Tomato juice

Recipe for Fresh Tomato Juice

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Servings: Approximately 10 liters of tomato juice

Tomato juice is an essential ingredient in many recipes, being not only healthy but also full of flavor. This simple and quick recipe will help you prepare a delicious tomato juice, ideal for enriching your dishes or using as a base for soups and sauces. Here’s how to achieve perfect tomato juice!

### Ingredients

- 10 kg of ripe tomatoes (preferably Romanian tomatoes, due to their intense flavors)
- Salt (optional, according to taste)

### Instructions

1. Preparing the tomatoes: Start by washing the tomatoes well under a stream of cold water to remove any impurities or pesticides. Make sure they are fresh and free of blemishes. Then, remove the stem from each tomato. If you want a more refined tomato juice, you can peel them, but this is optional.

2. Juicing the tomatoes: To obtain high-quality tomato juice, I recommend using a tomato juicer. This machine will extract the maximum from each tomato, leaving the seeds and skin behind. If you don’t have such a machine, you can use a juicer, but it will require more time and effort to separate the pulp from the juice.

3. Cooking the juice: Once you have obtained the juice, pour it into a large pot and place it over medium heat. Let it simmer for about 1-2 hours. This process will concentrate the flavors and reduce acidity. Don’t forget to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Seasoning (optional): If desired, you can add salt during cooking to enhance the flavor. Personally, I suggest adding salt at the end, after tasting the juice, to avoid over-salting.

5. Bottling: Once the juice has reached the desired consistency, let it cool slightly. You can pour it into sterilized bottles, ensuring they are sealed well to prevent contamination. It can be stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks or in the freezer for longer preservation.

### Practical Tips

- Choosing tomatoes: Summer, ripe tomatoes are the best for juice. Look for varieties with few seeds and meaty pulp, such as Roma tomatoes.
- Variations: You can add herbs like basil or oregano during cooking for a more complex flavor. You can also experiment with adding peppers or onions to create a richer tomato juice.
- Serving: Tomato juice can be enjoyed plain but also as a base for various sauces or soups. I recommend using it to make a tomato soup with crunchy croutons or as a base for a flavorful pasta sauce.

Now that you have this simple and quick recipe, you are ready to make your own tomato juice! The fresh and rich taste will surely make a difference in your culinary creations. Enjoy every drop and savor the flavors of summer even in the cold months!