No Tomato - Life without tomatoes
By Diane Inside
Allergic or Intolerant to Tomatoes
I decided to write this hub in regards to the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who is "allergic" to tomatoes. We have been married for 2 1/2 years and it is getting better, when it comes to my decisions for what to make for meals.
As a country girl when my dad had a vegetable garden with lots of tomatoes, and them being almost a staple in our household growing up, it was a challenge to plan meals tomato free. I mean after all we all love spaghetti, lasagna, chili, pizza, vegetable soup and I could go on and on. But now no tomato of any kind, shape, or form. I now have to check Ingredients of everything I buy. Even some chips like Doritos has tomato powder in them.
So now all the previous foods mentioned are out. I now choose different options. At first I was in a rut. I felt limited to hamburgers and fries, or potatoes, and mac and cheese and fried chicken. But then I realized I could just modify some things to fit his tomato free lifestyle. And yes to me it feels like a lifestyle.
Now we can make pizza without tomatoes sauce. Sometimes with make a bacon, chicken, ranch pizza, Just by substituting the tomatoes sauce for ranch dressing, Its really good.
Sometimes instead of spaghetti, I'll make a fettucini Alfredo, with bread sticks, also very good.
Lasagna can be made with a garlic sauce, and all the cheese and meats you want . If made right it is also very good.
Now sometimes I feel deprived so I make a salad one for him without tomatoes and one for me with tomatoes.
When I really want a full on meal with lots of dripping tomato sauce, or the like i suggest we eat out. That way I am not making to completely different meals. Usually when we eat out there are great dishes like lasagna, ravioli, chili, etc to choose. While he can order is usual steak and potatoes.
I have seen what just a little tomato can do to my husband so I just don't even try to make meals at all if I can't get the ingredients just right. If you ever check the ingredients in those store bought packages you will see many of them have tomato even if you think they wouldn't.
Things like beef stew mix, has tomato. So I just learned to make it using flour and starch. With beef broth. Tastes the same to me. And with meatloaf I put in all ingredients except the tomato sauce or ketchup and leave out a portion of the dry ingredients such as oats or crackers and I can usually add some onion soup mix for flavor and it turns out to be a pretty good meatloaf. I can always add ketchup on my plate if needed, but I don't always think that's necessary.
So while it was a little hard to make adjustments, I learned to make it work and It has even gotten to the point that it's not something I have to study up on to figure out what to fix for dinner. It's just something I do.
Comments
Hi Carol, I'm glad you can relate. But sorry you have to deal with the same things my husband deals with. Thanks for you comment.Hope all goes well. Thanks.
I too have a tomato allergy so I know how hard it is so frustrating ,when people don't take you serious,
Hi Margie, I couldn't even imagine having to try to plan meals with keeping in mind all those foods, my goodness. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. I found this recipe for the tomato pasta sauce substitute myself just a few days ago. I'm glad you leave a link for it here. I thought it was pretty close and I added some italian herbs to it for some lasagna turned out pretty good.. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comment.
I know cooking without tomatoes can be really hard. Try eating without eggs, milk, wheat, chicken, turkey, yeast of any kind (including vinegars, mushrooms, and soooo much more.) That's my world and I get depressed every single week while trying to plan meals. One thing that has helped is a carrot, onion, celery & beet based substitute for tomato pasta sauce. I use it in chili and I like it even better than with delicious tomatoes. http://www.food.com/recipe/basic-nomato-sauce-toma
Hey Winsome, thanks for the recipe I will definately give it a try, He is willing to try anything. I remember my grandma made something similar now that you mention it she called it green tomato ketchup so I guess thats why I never thought of it. But hey I give it a try it may become a staple in our household. Thanks.
Hey Diane, As an alternative to regular ketchup, you might try this recipe which is my adaptation of a BBC chef's recipe--I left out green tomatoes so it may need some water, just look at the consistency.
Green chili ketchup
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 green pepper, seeds removed,finely chopped
4 cans of green chillies,finely chopped
200ml/7fl oz white wine vinegar
200g/7oz sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, add the onion and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
Add the chopped green pepper, green chillies, white wine vinegar, sugar, ground ginger and chopped garlic and bring to the boil. Boil for 12-15 minutes, or until the volume of liquid has reduced. Set aside to cool.
Transfer the ketchup mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a fine sieve suspended over a bowl and drain off any excess liquid. Season the ketchup, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Hi Winsome, I don't know about tomatillos but he is not allergic to green chilies as far as I know. Which is weird I know, Because I keep thinking what in the tomatoes is he allergic to, like acid, or licopene, etc. I just don't know, but thanks for the comment.
Hey Diane, this was a fun read. I like tomatoes so much that thinking of ways to cook without them is good exercise and a nice change. Is he also allergic to tomatillos or green chilies?
Thanks for the comment Springboard.Yeah that probably should have been in our wedding vows. lol yeah I'm managing. Whats hard is when family or friends invite us over for dinner. Then explaining to them the tomato issue. Sometimes I feel like they think we do not appreciate the offer. But his health comes first, and while it is an inconvenience it is necessary to avoid a severe reaction. Thanks again for the nod.
In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer. With tomatoes or without. :)
Tomatoes would be a really tough one. But it seems you've managed to work it out just fine.
kissthekook 15 months ago
Great to find that others share my interest for tomato-less living. Found that roasted red peppers work wonders for a "BLT". Use them in my chili also. I take my own pesto sauce to the pizza parlor when ordering pizza. They have to slice it with a fresh pizza cutter though. Now all I need to do is try to puree some to make a Bloody Mary mix. Ciao.