Lycopene Power-Up! Tomato Juice
Boost Tomato Benefits 9x by Cooking Them!
The deep red of a tomato promises good health. As the European proverb says, ‘When the tomato turns red, the doctor turns pale,’ tomatoes boast exceptional health benefits. Their key component, ‘lycopene,’ is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radicals, which are major culprits in aging and disease. While in Korea, people often consume tomatoes raw to preserve Vitamin C, cooking tomatoes actually significantly enhances the absorption of lycopene. This recipe will guide you on how to maximize tomato’s nutritional value, boosting its benefits by up to nine times!
Tomatoes, Honey, Sesame Oil (or Olive Oil)- 20 tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (or olive oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In many Western countries, tomatoes are cooked to enhance their health benefits. This is something often overlooked. While it’s true that heating tomatoes can reduce Vitamin C content, it dramatically increases the absorption of ‘lycopene,’ a potent antioxidant. Since Vitamin C can be obtained from other sources, cooking tomatoes is a wise choice to fully harness the power of lycopene.
Step 2
Lycopene is known to be better absorbed by the body when cooked with oil. Therefore, we should prepare tomato dishes that facilitate the absorption of lycopene. Let’s make a dish that maximizes these benefits.
Step 3
This delicious and healthy tomato juice, when cooked, offers nine times more lycopene absorption compared to when eaten raw. My family absolutely loves this juice, enjoying the enhanced benefits of tomatoes. Let me guide you through making this super-powered tomato juice that the whole family can enjoy. First, thoroughly wash 20 ripe tomatoes under running water. Then, carefully remove the tough stem from each tomato.
Step 4
Place all the prepared tomatoes into a large, deep pot. Do not add any water. The tomatoes will release plenty of their own juice, making a rich and flavorful base without any added liquid.
Step 5
Cover the pot with a lid and set the stove to the lowest heat setting (low simmer). Cooking on low heat prevents sticking or burning, so you can rest assured. Since no water is added, the tomatoes will begin to simmer quickly from their own moisture. Once it starts steaming, let it simmer gently for exactly 30 minutes.
Step 6
As time progresses, you’ll notice the tomato skins starting to split, releasing their delicious juice which will collect at the bottom of the pot.
Step 7
After about 25 minutes of simmering, increase the heat slightly to medium or medium-high for the last 5 minutes. This step helps to evaporate some of the excess water, resulting in a thicker, more concentrated juice. Once 30 minutes have passed, turn off the heat immediately. Remove the lid and let the mixture cool down completely. Once cooled, transfer the tomato base into airtight plastic containers or glass jars for refrigeration.
Step 8
Now, let’s turn this tomato base into a delicious drink. For one serving of juice today, scoop about 2 ladles of the cooled tomato base into your blender.
Step 9
Add another 2 ladles of the flavorful cooking liquid from the pot to the blender. This liquid adds depth and richness to the juice.
Step 10
For a touch of sweetness, add 1 tablespoon of honey. If possible, adding another tablespoon of sesame oil or olive oil will further enhance lycopene absorption. Secure the lid and blend on high speed for about 2 to 3 minutes, until very smooth. Since we’re blending with the skins, it might feel slightly textured at first, but blending for a longer time will yield a silky smooth juice with no detectable skin. If you prefer to remove the skins, you can strain the mixture after cooking, before blending. However, the skins are nutritious, so blending them in after sufficient processing is recommended. This ensures you get the most out of the tomato.
Step 11
The resulting juice has a richer and more complex flavor than raw tomato juice, and its health benefits are significantly amplified. While you could use a pinch of salt instead of honey for a savory taste, a little sweetness makes it more enjoyable for everyone. I prefer adding honey, which makes it a hit with both children and adults. This ensures the whole family happily drinks it. Here’s what the finished juice looks like.
Step 12
Voila! Your delicious and nutrient-packed tomato juice is ready. Cheers to a healthy day with this wonderfully enhanced tomato juice, brimming with benefits. Enjoy and stay healthy!
