Homemade Tomato Juice

Some tomatoes are sweeter than others, depending on their ripeness and the variety of tomato. Use the ripest tomatoes you can. Added sugar will balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes, use more or less to taste. Tabasco hot sauce is also to taste, depending on your desired level of spiciness.

What to do with the leftover tomato pulp? Try frying it up with some eggs for a tasty scramble.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds very ripe garden tomatoes, cored, roughly chopped
• 1 1/4 cups chopped celery with leaves
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp sugar (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pinch black pepper
• A couple shakes of Tabasco sauce, about 6-8 drops (to taste)

Method

1 Put all ingredients into a large non-reactive pot (use stainless steel, not aluminum). Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until mixture is completely soupy, about 25 minutes.

2 Force mixture through a sieve, chinoise, or food mill. Cool completely.

Store covered and chilled. Will last for about 1 week in the refrigerator.

Makes about 1 quart.