FOOD NEWS
The Canned Tomatoes Ina Garten Utilizes To Thicken Pot Roast
BY EMMA SEGREST
Ina Garten's Company Pot Roast recipe, which she shared with Food Network, doesn't use flour or cornstarch to thicken the stew. Rather, the chef uses canned plum tomatoes.
Specifically, Garten uses canned whole plum tomatoes in tomato puree. The tomatoes come peeled and with the core removed so they can be added right into the stew.
For best results, look for a can that contains at least 50% tomato flesh. Garten's canned tomatoes of choice are San Marzanos, which hail from San Marzano sul Sarno in Italy.
Whole canned tomatoes maintain their shape and flavor well, but break down just enough to thicken the pot roast sauce as it cooks.
As the tomatoes are cooked down, excess liquid evaporates, naturally thickening the stew while also eliminating any bitter flavors that can be present in canned tomatoes.