Tomato ketchup is a favourite condiment around the world. From Italian pasta and French fries to Mexican salsas and Indian curries, the tomato-based sauce is incredibly versatile and forms the base for countless dishes across cultures. It can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or pureed, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a household in the country that doesn’t have a bottle of tomato ketchup stored in the fridge.
But do you know that rather than being just a condiment for savouring crunchy fries or burgers, it has a range of other surprising uses that can add flavour and convenience to your cooking? Read below the ten unexpected ways to use tomato ketchup that are worth trying:
Spicy Dip Base: Combine ketchup, hot sauce, mustard, and a touch of vinegar for a quick and flavorful spicy dip. It works well with fried foods like chicken nuggets, onion rings, or sweet potato fries.
Umami Booster: Add a small amount of ketchup to dishes like chilli, stew, or meat sauce to enhance the flavour. Its rich tomato base and subtle sweetness add richness to savoury meals.
Stir-Fry Sauce: Make a sweet and tangy stir-fry sauce by combining ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a dash of rice vinegar. It adds a distinct touch to traditional stir-fry dishes, complementing both veggies and proteins alike.
Condiment Fusion: Combine ketchup with mustard and mayonnaise and enjoy to create a tangy and creamy Thousand Island dressing. You can also use it as a topping for sandwiches, burgers, or as a dip for veggies and fries.
Cocktail Ingredient: Add depth and complexity to cocktail recipes by incorporating ketchup. Use it in micheladas, bloody marys, or even a ketchup-infused martini for a unique twist on classic drinks.
Pizza Crust Glaze: Brush ketchup and olive oil onto pizza dough before baking for a golden and flavorful crust. The ketchup caramelises in the oven, imparting a delicate sweetness and tanginess to each bite.
BBQ Meatballs: To make a glaze for homemade meatballs that is both sweet and savoury, mix ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Bake or simmer the meatballs in the sauce until they’re soft and coated in flavour.
Asian-Inspired Marinade: Mix ketchup with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and a dab of sesame oil for a quick and easy Asian-inspired marinade. It pairs nicely with tofu, veggies, and chicken, providing a sweet and tangy flavour profile.
Shine your utensils: Beyond cooking, tomato ketchup is a great cleaning agent for your utensils as it is acidic. So, when you have a black spot on a copper vessel or tough stains at the base of a pan, just pour a few drops of ketchup and scrub it off. You can also sprinkle a pinch of salt for added coarseness during scrubbing.
Fix Hair Colours: If you are afraid of damaging your coloured hair while diving in a swimming pool due to the chlorinated water. Fret not! Just apply some ketchup to your hair strands and leave it for about 20–30 minutes, then wash it out thoroughly.
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