Things You'll Need:
- Canned tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Shallot
- Salt and pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- White wine
- Pasta
- White beans
- Chicken broth
- Fresh vegetables
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Step 1
Choose the type of canned tomato that’s appropriate for your purpose. Whole or chopped tomatoes are ideal for soups, while petite diced make great quick sauces. Tomato puree and paste add flavor to sauces and soups while keeping the texture smooth.
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Step 2
Consider the quality and flavor of your canned tomatoes. Read the labels and choose the tomatoes with the most natural ingredients—tomatoes, water and salt. Many canned tomatoes come already seasoned with garlic or herbs. This makes cooking easy, but for the most control, use plain tomatoes and season them yourself.
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Step 3
Make a quick pasta sauce. In a frying pan, saute 2 cloves of garlic and 1 large shallot in extra virgin olive oil. Add salt, pepper, 1 tsp. of Italian seasoning and ¼ cup of white wine. Stir in a 14-oz. can of petite diced tomatoes. Cook on medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes until slightly thickened. Serve over al dente pasta.
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Step 4
Make an easy soup. In a small soup pot, cook until softened 2 cloves of garlic and 1 large shallot in extra virgin olive oil. Add a 14-oz. can of chopped tomatoes, a 14-oz. can of white beans (rinsed and drained) and 1 tsp. of Italian seasoning. Stir in a 14-oz. can of chicken broth or 1 ½ cups of water, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Step 5
Make a quick side dish. In a sauce pan, combine a 14-oz. can of chopped tomatoes with 1 ½ cups of a chopped fresh vegetable like zucchini or okra. Cook over medium heat until the fresh vegetable is tender. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
