65 concentration recipes

Homemade raspberry currant syrup for sparkling water, cocktails, and sodas. Fresh berries simmered with sugar, strained, and bottled for a concentrated fruit cordial.

Whole chicken and lentils baked in a clay cooker with smoked pork, aromatics, red wine, and dry mustard. A one-pot French-style braise with deeply concentrated flavor.

Slow-simmered beef chuck chili with dried red chiles, tomato paste, and kidney beans that rests 24 hours before serving for deep, concentrated flavor.

Jeff's favorite pizza sauce: a thick, concentrated pizza sauce made with plum tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and parmesan. Freezer-friendly and ready for homemade pizza night.

Roasted tomato salsa with jalapenos, garlic, white onion, cumin, and cider vinegar. Oven-roasting concentrates the tomato flavor for a smoky, slightly chunky salsa that beats any jar.

Couscous with sun-dried tomatoes, onion flakes, and garlic powder cooked in vegetable broth. A five-ingredient side dish ready in 15 minutes with concentrated tomato flavor in every bite.

Banana walnut upside-down cake with a brown sugar-maple syrup caramel, sliced bananas in concentric circles, and a cinnamon butter cake. Served warm with whipped cream.

Currant syrup made from mashed currants, raspberries, and sour cherries strained and dissolved with sugar into a concentrated fruit syrup. A three-berry preserve for drinks and desserts.

A triple chocolate cookie loaded with melted semisweet chocolate, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips, plus a hit of coffee concentrate for deep mocha flavor. Fudgy, chewy, and dangerously good.

Raisin spice drop cookies with plumped raisins, rolled oats, cinnamon, and allspice. The raisin soaking liquid goes right into the batter for concentrated fruit flavor in a soft, chewy cookie.

Orange balls are a no-bake holiday classic: crushed vanilla wafers mixed with butter, powdered sugar, frozen orange juice concentrate, and pecans, rolled in coconut for a bright citrus bite.

Linguine with mushrooms and garlic in butter and olive oil is a stripped-down Italian pasta with just six ingredients. A pound of sliced mushrooms sauteed until concentrated and golden, tossed with linguine in garlic butter.

Old fashioned apple pie with a from-scratch butter crust made flaky with apple cider vinegar. Granny Smith apples get tossed in reduced cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg for deep, concentrated apple flavor.

Roma tomatoes slow-roasted for three hours with olive oil, garlic, and hot chili until jammy and concentrated, then tossed with spaghetti, parsley, and basil. Named for the volcano and just as fiery.

Spicy roasted tomato soup with a horseradish kick, blended silky and served chilled under a bright herb salad of basil, tarragon and chervil. Roasting concentrates the tomatoes for a deep, smoky base that beats anything from a can.

Whole wheat carrot spice bread with oats, dates, and warm cinnamon-ginger spice. A hearty, low-fat quick bread made with applesauce and egg whites instead of butter or oil.