hold particular significance. The lycopene from cooked and processed tomatoes is more bioavailable than that of fresh tomatoes. Heating or processing breaks down the tomato cell matrix and promotes isomerization of lycopene from all-trans isomers to the more bioavailable form of cis-isomers. Research shows that single daily servings of processed tomato products produce significant increases of lycopene concentrations in blood and buccal mucosal cells in healthy adults.

So, go ahead and enjoy this recipe for Shakshuka over the weekend! Your body and taste buds will thank you.

Yield: 6 servings

Shakshuka

Take your breakfast game to the next level with this ethnic Shakshuka recipe. Filled with warm spices, hearty tomatoes, and gooey eggs, this is sure to become your favorite weekend breakfast. #KitchenTravel

Cook Time 10 minutes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • ¼ tsp. chili powder
  • 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 6 large eggs
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 small bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small bunch parsley, chopped

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
    2. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add in the onion and bell pepper. Sauté until the onion turns translucent. 
    3. Mix in the garlic, paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute.
    4. Add the tomatoes into the pan. Use a spoon to break down the tomatoes then season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
    5. Use a spoon to make 6 small wells in the sauce. Crack an egg into each well. Transfer to the oven and bake for 5-8 minutes, until the whites have set and the yolk is still jiggly. 
    6. Garnish with the chopped cilantro and parsley. Enjoy!

If you’re looking for other delicious breakfast recipes, check out some of our favorites:

Zesty Tomato Smoothie
Breakfast Egg Bake
Muhammara Walnut Shakshuka

Shakshuka Pita Pizzas

Shakshuka Pita Pizzas

Do you love Shakshuka? Then you’re sure to fall head over heels for these Shakshuka Pita Pizzas. These personal pizzas are topped with fresh spinach, eggs, feta cheese, and–of course–the classic melty egg. With flavors like this, what’s not to love? Plus, this vegetarian dish is a complete meal thanks to the protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—making it a well-balanced dinner that your whole family will love. It also includes a bounty of lycopene from the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.

There are many delicious components to this dish, but the canned tomato products are some of the main stand-out ingredients, as they are easy-to-use and contribute to the classic Shakshuka flavors. Plus they are also great for your health! Canned tomatoes have a plethora of antioxidants that play an integral role in the reduction of certain types of diseases and cancers. They are also great if you’re looking to increase your intake of vegetables that have the potential to boost your overall health.

Get the full recipe for Shakshuka Pita Pizzas from Ellie Krieger, RDN.

 

Muhammara Walnut Shakshuka

Muhammara Walnut Shakshuka

Do you feel stuck in a breakfast rut? Eating the same things for breakfast everyday can get monotonous, so if you love recipes that are packed with a combination of delicious ingredients and seasonings, try this ethnic Muhammara Walnut Shakshuka breakfast dish. This vegetarian dish contains high levels of protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—making it a well-balanced breakfast to start your day off right. Plus, you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes! This meal guarantees that you will have the energy and motivation to achieve your goals for the day.

One of the stars in this Muhammara Walnut Shakshuka is the canned tomato products, as they are easy-to-use and add a juicy touch to the entire plate. Not only do canned tomatoes taste delicious in various recipes, but they are also great for your health! The combination of ingredients found in this recipe make it easy for you to acquire the recommended amount of nutrients for breakfast. When you consume a meal that contains something from every healthy food group (such as protein, vegetables, and healthy fats), you feel better and more productive throughout the day. Plus, canned tomatoes have a plethora of antioxidants that play an integral role in the reduction of certain types of diseases and cancers. They are also great if you’re looking to increase your intake of vegetables that have the potential to boost your overall health.

Get the full recipe for Muhammara Walnut Shakshuka by visiting our friends at California Walnuts.

If you’re looking for other delicious breakfast recipes, check out some of our favorites:

Zesty Tomato Smoothie
Breakfast Egg Bake