Tomato relish sauce combines tomatoes with sugar, vinegar, seasonings and peppers.
A well-made relish can add amazing depth and flavor to even the most plainly cooked beef, chicken or pork. Although relishes range from sweet and smooth versions to tart, chunky and spicy concoctions, all contain the same basic set of ingredients: finely chopped fruits or vegetables and seasonings such as salt, sugar, spices or vinegar. Tomato relishes are popular additions to beef sandwiches and hamburgers, and make an eye-catching and tasty topping for sliced beef roasts. While you can purchase prepared tomato relish sauce, making your own is simple, inexpensive, healthy and allows you to adjust the taste to your own unique preferences.
Instructions
1. Wash the tomatoes and use a sharp knife to cut a shallow X into the base of each. Place the tomatoes into the heatproof bowl and pour enough boiling water over the top of cover all the tomatoes. Allow the tomatoes to soak in the water for approximately 40 seconds.
2. Take the tomatoes out of the water, carefully peel and discard their skin, remove their seeds and dice each of the tomatoes. You should end up with about six cups of diced tomatoes. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in a medium-sized saucepan and add the onions and chopped green bell pepper or hot chili peppers. Cook over medium heat until the onions are softened but not browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook one to two minutes longer, stirring frequently.
4. Stir the prepared tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper into the mixture in the saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer gently for one hour, uncovered. Stir the mixture frequently. After the cooking time is complete, test the relish's consistency with a spoon. If the sauce has reached the desired consistency, remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
5. Store the relish in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow the relish sauce to remain there for at least 24 hours -- ideally at least two days -- before using so the flavors can fully develop.
Tags: relish sauce, heat allow, sugar vinegar
