MasterChef Australia winner Laura Sharrad has entered the debate over the best tinned tomatoes in Australia. The chef, who owns Adelaide institutions Nido and Fugazzi and previously worked at Orana, shared her preferences on the Home Beautiful podcast The Edit. Sharrad’s culinary background, which includes working with the late Jock Zonfrillo at the three-hatted restaurant Orana, has likely influenced her opinion on the matter. Her experience in drawing on her Italian heritage to produce delicious pasta dishes and sauces has also given her a unique perspective on the importance of using high-quality ingredients.
The top choice: Annalisa
Sharrad has strong feelings about the Italian brand Annalisa. She says she loves the product because she grew up eating it. “I love Annalisa,” she told the podcast. “Mum has always bought Annalisa. I feel like you often carry on what you’ve grown up with.” This loyalty to a particular brand is not uncommon, especially when it comes to staples like tinned tomatoes. The brand is widely available at major supermarkets across the country, making it a convenient option for home cooks. For those who prefer a more intense flavor, Sharrad also recommends the Mutti brand, despite the higher price tag. She calls the Mutti triple concentrate tomato paste “insane,” though she notes it might be harder to find than the standard double concentrate.
The Mutti brand’s triple concentrate tomato paste is a notable mention, as it offers a more concentrated flavor profile compared to the standard double concentrate. This is particularly useful for cooks who want to add a deep, rich flavor to their dishes without having to use a large quantity of tomato paste. While the triple concentrate may be more difficult to find in some supermarkets, it can be sourced through online retailers like Amazon or specialty food stores.
Whole over crushed
When choosing between different cuts of tomato, Sharrad prefers whole peeled tomatoes over crushed varieties. She argues that crushed tins often contain added water, which dilutes the flavor. “I like to buy the whole tomato, instead of the crushed, because there’s more water in the crushed,” she explained. “They add a bit of extra water. Whereas the whole peeled tomato is just the tomato, which is great. It’s not diluted.” This preference for whole tomatoes aligns with general culinary advice, as cooking with whole fruit or vegetables typically yields a more concentrated result than processing them first.
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The process of crushing tomatoes can indeed result in a more watery consistency, which may affect the overall flavor and texture of a dish. By opting for whole peeled tomatoes, cooks can avoid this issue and enjoy a more intense, unadulterated tomato flavor. Additionally, whole tomatoes can be easily crushed or blended to achieve the desired consistency, giving cooks more control over the final product.
On set choices
While MasterChef contestants are encouraged to make everything from scratch, tinned tomatoes are occasionally used on the show. The production team generally relies on pantry staples that are consistent and reliable for high-volume cooking. The show’s supermarket partner, Coles, is a likely source for the tinned goods used during filming, though the specific brand used on any given episode has not been confirmed. This partnership between MasterChef and Coles highlights the importance of having a reliable supplier for ingredients, especially in a high-pressure cooking environment.
Sharrad’s endorsement adds another point of consideration for home cooks looking to raise their pasta sauces and stews. By choosing high-quality tinned tomatoes, such as Annalisa or Mutti, cooks can create delicious and flavorful dishes with ease. The use of tinned tomatoes on MasterChef also demonstrates that even in a competitive cooking environment, convenience and reliability can be just as important as using fresh, scratch-made ingredients. As a result, home cooks can take a cue from the show and incorporate tinned tomatoes into their own recipes, knowing that they can still achieve great results with a little help from a trusted brand.
