I interrupt the normally scheduled post for this foodie PSA.
I present to you my newest love: Victoria White Linen Collection All Natural Marinara Sauce carried at Costco.
My two sisters have been raving about this all-natural marinara sauce from Costco for months and to my delight, Kerrie gave me one on the weekend. She told me that it is so good you feel compelled to eat it straight from the jar! I knew instantly that she meant business because the true test of a good food is whether you want to spoon feed it to yourself straight from the container. ;)
However, nothing would have prepared me for just how good it is. This marinara sauce is not only delicious, authentic, and flavourful, it is a game changer. I’m so excited about it, I’ve cooked with it the past two nights.
Unfortunately it is a bit watery used as a pizza sauce, but I wasn’t really complaining. ;) I also made a fantastic stir-fry with it. I am thinking about making my own marinara sauce, but something tells me I will never be able to make it taste as good as this. I may have to wait until the summer when I can get my hands on some juicy local tomatoes!
Tell me what food products have blown you away recently that you just want to tell the world about! Or even tell me about a long-time classic product that will always be a staple in your pantry.
A few of mine:
- Vega Choc-o-lot protein powder (I don’t use it often, but as a treat when I want a higher protein smoothie or VOO.)
- Rizopia brown Rice pasta (I never knew brown rice pasta could taste this good!!)
- Chia seeds
- Artisana cacao bliss
- Kamut and spelt Spaghetti
- Canadian Heritage Organic pure maple syrup
I shall return.
I don’t think there is a costco around here, but I’m going to keep my eye out for that sauce! I recently got a jar of Stonewall Kitchen brand mixed-berry jam and it is to die for. There are tons of whole berries in there–it’s like a berry pie party on your bread!
I happen to be a tomato lover! When I was a kid I used to eat tomatoes like apples, I’d sit down with a bit of salt and a few tomatoes and would just go to town! So tomato sauce is most certainly one of my favs. I actually wrote a blog post last night about my basic marinara I make, it’s pretty much the shell that I use for any sauce (I have a batch frozen for dinner some time this week).
Another staple in my house is TJ’s almond milk, it’s super cheap and it’s delish.
Amazing grass chai flavor – so yummy, I add them to my green smoothies.
Beans – I always keep a good stock of beans on hand, you can make so many different things with beans it really is a household staple for us.
There is something absolutely wonderful about a really good marinara. I actually drown my pasta in sauce because I love it so much. I’m always looking for something very authentic and natural. Yum!
A staple in our house is President’s Choice Salsa – the Original recipe. OMG it’s to die for!
Thanks for the brown rice pasta recommendation! I have only tried quinoa pasta since having to go gluten-free. It was ok, but not great. Although I love regular quinoa! So I can’t wait to try some better tasting pasta.
I LOVE that sauce. Our costco in AZ carried it and now I can’t find it in MI and I may have to order a case from VictoriaPacking.com lol. I tried to replicate it and came pretty close…but nothing compares to the real thing!
Since I eat fairly high raw, I normally shy away from pre-packaged foods. However, I’ve written this on a post-it note and slapped it to my computer – Next trip to Costco I’ll be scouring the isles for it :)
Thanks for sharing!
I can’t get enough of Trader Joe’s dried mango, medjool dates, and cacao nibs when I’m feeling fancy. :)
I just bought some elbow shaped spelt pasta and cannot wait to try it with nutritional yeast!! Oh what food blogs do to me…:)
That will definitely be on my list to try – I love pasta sauce and have been known to eat it by the spoonful. :)
I’m addicted to Atlanta Farm Fresh Greek-style yogurt and Trader Joe’s Roasted Valencia PB. I guess I need a non-chunky PB now since broken jaws mean not chewing even the smallest crunch. *sigh* 6 weeks to go… making that Garbanzo (hummus) soup of yours tonight!
that looks really good! I will keep my eye out. I love peanut flour lately, and I hear you on the chia seeds and the artisana cacao bliss. SO good, a jar a week! :)
I’ll be looking for that sauce too! However, I noticed that Costco stores in central/eastern Canada have different stuff from us out west. Costco had big boxes of Mary’s crackers when I was in Montreal at Christmas, but they carry some other type of rice/seed cracker here in Calgary (not nearly as good as Mary’s). I have bought a pretty good organic tomato sauce at my store, but I haven’t seen this brand…
There are these “Healthy Korner” tofu pita pockets that a lot of delis carry in NYC, and they are hands down one of my top ten favorite foods. A prepackaged sandwich! Totally vegan, clean ingredients, really filling….I have no idea how they do it. They’ve changed my life.
This is great to know! I’m in NYC and I’m not vegan, but it’s hard to find a good healthy deli lunch if you don’t like the usual sandwich/salad.
Kalahari cafe chocolatte black tea!!
Growing up with an all-Italian father who makes the world’s best spaghetti sauce, I have been conditioned to think all the jarred stuff is bad (case in point, Ragu – yuck!). Although I’m always open to trying new things, I think homemade beats out store-bought. The secret to great sauce is simplicity, really great extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, canned Italian whole plum tomatoes (of course fresh is always better, but those are hard to come by in NYC during winter!) and tomato paste. In half an hour you will have THE most amazing sauce – I promise!
Thanks I’ll have to try that! Do you have a recipe?
It’s very rough, I never measure – but I would guess about 2-4 tablespoons EVOO (enough to coat most of the bottom of your pan), 1 garlic clove chopped, about 1 tsp rosemary, 1-2 tsp red pepper flakes (I like mind fiery so I always add more after!), salt and pepper, 1 can whole plum tomatoes, about 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
Saute the garlic, rosemary and red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in the olive oil until garlic starts to smell amazing. Pour in the tomatoes and crush with a fork, taking out any green bits as they will be bitter. Stir and bring to a boil (not rolling boil, just until it starts bubbling), stir in the tomato paste and turn down the heat so the sauce continues to simmer. Stir every 5 mins or so to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom/to keep the flavors moving. Let it simmer for 25-30 mins and you’ll have a delish and simple sauce! :) The best way to eat is with spag and crusty Italian bread – OR over spag squash!!
I make a similar sauce, but a bit lighter (no tom paste).
Probably a bit more olive oil (perhaps 1/4 cup) and some more garlic cloves, and I coarly puree the tomatoes in the blender before adding. Then just salt, pepper, and — after it’s about 30-50% reduced, several fresh basil leaves. I like this on pizza, particularl pizza without cheese or with fresh buffalo mozzarella or clams+fresh crushed red pepper.
I absolutely love this sauce! It’s so delicious. I’ve found (like you mentioned), it can get a bit watery, but if you don’t overcook it or don’t reheat it for too long, then it retains it’s thickness a bit more. This post reminded me I should pick some more up sometime soon :)
great tip! I bet it is the water in the chunky tomatos that seeps out with cooking?
I’ll keep an eye out next time I’m at Costco!
I’ve been loving almond butter with flaxseed from Trader Joe’s. Mmmm.
Your pizza is mouth wateringly pretty!
I’ve been using different garlic infused cheeses (jack & sharp cheddar). Also have been loving pb flour in my smoothie/ shakes for protein instead of protein powder.
I’m always disappointed with jarred sauce, I’ll definitely have to try this one out! Thanks for the tip. :)