As I wrote about yesterday, I’m currently trying to avoid tomatoes and undertake a low-salicylate Paleo diet. I usually use a lot of tomatoes in my cooking, as they are a great base for sauces and meals. My favourite dishes, ragu, bolognese and chilli all use lots of tomatoes, so I’ve been experimenting to find an alternative.
Since tomatoes are a nightshade, this recipe will be helpful to those avoiding nightshades too. I’ve also just realized that tomatoes have quadrupled in price in the last few months – so this is also good for the budget!
I used carrots and beetroot to make the “tomato” sauce, which I then used exactly as I would a real tomato sauce with the rest of the ingredients in this bolognese. I’m not that keen on beetroot on it’s own but in this dish with all of the other flavours, it was a great addition.
Ingredients
- Carrots (I used about 9)
- Beetroot (I used 4)
- Leek, diced
- 3 diced onions
- Parsnip
- 7 mushrooms, sliced
- Pork mince (500g)
- Beef mince (500g)
- Coconut oil
- Coconut aminos
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne pepper
- Ground chilli
- Salt & Pepper
Method
- I peeled and roughly chopped the carrots, beetroot & parsnip and added them to a large pan of boiling water
- Meanwhile, in another pan I sautéed the onions in some coconut oil until they turned translucent
- Next, I added the mince and a splash of coconut aminos
- Once the meat had all browned, I added the leek, mushrooms and a small amount of each of the herbs and spices (I don’t use very much, but adjust according to how hot you like it – and how little you like beetroot!)
- I allowed the meat mixture to simmer on a low heat, stirring regularly, and adding water from the carrot & beetroot pan as it dried out
- Once the carrots and beetroots started to soften, I turned the heat off and pureed in the blender
- With the tomato-free “tomato sauce” ready, I added it to the meat pan and allowed it to simmer for a few minutes before serving
I’m really pleased with how this recipe turned out, it’s great to have an alternative to tomatoes!
If you have any suggestions for alternatives to tomatoes, please share in the comments below…
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks, good to have alternatives to tomatoes. It’s strange its only in the last year I’ve realised tomatoes were causing my skin rash.
Realising is the most important thing Carole!
I love this alternative I have a gluten, tomato, peanut, tuna, turkey free guy at home and he loves spaghetti and it is hard to find a way to make it without the tomato’s. I am glad I found this recipe I can smother this of Spaghetti Squash and he can eat it too.
That’s great Kira. That’s a shame about the tuna and turkey, but other proteins are ok?
I gave this a go yesterday and rather pleased with the taste. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Sue, glad you enjoyed!
How interesting! This is something to try for sure. I do love tomatoes but an alternative might be fun too.
It’s nice to try something different sometimes
Hi Suz,
Could you please explain the coconut aminos and where to get them, thank you
Hi Marjorie,
Coconut aminos is a great alternative to Soy Sauce. I get mine from iherb here http://iherb.com/p/40620?rcode=duv741 as they seem cheaper than a lot of health food shops – including delivery.
I’ve got some more information on it here http://paleo.com.au/2011/10/coconut-aminos/.
I’ve been trying to work out how manage a low-salicylate diet as I’ve only just worked out what I am allergic to. So good to get different ideas, as I’ve been a bit lost, trying to think how to replace some of my favorite choices.
I am really pleased I now know what to avoid & I have choices.
Thanks Janey, good luck!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. My 10 year old son was diagnosed with Crohns disease in November last year. I spent days reading about what the best diet would be for him and decided to go Paleo. He can’t eat nightshades and I really struggled to find something to use as an alternative for tomatoes. Looking forward to try this