All Photos By Gail
Do you like pasta? I sure do. I recently had the pleasure of cooking with new gourmet pasta sauces that took me on a delightful Italian culinary experience from start to finish. As a lover of Italian cuisine, but especially pasta with mouthwatering sauces, I was excited to receive a surprise package from Filippo Berio that included two jars of their latest pesto sauce flavors: Basil & Ricotta, and Truffle. Both sauces are produced in Liguria, Italy, the birthplace of pesto, which can only add an authentic touch to any meal.
The shipment also included a bottle of the 156-year-old band’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which came in a sleek, restyled bottle with new a new label and fully recyclable packaging, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to sustainability. This was a sweet addition to my pantry, as I appreciate top-quality olive oil, and was almost out.
To fully enjoy these sauces, I decided to pack up some groceries and host a pasta party at my friend Lauren’s house. We started by boiling an entire package of spaghetti — because why not — to perfection/ Then the real magic began when we divided the cooked pasta into two huge bowls and opened the jars of Filippo Berio pesto.
First up was the Basil & Ricotta Pesto. This sauce is a revelation. It combines fragrant Italian basil with fresh, delicate Ricotta cheese, resulting in a creamy texture that redefines classic pesto. The use of all-natural ingredients like, Grana Padano cheese (DOP), Ricotta cheese, and cashew nuts adds to its richness and creaminess. Tossed with the freshly cooked pasta of your choice, it’s an easy gourmet meal that anyone can whip up in no time!
You Can See The Goodness
What I love about this pesto is its versatility; you can use it on pasta or grains, sandwiches, pizza, as a marinade, or even as a dip. One jar is a gourmet delight.
Next, we prepared a portion of the hot pasta with the Truffle Pesto. This aromatic sauce is a luxurious treat with the rich fragrance and flavor of summer truffles. But beyond being a sauce for pasta – this pesto will also elevate dishes like eggs, potatoes, red meats, and even homemade “Truffle Fries.” It’s a versatile flavor bomb that will add sophistication to your culinary creations. The combination of cashew nuts, Grana Padano cheese DOP, summer truffle, and pine nuts is simply divine.
Finally, it was time to eat, with Lauren filling our bowls with a bit of each pasta and its accompanying sauce (she also added some sweet green peas – a nice touch)!
These creamy, indulgent sauces took our simple pasta meal to the next level, with a flavor explosion that left us craving more. I can honestly say that I haven’t tasted better pesto sauces than those from Filippo Berio. In fact, I devoured two bowls! I gifted the remaining jars of pesto to Lauren, so she could treat her husband and daughter to a gourmet pasta meal, which hear they enjoyed.
Be sure to check out Filippo Berio’s website, which features beautifully illustrated product descriptions and a fantastic blog loaded with recipes and meal planning guides. Additionally, they offer articles on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and ideas for holiday entertaining, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their culinary skills and knowledge.
Filippo Berio’s pasta sauces and olive oils are a must-try for any Italian food enthusiast. With their commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainability, they have truly mastered the art of creating exquisite pesto sauces that elevate any dish. I can’t wait to explore more of their offerings and continue to savor the flavors of Italy in my own kitchen. Grazie, Filippo Berio, for bringing the taste of Italy to my table!
