Heinz Tomato Paste

[Mad_Ernie]

Went in to my local Wal-Mart market the other day and low and behold what I saw on their shelves: Heinz tomato paste in 6 oz. cans!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Heinz-Tomato-Paste-6-oz/21501633

For any one who is trying to reverse engineer or mimic the sauces found in Round Table Pizza (and perhaps Shakey's, as well), this is one of those key ingredients that has been hard to find in local stores.  The nice thing about the size is that unlike the big #10 cans, you can buy in smaller quantities, use it fresh, and avoid possible spoilage. 

-ME

[Chicago Bob]

Nice find ME. For the places you mentioned, is the paste mixed with any other tom. product or just simply cut with water? Thanks.

[Mad_Ernie]

Bob:

The paste from Heinz is straight tomatoes, nothing added.

For the restaurants I mentioned, I would do a search in the American Style forum using "Heinz Tomato Paste" and you will see it come up under various discussions about the sauces for those two establishments.  Those places typically added their own special blend of herbs and spices, but I do not recall if they used water to help smooth out the texture.  I think some water was added, as no other tomato products were/are used in those sauces, but my memory has failed me on many occasion.

-ME

[Chicago Bob]

I can't imagine a place using straight paste without at least a little bit of water. But then, I've never tasted Heinz paste so maybe it is good straight with no chaser. Shakeys did use a paint brush....maybe they called it their "paste" brush. 

[Mad_Ernie]

I can't imagine a place using straight paste without at least a little bit of water. But then, I've never tasted Heinz paste so maybe it is good straight with no chaser. Shakeys did use a paint brush....maybe they called it their "paste" brush. 

Other places have used paint brushes, too.  I recall Happy Joe's being another example, but they were largely a knock-off of Shakey's.

-ME

[blackshifter]

Other places have used paint brushes, too.  I recall Happy Joe's being another example, but they were largely a knock-off of Shakey's.

-ME

You just gave me an image in my head of Bob Ross painting happy little trees on a pizza!

[Chicago Bob]

You just gave me an image in my head of Bob Ross painting happy little trees on a pizza!

Hey, pizza making is a very creative art form right dude?! 

"Any way you want it to be, that's just right."   

[blackshifter]

HAHA! 

Oh I think I will put a happy little cloud of cheese here!

[Chicago Bob]

HAHA! 

Oh I think I will put a happy little cloud of cheese here!

"Clouds are very, very free"   

[dmcavanagh]

Heinz is the mother company of Escalon and Classico tomato products, I think I'd rather use one of those rather than watered down tomato paste.

[Chicago Bob]

Heinz is the mother company of Escalon and Classico tomato products, I think I'd rather use one of those rather than watered down tomato paste.

Dave,
As you know, sometimes "better" does not give the "correct" flavor. I would never use the tomato product the NP guys use on my Chicago thin crust pizza's. And I doubt Shakey's wants a NY pie sauce on their jank!