Editor's Choice: Mario Batali Tomato Basil Sauce

Even though I grew up in an Italian household, I never enjoyed the taste of tomato sauce until I was in high school. I’m not sure why, but I did have several cousins with the same “affliction.” Once my tastes changed, I became a total fan. In fact, it’s my feeling that tomato sauce can make just about anything taste better. So it wasn’t much of a sell for me to try Mario Batali Tomato Basil sauce (www.summergardenfood.com).

While the pasta was finishing up, I opened the jar and the first thing I noticed was the great scent of tomatoes. As you pour the sauce out, I noticed that it is not solid like most sauce; the tomatoes were sort of suspended in the olive oil. It is because the bottle says there is no paste or puree added. I wondered how that would affect the taste. The sauce is made with Italian San Marzano plum tomatoes. The other ingredients are fresh basil, carrots and garlic. But enough of the recipe, how was it? Let’s just say Mario has done his family proud. The sauce is fresh tasting and flavorful. The tomatoes blend wonderfully with the olive oil. And the carrots add a nice touch. The sauce can make even a humble plate of pasta a gourmet treat and perfect for a cold Chicago night.

And if that’s not enough, it is produced in a green facility so you can really feel good about buying it. It comes in a 24 oz. jar.

-Barbara

Winter Fancy Food Show update 1/19

It was another busy day at the show today!

I stopped in at Torn Ranch (www.tornranch.com) (booth 737) to see what Rich had going on, and he showed me the newly reintroduced Mashuga Nuts line, with its brand new packaging. Right now the hot item at Torn Ranch is the Dark Chocolate Caramel with Sea Salt.

I passed Bella Vita Bags (www.bellavitabags.com) (booth 559) and spotted this great little wine caddy (no pun intended), which would be perfect for a Father's Day gift of dad's favorite wine. Company owner Marisa China was also displaying a purse bag, a bag that would fit the bottle horizontally, with a cut-out handle for a fashionable way to give the gift of wine to a favorite diva.

I was making my way through the booths in the South Hall, and who should I see at the Magic Seasoning Blends (www.chefpaul.com) booth (3007) but Chef Paul Prudhomme himself. He was gracious enough to have his picture taken for a celebrity-studded Have We Caught Your Fancy edition. Look for his new Magic Shrimp Seasoning blend in our February issue's Made for the Grill feature. The other new Magic Seasoning Blend in the company's extensive lineup includes Magic Sweetie Blend, which is a blend of sugar and spices created to enhance anything from cereal to coffee or tea.


I stopped by the Gia Russa (www.giarussa.com) booth (4312) to see if I could sample the new sauces they were offering in conjunction with Mario Batali, and found a crowd clustered around the booth. Mario Batali was sitting there, in the booth! He was in the middle of a business discussion, so I decided I could be patient and meet him later this evening at the post-show event Gia Russa was sponsoring. My patience was rewarded because not only did I get to try the excellent new sauces, I also got to meet Mario himself! He was also kind enough to pose for a Have We Caught Your Fancy shot. Thanks, Mario!



Stay tuned, readers, I've got more to share with you!
Stephanie