Though supermarket shelves overflow with tomatoes year-round, nothing will replace the aroma and flavor of a tomato grown in Lithuania.
Many are unaware that there are over 10,000 different varieties of tomatoes. Perhaps a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to taste them all! It’s safe to say that no matter how many varieties exist and where they come from, Lithuanians favor those grown right here in their own gardens.
What do tomatoes mean to you?
Childhood? Plump with accumulated sunshine, summer’s red beauties transport almost everyone back to carefree, warm childhood summers as if time machines can whisk us all away to those blissful days. The juicy, fragrant tomatoes just picked, their sweet nectar running through our fingers, and mom scolding again that we’ve stained ourselves yet again.
Let’s dream away, back to reality.
Guided by these memorable flavors and emotional experiences, many seek THAT aroma and THAT quality. Perhaps this comparison fits those of us who always seek these characteristics in every product, signifying purity, authenticity, and quality.
Don’t spoil the especially high-quality Lithuanian summer and sun-kissed tomatoes with dubious quality seasonings. These summer emeralds deserve only the finest enhancements!
You can use our available spices and sauces not only for everyday cooking but also confidently choose them for preservation.
Here are a few ideas of delicious dishes you can make from these summer goodies:
1. Homemade Tomato Sauce
You will need:
- Of course, tomatoes: 4 kg (more or less, depending on your needs)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tsp sea salt (Fleur de sel)
- 3 tsp Provence herbs
- 1/2 tsp Tellicherry or red Kampot pepper
- 1 tsp smoked Chipotle chili peppers
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 tsp organic chervil powder
- 100 g brown cane sugar
- A few organic bay leaves (to be removed later)
- 1 tbsp (or to taste) Mediterranean wild herb mix
- 2 onions (if you like)
- Olive oil
Additionally, you can garnish with fresh parsley, calendula, dill, and basil.
The cooking process is very simple: Cut the tomatoes into pieces and place them in a baking tray with all the spices and herbs. Drizzle generously with olive oil and roast in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 1.5 hours.
Once roasted, take a food processor and blend everything into a smooth paste, then pour it into jars. If you want it to last longer, boil the sauce before pouring it into jars.
By the way, our team loves to compete with each other, so we also make this tomato sauce using spices available from The Mood and improvising a bit. Who won? Everyone. Each homemade tomato sauce made was unique.
P.S. With this homemade sauce, you can do a lot. You can easily transform the puree into tomato soup. Heat it up, swirl in some cream or coconut milk, sprinkle fresh chopped basil on top, and serve with bread slices. You can also suggest our available Austrian Alpine cheese. It’s also great for topping homemade pizzas. Enjoy!
2. Tomato Chutney
You will need:
- 3 red onions, thinly sliced
- 1 kg ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 8 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 300 g brown cane sugar
- 250 ml red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons (or to taste) Chipotle chili peppers
Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are completely broken down. Increase the heat to high and stir continuously until the mixture reaches a thick consistency (if it’s too liquidy, you can strain it).
Carefully pour the simmered mixture into clean glass jars and seal tightly. Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to three months. Once opened, keep refrigerated and consume within one month.
3. Probably the most Delicious Tomato Dish in the World
You will need:
- As many of the most delicious, ripe tomatoes grown in Lithuania as you desire.
- A pinch of pepper – pleasantly surprise with blends like “Sauvignon” and “Cabernet“. Or choose others and boldly experiment, exploring various flavors from around the world.
- A pinch of salt – undoubtedly delight both in taste and appearance with White Egyptian desert salt.
You probably sense where we’re heading. The preparation is incredibly simple: slice fresh tomatoes, season with pepper, salt, and if desired, basil leaves, and enjoy the most delicious dish of summer (and beyond). Sometimes, for a perfect product, in this case tomatoes, a little is enough.
That’s all for now. May you never run out of not only tomatoes but also the imagination of what to make from them. Garnish with various spices, look for new combinations, and don’t hesitate to boast about your discoveries.
Enjoy this tomato fiesta with full gusto and let it resonate through your senses!
