Thermomix Tomato Paste

Directions

1. 1
   1. Put the tomatoes into the Thermomix bowl, whatever you can fit. I managed to squish the tomatoes down with the lid.
2. 2
   2. Chop for 10-30 seconds on speed 6.
3. 3
   3. Add salt, sugar, oil and bay leaves.
4. 4
   4. Cook for 40 minutes at Varoma temperature on speed 1.
5. 5
   5. Turn speed slowly up to 6, then build up to 9. Pulverise for a minute.
6. 6
   6. Scrape the mixture from the sides down into the bowl, then cook for another 40 minutes as above.
7. 7
   Keep repeating steps 4 and 5 until the tomato paste is the consistency and colour you prefer. Because the tomato paste in the photos was a first attempt, I erred on the side of caution, not wanting to burn it, but I think next time I'll try to reduce the mixture further, making it more of a deep red. You can also add red capsicums (bell peppers) to the mixture, too.
8. 8
   This recipe won't keep long in the fridge, so I froze it into blocks, with only a small amount kept in the fridge.