Ro_tel is a popular canned product composed of fresh tomatoes, chillies and spices that give Mexican and southwestern dishes an authentic flavour. If you are making a recipe that calls for Ro_tel and you don't have any on hand, you can easily reproduce this product at home, and make your recipe without worrying about compromising its overall flavour.
Canned Diced Tomatoes
The main ingredient in Ro_tel is tomatoes in tomato juice. When substituting for the tomato flavour in a recipe that calls for Ro_tel, use canned diced tomatoes. To maintain the same consistency as Ro*tel, do not drain the tomatoes from their juice.
Green Chiles
Substitute the second main ingredient in Ro_tel with fresh or canned, chopped green chillies. Chilli peppers are an important ingredient when you are substituting for Ro_tel, since it provides the "heat" element. If using fresh peppers, start with one chopped chilli pepper. If using canned, drain all the water from one small can. For both fresh and canned, add a small amount to the can of tomatoes, taste the mixture and increase the amount according to your personal preference.
- Substitute the second main ingredient in Ro_tel with fresh or canned, chopped green chillies.
- If using canned, drain all the water from one small can.
Seasonings
The last ingredients that give Ro*tel its classic flavour are salt and a blend of spices. Slowly add salt to the tomato and pepper mixture to taste. Based on your recipe and your personal tastes, add to the mixture pinches of classic Mexican spices such as cilantro, cumin, ancho chilli powder and coriander.