My own version of 'nomato sauce', a vegetable based, red coloured concoction that can be used as a tomato passata equivalent. The beetroot is what gives it the red colour, but be careful because you have to make sure the balance of flavours aren't dominated by the beetroot, which can be quite overpowering.
You will need:
- 1 fresh beetroot, peeled and chopped
- 6-7 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 sticks of celery, roughly chopped
- 1 white onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 red onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 pint hot water
- 1 bay leaf
- cracked black pepper
- pinch of salt
Method:
Add everything to a large saucepan, stir, cover, and leave to simmer for 1hr, until all the vegetables are soft and squishable.
Remove the bay leaf, add some cracked black pepper and a pinch of salt, and blitz until smooth.
This can then be used as a replacement, in pretty much any recipe which calls for tomato in it. It's also a great way to get extra vegetables into your children, without them even realising!