Clear Tomato Martini

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, quartered (or if using smaller ones, halved or whole)
• Kosher salt
• Chopped tomatoes, diced jicama, halved cherry tomatoes, and torn fresh basil, for garnish
• Vodka, if desired
• 1. Wash and quarter tomatoes. Place in a food processor, add salt (quite a bit to extract the juices from the tomatoes) and purée until the mixture is pink and the consistency of a frappé.
• 2. Place the mixture in a colander that has been lined with several layers of dampened cheesecloth or a dampened kitchen towel and place over a bowl. Let the mixture strain overnight.
• 3. For a palate cleanser - Pour into martini glasses and garnish with fresh vegetables and basil. Alternatively, shake the clear tomato water with vodka to taste and pour into martini glasses and serve as a cocktail with garnishes, as desired.

Directions

Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.

1. Quarter the ripe tomatoes and place them in a food processor. Add kosher salt generously to help draw out the juices, then purée until the mixture is pink and the consistency of a frappé.

2. Line a colander with several layers of dampened cheesecloth or a dampened kitchen towel and set it over a deep bowl.

3. Pour the purée into the lined colander, cover, and refrigerate overnight so the clear liquid drips into the bowl. Do not press the solids.

4. Discard the solids and keep the clear tomato water chilled.

5. Chop the extra tomatoes, dice the jicama, halve the cherry tomatoes, and tear the fresh basil for garnish.

6. For a palate cleanser, pour the clear tomato water into martini glasses and top with the garnishes.

7. For a cocktail, optionally shake the clear tomato water with vodka to taste over ice, strain into martini glasses, and add the garnishes.