Mum’s Tomato & Chilli Sauce — A Family Favourite with a Little Kick

Some recipes are more than just food — they’re memories, connections, and little moments of love we can hold onto. This Tomato & Chilli Sauce is one of those for me.

It’s a recipe my beautiful mum made for years, carefully dating each batch. The last time she made it was February 2004. We lost her a few years ago, but every time I make this sauce, it feels like a warm hug from her kitchen.

This year, with a garden full of tomatoes before the cold crept in, I decided it was time to make Mum’s sauce again. The smell, the colour, the little notes in the recipe — it’s like having her here beside me.

Mum’s Tomato & Chilli Sauce

Ingredients:

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1½ tablespoons pimentos

• 3 teaspoons cloves

• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns

• 1½ kg ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

• 1½ cups sugar

• ⅔ cup white vinegar

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 3 medium red chillies, chopped

Method:

1. Tie the garlic, pimentos, cloves, and peppercorns in a piece of muslin to make a spice bag.

2. In a large saucepan, combine the tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, salt, chillies, and spice bag. Stir over heat without boiling until the sugar dissolves.

3. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally for about 45 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly.

4. Remove and discard the spice bag.

5. Blend or process the sauce in batches until smooth.

6. Pour the hot sauce into sterilised jars, seal, and let cool.

   
   

   Some recipes are written on paper, others are written on the heart. This one’s both. Here’s to keeping the flavours of family alive.