When Life Gives You Tomatoes, Make Tomato Powder

What is the one thing that just about anyone can grow? Yes, the red fruit of the vine, the tomato. If your garden is anything like mine, all the tomatoes come on ripe in the same week.  Even the neighbors get tired of DH handing out bags of tomatoes.  That was why I think this is so brillant. I happen to come across a post that was talking about making tomato powder. You can use it to flavor soups, make paste, sauces, drinks, taco mix, etc...

The tomatoes are dehydrated and then powdered in a coffee grinder.  I don't drink coffee, but I may have to get a grinder.

Tomatoes


Peel tomatoes by dipping in boiling water for 1 minute, (the skins will split a bit, I cut an x at the base of the tomato before blanching. ) then dip the tomato in cold water for 1 minute. Slip skins off and cut out cores. Cut into 1/8" slices or into 1/4" cubes. Drain well.


Dehydrator: Spread slices or cubes over trays so pieces are not overlapping. Dry 8 to 10 hours at 120 degrees F., then turn slices and continue drying for another 6 to 8 hours until brittle.


To Use: Refresh slices by placing on a shallow plate or platter and spraying with warm water. Let soak for 1 hour, spraying with water occasionally. Refresh smaller pieces by soaking in water to cover for 1 hour or more. Add dried slices or cubes without refreshing to salads, soups, and casseroles.

One cup dried yields about 1 1/2 cups refreshed tomatoes.


Rehydrating Tomato Powder
Tomato Paste – 1 tsp powder and 1 tsp water.
Tomato Sauce – l tsp powder and 3 tsp water.
Tomato Soup – 1 tsp powder, 1 tsp water and 2 tsp cream. (note)
Tomato Juice – 1 tsp powder and 1/2 tsp water or more. (note)


NOTE: Adjust amount of water to taste for soup and juice.