Herbed Tomato Water
Serve this as an accompaniment to your savory meals, or even on its own as a light and refreshing drink. It's a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
Serve this as an accompaniment to your savory meals, or even on its own as a light and refreshing drink. It's a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
- Carbohydrate 18.34066 g
- Cholesterol 3.6 mg
- Fat 2.02606 g
- Fiber 3.91450004780293 g
- Protein 5.8353 g
- Saturated Fat 0.510725 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (266g)
- Sodium 183.454 mg
- Sugar 14.4261599521971 g
- Trans Fat 0.20465 g
- Calories 104 calories
Step-by-step
- Add all ingredients to a medium pot, on a low heat. (note: only add half of the 1/2 cup of veg stock at the beginning of the cooking process)
- Add lid and let simmer for a half hour.
- Remove lid after half hour, test, season, and mash the tomato mixture.
- Recover the pot, and let simmer for another half hour.
- Remove from heat, and pass through a fine strainer.
Bright amber liquid drips slowly through a fine mesh strainer, carrying the concentrated aromatics of garden herbs and sweet fruit. Making clear tomato water relies on gentle heat extraction rather than aggressive boiling. Keep the burner set to a low simmer. High heat breaks down pectin and starches, turning the translucent extraction cloudy. Start the process with only half of the vegetable stock. Retaining the remaining liquid until the midpoint prevents the pot from boiling dry while the tomatoes release their cellular water. Simmer the mixture covered for thirty minutes to soften the fibrous tissues. Remove the lid, test the salinity, and mash the softened tomatoes against the pot bottom with a wooden spoon. Recover the vessel and simmer for an additional thirty minutes. Visual doneness appears when the tomato segments lose their bright red pigment, turning pale and translucent as their internal juices migrate into the surrounding liquid. Fresh basil, oregano, and thyme stalks infuse the broth without overpowering the primary vegetable note. Coarse black pepper provides a subtle background warmth that balances the natural sugars. Pour the finished liquid through a tight mesh lined with cheesecloth for absolute clarity. This clear extract freezes efficiently for up to three months in sealed glass jars. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before serving chilled or gently warmed over low heat.
