When I get down to the last can of tomatoes in the cupboard, I start to feel a little panicky. So many of my standby weeknight meals start with popping open a can and pouring the contents into a warm saucepan. You, too? What's your favorite brand?
As much as I would love a pantry filled with jars of home-canned summer tomatoes, the reality is that I depend on cans from the grocery store. I always have a few cans of diced tomatoes, which are the start of everything from my favorite weeknight pasta sauce to a big batch of chili. I also keep at least one can of fire-roasted tomatoes for when I want a smoky flavor in the dish and one can of puréed tomatoes for when I make thinner sauces for pizzas and lasagnas.
For my diced tomatoes, my preference is for Trader Joe's organic brand. I find these tomatoes to be dependably flavorful and tender. The pieces hold their shape during cooking but also mash easily if I want a smoother consistency. Muir Glen makes an outstanding fire-roasted tomato, the only one I've tried that actually tastes roasted instead of strangely artificial. I'm not picky about puréed tomatoes and tend to pick up whatever is available when I happen to be shopping for it.
Here are some easy dinner recipes that start with a can of tomatoes:
• Cream of Tomato Soup • Tomato and White Bean Panade • No-Boil Chicken & Tomato Pasta Bake • Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili • Quick Tomato Sauce with Pasta
What brand of canned tomatoes do you use?
Related: Real Tomato Power: Tomato Paste
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We don't used canned anymore because of BPA concerns (see this Prevention article):
http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/7-foods-should-never-cross-your-lips
We buy boxed or use fresh when in season.
I try to buy whole tomatoes as I heard companies are using inferior quality tomatoes when making other forms of canned tomatoes. A lot of good brands use cans without the plastic lining so i assume I don't have to worry about BPA with those brands.
Pomi--tastes amazingly fresh
Agree! Pomi strained tomatoes are excellent. I always have a few cartons on hand.
Are there any new updates on the BPA situation or do all the canned tomato companies continue as always? I really miss canned tomatoes, since I heard about BPA, I stopped using them, but tetra-pack tomatoes just don't taste as good
Pomi for me! And the boxes fit on my pantry shelf so much better than cans.
I've always liked Pomi too, and try to remember to stock up if I catch them on sale. A couple years ago Trader Joe's had a similar product, crushed tomatoes in a carton rather than a can. Or maybe it was called "starter sauce" and just had minimal seasonings too? I really liked the carton packaging, but of course they discontinued them. : (
Muir Glen no longer uses BPA in their cans, so I've switched to using them instead of most other brands. And I love the taste, so it's a win-win!
chicagocook, I hadn't heard that, but assuming you're correct, that solves a lot of my weekly preserved tomato grief; Muir Glen aren't the cheapest, but they're much cheaper than the other alternatives without BPA.
I tend to stick to TetraPack-ed or glass packaged tomatoes; Eden Organics (which uses no BPA in any of their canned products) does glass, but I think they may also do some canned ones. Every now and then though, I put my future health on the line for a can of San Marzano tomatoes. Sigh.
Love that Pomi.
I only use San Marzano tomatoes and my preferred brand is La Valle. They are just so much better than anything else out there, organic or otherwise.
I stick with Red Gold products. Their headquarters are close to my hometown in Madison County, IN and the area has been hit hard with factory closings and high unemployment. I try to support their businesses even though I moved away 20 years ago. Also, their diced tomatoes are quite tasty!
I only buy tomatoes or passatta available in glass because of the BPA problem. (yes, I know that the lid is usually coated with BPA as well, but it is a very small area)
If I could find a great source of tomatoes, I'd can my own.
@Alicelost: my grocery store sells san marzano tomatoes in glass; it's actually a grocery store brand (expensive, but it exists).
Oh how I miss canned tomatoes!! I've had to completely revamp the way I cook since I started avoiding them due to the BPA concerns.
I can get the Pomi brand, but they are so much more money.
Hunts Fire Roasted in the can - try them
I can my own. When I run out of my own, I buy Muir Glen.