How to Make Homemade Tomato Juice

The FDA recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. However, with your busy schedule this goal may seem far-fetched. One way to incorporate fruits and veggies into your diet is by drinking fresh, homemade juices. For instance, you can whip up some tangy, spicy homemade tomato juice. Tomatoes are rich in nutrients, particularly one known as lycopene, which has been touted for its antioxidant and cancer-blocking characteristics. It may even lower your blood pressure. Drink up and enjoy the health benefits!

Things You'll Need

• 4 pounds tomatoes
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 4 cups coarsely chopped celery (about 2 ribs)
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• Dutch oven or other large, lidded pot
• Blender, food processor or food mill
• Jar or pitcher

Instructions

1. Core tomatoes. Discard cores and cut tomatoes into quarters. Place in Dutch oven or other large pot.

2. Add water, onion, celery and parsley to the pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.

3. Remove from heat. Puree the mixture in a blender or food processor, with a hand blender or in a food mill. Pour back into the Dutch oven or pot.

4. Add the salt, paprika, parsley and sugar to the tomato juice. Stir by hand until well blended.

5. Allow the homemade tomato juice to cool. Pour the juice into a jar or pitcher and refrigerate. Serve chilled.

References

• Health benefits of tomatoes
• FDA guidelines