Tomatoes

Tomato / jitomate

Flavor and role

Combining sweetness, acidity and umami, they are the basis of sauces and salads. The riper, the more intense the flavor.

Typical dishes and uses

Tabbouleh, ratatouille, jollof rice, menemen and shakshuka, salsa, paella (grated tomato).

Substitutes

400 g fresh tomatoes = 1 can (400 g) whole peeled tomatoes. If the flavor is weak, add 1 tsp tomato paste.

Storage

Ripen underripe tomatoes at room temperature. Ripe ones keep 2-3 days at room temperature; refrigeration dulls the flavor, so take them out before eating.

Main countries

Italy · Mexico · Türkiye

Used in this book

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)Seafood PaellaRatatouilleMoussakaMenemen (Turkish Tomato Scrambled Eggs)Tacos with GuacamoleLasagna SoupJollof RiceBolognese (Ragù alla Bolognese)Strogonoff de Frango (Brazilian Chicken Stroganoff)Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry (番茄炒蛋)Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)SouvlakiTabboulehBandeja PaisaBirria Tacos with ConsoméBouillabaisseBruschetta al PomodoroBunny Chow (Durban Chicken Curry in a Loaf)Carne Asada BurritoCampfire Skillet NachosChana MasalaChicken KarahiChicken Machboos (Emirati Spiced Chicken and Rice)Chicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás)Chicken Tikka MasalaChilaquiles RojosChili con CarneCơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)Dal Tadka (Tempered Yellow Lentils)Chicken Enchiladas RojasFalafelFattoushFul MedamesAndalusian GazpachoPotato Gnocchi with Tomato and BasilHungarian Goulash SoupGreek salad (horiatiki)Classic GuacamolePork Gyros PitaHariraİmam BayıldıJambalayaChicken KabsaIzgara köfteKoshariLahmacunLasagne alla BologneseLomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef and Fries Stir-Fry)Margherita PizzaMinestroneNepali Chicken Momo with Tomato AcharMoqueca baianaSeven-Vegetable CouscousNyama Choma (Kenyan Grilled Meat with Kachumbari)Palak Paneer (Spinach with Indian Cheese)PastitsioPav BhajiPicanha Churrasco (Brazilian Skewered Picanha)Cheese QuesadillasSabichShakshukaChicken ShawarmaSinigang na Baboy (Pork Tamarind Sour Soup)Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)Sri Lankan Chicken Curry (Kukul Mas Curry)SuyaTom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup)Albóndigas Bravas TraybakeBandeja Paisa de Lujo with Carne en Polvo and Meaty ChicharrónBandeja Paisa Burrito with Hogao Salsa (Colombian × Mexican)Bandeja Paisa Loaded Fries with Avocado CremaBone Broth Red-Braised Beef Noodle SoupRed-Braised Beef Rice BowlShort Rib and Shank Quesabirria TacosBirria Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggBirria Grilled Cheese with Consomé DipBobotie LasagneRagù alla Bolognese with Handmade Egg TagliatelleMiso Bolognese UdonBolognese Cheese-Pull ToastieMarseille Bouillabaisse with Rockfish Broth and Potato RouilleKorean Haemul-tang Bouillabaisse with Gochujang RouilleOne-Pan Bouillabaisse Orzo with Saffron AioliHeirloom Tomato Bruschetta with Garlic Confit and BurrataPico de Gallo and Avocado BruschettaBruschetta Pull-Apart Cheese BreadBudae-jjigae Rosé PenneDurban Lamb Bunny with Fresh-Ground MasalaCrispy Rice Burrito BowlTandoor-Style Murgh MakhaniButter Chicken RigatoniChorizo and Crispy Potato Breakfast Burrito with Charred JalapeñoCarne Asada Nachos with Fire-Charred SalsaChorizo Chili Walking NachosShrimp Ceviche Tostadas with Avocado CremaPindi CholeChana Masala ShakshukaDesi Ghee Chicken Karahi with Charcoal SmokeChicken Karahi TacosKarahi Chicken Cheese Naan MeltRoyal Chicken Machboos with Saffron Rice, Daqoos and Crispy OnionsBlack Lime Chicken Machboos Paella (Emirati x Spanish)Charcoal-Skewered Chicken Tikka MasalaChicken Tikka Masala Cheesy Baked RiceGuajillo-Ancho Chicken Chilaquiles with Crispy Fried EggKimchi-Gochujang Chilaquiles with Melted MozzarellaGochujang Kimchi ChiliChili Mac and Cheese BakeHidalgo-Style Chicken Tinga Paste (Mexican Cornish Pasty)Apple Curry Sauce Currywurst with Double-Fried PommesDhaba-Style Double Tadka Dal with Coal SmokeTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Three-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasButter Chicken EnchiladasFava and Chickpea Falafel with Parsley Tarator and Sumac OnionsBaked Falafel Crunch BowlRestaurant-style fattoush with za'atar pita crisps and pomegranateMexican-style fattoush with tortilla crisps and avocadoLabneh fattoush toastZa'atar, Feta and Cherry Tomato FocacciaSlow-Simmered Ful with Tahini and Garlic TashaFul Medames Huevos RancherosWhipped Ful & Tahini Toast with Za'atarCrispy Gambas Rice SkilletMacerated Gazpacho with Garlic CroutonsMexican-Style Jalapeño-Lime GazpachoGazpacho Granita Tomato & Burrata SaladBeef Shin Goulash with CsipetkeGochujang Goulash with Korean Rice CakesMarinated-feta horiatiki with tomato-water dressingHoriatiki-fattoush with za'atar fetaWhipped feta horiatiki toastGreen Curry Shrimp Spaghetti (Thai-Italian)Fire-Charred Guacamole with Homemade TotoposItalian Tomato-Mozzarella Gyeran-jjimStacked Gyros Loaf with Sumac Onions and Dill TzatzikiSheet-Pan Gyros Nachos with Pita Chips and Whipped FetaSaffron Lamb Harira with Egg RibbonsChicken Harira Tortilla SoupCrispy Chickpea Hummus Toast with Jammy EggTiffin-House Idli with Fresh-Roasted SambarOven-Braised İmam Bayıldı with Slow-Cooked Onionsİmam Bayıldı Feta Galette with Chilli HoneySmoky Party Jollof with Crispy Spiced ChickenChorizo and Prawn Jollof PaellaCheesy Jollof Stuffed PeppersLamb Kabsa with Toasted Spices and DaqqusKabsa Chicken PaellaKabsa Arancini with Daqqus DipChicken Katsu Parmigiana Donİskender köfteSmash köfte burgerCairo Shop-Style Koshari with ShattaKhichdi-Style Koshari with Ghee TadkaCrispy Koshari Bites with Daqqa Tomato Dip24-hour cold-proved lamb lahmacunCrispy lahmacun bulgur bowlPrawn Laksa SpaghettiRed Wine Ragù Lasagna Soup with Lemon Basil RicottaGochujang Rosé Lasagna SoupBubbling Lasagna Dip with Garlic BaguetteLasagne Verdi with Homemade Spinach PastaKimchi Bulgogi LasagnaCrispy Lasagna CupsPisco-Flambéed Tenderloin Lomo Saltado with Double-Fried PotatoesLomo Saltado Burrito with Ají Amarillo CremaLomo Saltado Loaded Fries with Huancaína Sauce24-Hour Neapolitan-Style MargheritaGochujang & Perilla Margherita Pan PizzaMargherita Pull-Apart Pizza RollsBrown Butter Pul Biber MenemenMenemen Breakfast TacosMenemen Egg BoatsMexican-Style Torta de MilanesaOven-Crisp Milanesa a Caballo Rice BowlMiso Tomato MinestroneRoasted Minestrone Salad BowlBerbere Lentil Ragù RigatoniJuicy Pork Jhol MomoFish and prawn moqueca with pirãoThai red curry moqueca with lemongrassShrimp moqueca rice bowl with dendê farofaLamb Seven-Vegetable Couscous with TfayaRoasted Vegetable Couscous Bowl with Whipped FetaLamb Moussaka with Pecorino BéchamelMoussaka Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Gazpacho Tomato NaengmyeonNasi Goreng Spesial with Prawns and Crispy ShallotsDry-Brined Goat Nyama Choma with Charred Pili-Pili and Sukuma WikiNyama Choma Gua Bao with Kachumbari Slaw and Pili-Pili Mayo (Kenyan x Taiwanese)Crispy Ugali Fries with Nyama Choma BitesKra Pao Garlic-Butter SpaghettiPrawn-Head Stock Paella with AllioliSeared Paneer Palak with Garlic TadkaPastitsio with Slow-Simmered Beef and Pork Ragù and Bay-Infused BéchamelKeema Pastitsio with Garam Masala BéchamelPastitsio Melt Toast with Cinnamon Beef and Béchamel CrustMumbai Tawa Butter Pav BhajiPav Bhaji Cheese QuesadillasPav Bhaji Cheesy Pull-Apart BunsPesto Eggs on Lemon-Ricotta ToastPicanha Ssam with Kimchi Vinagrete and Honey SsamjangPicanha Cheese Steak Sandwich with Green MayoHandmade Corn Tortilla Mushroom Quesadillas with Charred SalsaTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsConfit Byaldi (Spiral Ratatouille)Ratatouille ShakshukaRatatouille Cheese Melt ToastOven-Braised Ropa Vieja with MadurosSabich with Haminados Eggs and ZhugSabich Deviled EggsGochujang Pork Belly Tacos with Kimchi SalsaSamosa ToastieScallion Pancake QuesadillaCheddar Scone Breakfast SandwichTom Yum Shabu-ShabuCold Shabu Salad Bowl with Sesame PonzuCharred Pepper and Merguez Shakshuka, Oven-BakedKimchi Gochujang ShakshukaHarissa Shakshuka Fried Rice with Crispy EggTower-Roast Chicken Shawarma with ToumShawarma Loaded FriesKeema Shepherd's Pie with Bombay MashClear-Broth Pork Rib Sinigang with Fresh Tamarind ExtractSinigang Ramen with Seared Pork BellyStjerneskud (Danish 'Shooting Star' Smørrebrød)Tam Thai with Grilled PrawnsSom Tam Chicken TacosPork Neck Souvlaki with Homemade Yogurt FlatbreadSouvlaki Loaded FriesCharcoal Suya with Hand-Toasted Yaji and Tomato RelishSuya Steak Crunch Salad with Peanut-Lime DressingTabbouleh with Tomato-Water Dressing and PomegranateMexican Street-Corn TabboulehCrispy Tabbouleh Fritters with Garlic YogurtCrispy Smash TacosTeriyaki Chicken BurgerRestaurant-Style Thieboudienne with Fish Stock and NététouRof Salmon Tomato Takikomi Gohan (Senegalese x Japanese)Tom Yum Shrimp Cream SpaghettiCrispy Tom Yum Fried Rice with Jammy EggRestaurant-Style Tomato and Egg with Shaoxing WineTomato and Egg Spaghetti (Chinese meets Italian)Tomato Jam Scrambled Egg Brunch ToastTonkatsu ParmigianaCrispy Tofu-Pouch Udon Salad Bowl

Updated 2026-10-10