Of those people preparing meals on a regular basis, more than half said they cook Italian cuisine the most. Many people prefer Italian cuisine, not only for its wonderful flavors but because so many dishes can be prepared quickly. Of course, tomato is the base for many Italian favorites. There are so many different kinds of tomato products available that it can be confusing. Here's a brief run-down on some of those found on your grocery shelves.
Tomato paste is a wonderful addition in small amounts to enrich soups, stocks and stews.
It often is used with other canned tomatoes, broth products, water or wine to enrich and thicken sauces. Diced tomatoes prove an excellent substitute for fresh-cut tomatoes, adding the proper look and texture. Best when combined with paste or sauces for heartier meat, poultry or pasta sauces, they also can be drained to top pizza, bruschetta and focaccia. Peeled, sliced tomatoes cooked in tomato juice with onion, celery, bell pepper and seasonings, they offer rich, complex, slow-cooked tomato flavor. Stewed tomatoes can be served as is or as an excellent addition to soups, stews or other side dishes.