J. Kenji López-Alt - Every Way to Cut a Tomato | Kenji's Cooking Show
The video provides a comprehensive guide on cutting and storing different types of tomatoes, including beef steak, Roma, and cherry tomatoes. It explains that smaller tomatoes tend to be tastier in the offseason due to the square-cube law, which affects how tomatoes are harvested and ripened. Larger tomatoes are often picked green and ripened with ethylene gas, which affects their flavor. For storage, tomatoes should be kept upside down to retain moisture, and refrigeration is recommended for very ripe tomatoes to preserve flavor, despite some texture loss. The video also demonstrates how to peel tomatoes using boiling water or a torch and how to cut them into various shapes like fillets, concas, and slices. It suggests using canned tomatoes for sauces in the offseason due to their superior flavor from being vine-ripened.
Key Points:
- Smaller tomatoes are tastier in the offseason due to less pressure on their surface, allowing them to ripen fully on the vine.
- Store tomatoes upside down to prevent moisture loss and extend freshness.
- Refrigerate very ripe tomatoes to preserve flavor, but let them return to room temperature before serving.
- Use boiling water or a torch to easily peel tomato skins for sauces or salsas.
- Canned tomatoes are preferable for sauces in the offseason as they are vine-ripened and have better flavor.
Details:
1. 🍅 Exploring Tomato Types
- The segment explores various types of tomatoes such as tomato fets, tomato concas, peeled PL Roma tomatoes, half cherry tomatoes, beef steak tomato slices, and beef steak tomato chunks.
- Tomato fets are ideal for fresh salads due to their firm texture and juicy flavor.
- Tomato concas are commonly used in sauces and salsas, offering a rich taste and smooth consistency.
- Peeled PL Roma tomatoes are perfect for stews and soups, providing a robust flavor and easy integration into liquid-based dishes.
- Half cherry tomatoes are great for garnishes and quick snacks, adding a burst of sweetness and color.
- Beef steak tomato slices are suited for sandwiches and burgers, providing a substantial and flavorful bite.
- Beef steak tomato chunks are often used in hearty stews and casseroles for their ability to retain shape during cooking.
2. 🌿 Tomato Selection and Storage Insights
2.1. Tomato Selection for Optimal Flavor
2.2. Effective Tomato Storage Techniques
3. 📦 Optimal Tomato Storage Techniques
- Big tomatoes are harvested underripe to avoid being crushed under their own weight. Supermarket tomatoes are often picked green and ripened with ethylene gas during transit, which is naturally produced by ripening fruit and triggers tomatoes to turn red. However, the flavor from ethylene-ripened tomatoes is inferior to vine-ripened tomatoes.
- For optimal flavor, small tomatoes should be picked fully ripe as they don't get crushed by their weight. Offseason tomato purchases should favor smaller varieties for better ripeness and flavor as they are less likely to have been artificially ripened.
4. 🥶 Refrigeration: Pros and Cons
- Store tomatoes upside down to retain moisture; they remain fresh for up to a week and a half this way.
- Covering the vine attachment area with tape also helps retain moisture.
- Refrigeration can alter the texture and flavor of tomatoes irreversibly, but supermarket tomatoes have already been refrigerated.
- Refrigerating supermarket tomatoes extends their shelf life without further harming them.
- For ripe tomatoes not intended for immediate consumption, refrigeration preserves flavor better than leaving them to over-ripen.
- Farmers market or homegrown tomatoes should be eaten immediately if possible; otherwise, refrigerate if very ripe and not for immediate consumption.
5. 🔪 Mastering Tomato Peeling
5.1. Boiling Method for Peeling Tomatoes
5.2. Alternative Method for Large Quantities
6. 🔥 Roasting Techniques for Enhanced Flavor
- Torch-roasting tomatoes imparts a charred, smoky flavor, ideal for enhancing dishes like roasted tomato salsa.
- This method allows for easy skin removal after torching and ice bath immersion, simplifying preparation.
- Torch-roasting is suitable for small batches, providing control over flavor intensity and texture.
- The technique integrates well with recipes requiring a smoky, roasted element, elevating the overall dish profile.
- To maximize flavor, ensure even exposure to the torch, adjusting duration based on desired smokiness.
7. 🍽️ Crafting Perfect Tomato Cuts
- For sauce-making, remove seeds from Roma tomatoes to avoid distracting texture, ensuring a smooth consistency in your sauce.
- Cut tomatoes into quarters and fillet the middle part to efficiently remove the core and seeds, resulting in smooth tomato fillets ideal for sauce.
- Leaving seeds in can add flavor but may affect texture; choose based on personal preference and desired outcome.
- When aiming for a cleaner taste in sauces, focus on using the tomato flesh, as seeds provide a different flavor profile.
8. 🔪 Tomato Fillets and Concassé Techniques
- The process begins with cutting the tomato into fillets by peeling and deseeding before slicing them into thin strips.
- These strips are then diced finely to create tomato concassé, which are uniform tomato cubes ideal for specific dishes.
- This technique is particularly valued in Provençal dishes in high-end French restaurants, showcasing its culinary prestige.
- For best results, ensure tomatoes are blanched and peeled to remove skin easily, ensuring a smooth texture in the final dish.
9. 🍔 Tips for Slicing Tomatoes for Sandwiches
- Use a real sharp knife to slice tomatoes for sandwiches efficiently.
- Hold the tomato sideways for better grip and control during slicing.
- Utilize the knife tip to remove the stem if desired, ensuring a cleaner slice.
- Minimize sawing motion to prevent mangling the tomato, leading to cleaner slices.
10. 🍅 Utilizing Cherry Tomatoes Effectively
- Cherry tomatoes are preferred in winter for their superior flavor compared to larger varieties.
- For a quick tomato sauce, saute garlic in olive oil, add whole cherry tomatoes, and allow them to burst naturally, providing a rich and fresh sauce.
- Incorporate cherry tomatoes into salads for a flavorful boost, enhancing the overall taste and freshness.
- Experiment with roasting cherry tomatoes with herbs to intensify their sweetness and create a versatile ingredient for various dishes.
- Consider using cherry tomatoes in fresh salsas or bruschetta, capitalizing on their natural juiciness and sweetness.
11. 🛒 Fresh vs. Canned Tomatoes: Making the Right Choice
- Canned tomatoes are recommended for sauce-making in the off-season due to their full ripeness at processing, ensuring consistent quality and flavor year-round.
- Fresh tomatoes may lack flavor and can be more expensive during the off-season, making them less ideal for cooking purposes.
12. 🍅 Comprehensive Tomato Preparation Recap
- Roma and San Marano tomatoes are specifically grown for sauces, often found at farmers markets.
- Canned tomatoes are preferred for making rich tomato sauces with intense flavor.
- In the height of summer, fresh vine-ripened tomatoes are a viable alternative for sauces, but canned tomatoes are generally favored, especially in winter.
13. 🔔 Conclusion and Additional Resources
- The video includes a variety of ways to prepare tomatoes: tomato concas, peeled PL Roma tomatoes, half cherry tomatoes, beef steak tomato slices, and chunks.
- Viewers can access a full article, recipe, and bonus content for free on Patreon.
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- Links to all tools used in the video are available in the description.