Does anyone use an entire can of tomato paste at once? It’s so concentrated with tomato deliciousness that you need only a spoonful or two. What a great deal! But it isn’t such a bargain if you throw out the rest of the can, and even if you put the remainder in a food container in the fridge, it doesn’t keep its zingy freshness for very long. Here’s what to do: Use what you need, then put the rest in a small, resealable plastic bag (a sandwich-size bag works well). As you are spooning, make note of the total number of tablespoons that are going into the plastic bag. Seal the bag shut, flatten out the paste to about one-quarter-inch thickness, and put it in the freezer. Then, whenever a recipe calls for one or two tablespoons of paste, just break off an appropriate-size piece (i.e., one-quarter of the piece for one tablespoon, one-half for two…if the bag contains four tablespoons). Remember to label the bag of paste with the number of tablespoons it contains as well as the date you put it in the freezer. The paste should keep well for up to six months.

 

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