Contadina Tomato Paste, 6 oz Can

My Mom always used Contadina tomato paste when making tomato sauce for spaghetti or lasagna or sloppy joes or other tomato based soups and casseroles. She taught me how to add seasonings and how to add broths or water to get the right consistency for what you're making. She loved Contadina paste because it allows you to control the flavors as it is just concentrated tomatoes. It is rich and thick and then you can add whatever seasonings you want and you can control the consistency by adding broth or stock or water etc. Other sauces are already thinner and many have added seasonings. Contadina does not, so you can add whatever you want. Just adding two tablespoons can be the difference in a deeper depth of flavor! When I make sloppy joes I use 1-2 pounds ground chuck (80/20) depending on how many servings you want. Brown the meat with a diced onion, salt %26 pepper, I also add some diced green bell pepper or diced poblano, then add 1 small 6 ounce can of Contadina, stir into meat and slowly add either hot water or beef broth until it reaches a good consistency, thick and not too thin. Then add the seasonings you like. I always use chili pepper, it gives a nice spiciness without too much heat. If you want to spice it up, add a diced jalapeno or Fresno chili or whatever your favorite ones are. Add some sugar to mellow out the richness of the paste and to complement the spice. Play around with different spices, or use a pkg of fajita seasoning or chili seasoning if you want. I have found that by using spices and trying different ones you will find the ones you and your family enjoy! I never use a sloppy Joe canned mix since I make my own using the flavors I enjoy.

I once axed Don Corleone (my Godfather) if there was another brand of paste I should consider, and he said "forgetaboutit".., and gave me that mean scary look he could sometimes do. I think he wants me to buy Contadina.