Mario Batali pasta sauce

[beggsy]

Costso is selling a 2-jar pack (24 oz each) of Mario Batali pasta sauce that is very light and delicious. Sorry I can't remember what I paid for it.

[TSAW]

I finally got to Costco (NE Calgary) and got some of this sauce ($8.69/2). Apparently he makes various flavors (Arrabiata, and Tomato Basil that I could see online). Costco only had 'cherry tomato'. I don't give a crap about celebrity chef endorsements, but WOW, it's really good. It says it's fresh and it tastes like it, to me. We really enjoyed it.

[beggsy]

Beacon Hill was down to just a few dozen jars. (Sign had the * on it which means it isn't coming back.) Quite a few of the jars had lost their seal and a friend of mine bought some that were also 'broken' - I am wondering if that is why they aren't carrying them any longer. It sure is good sauce.

[Johnny West]

Make your own....

Basic Tomato Sauce
Recipe courtesy Mario Batali

Prep Time:15 minInactive Prep Time:--Cook Time:45 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 cups
Ingredients
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 Spanish onion, 1/4-inch dice
4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tablespoon dried
1/2 medium carrot, finely grated
2 (28-ounce) cans peeled whole tomatoes, crushed by hand and juices reserved
Salt
Spaghetti, cooked al dente
Whole basil leaves, for garnish
Grated Parmesan, (optional)
Directions
In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the thyme and carrot, and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft. Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.

When ready to use, the cooked pasta should be added to a saucepan with the appropriate

amount of sauce. Garnish with basil leaves and cheese, if using.

[TSAW]

They are selling jars that have lost their seal? That seems wrong and possibly poisonous!

Johnny West - 15 Prep and 45 minutes cooking?? Forget that, Iike the 5 minutes required with the jar! Yes, I know it's not that hard, but I'm friggin lazy.

[Johnny West]

Thicken it with paste then. I use Contadina Italian herbed paste.

[caseygirl]

Bought the sauce...made my tried and true lasagne - found it too sweet - those who really enjoyed it - what did you do with it..specifically ?
Still have a jar left -

[TSAW]

I just had boring penne pasta and fresh parmesean, cracked black pepper and torn basil leaves. Nothing special. Now that you mention, it was a little sweet but given there was no meat, I didn't mind.

[Scary Bill]

Try it alone. What you are tasting is simply the natural sugars found in the ripe cherry tomatoes and the depth of the tomato flavour, which is typically better in cherry tomatoes.

This is the kind of sauce best eaten plain with pasta and if you wish, parmesan and/or cracked pepper.

There is no added sugar, only natural ingredients and if you should have any other prepared pasta sauce at home, compare the label ingredients and you will find that Mario's has about 25% of the sugar found in other prepared sauces.

I think it is the best prepared sauce I've ever had. But I know it will not please everyone.

[TSAW]

Very true! I'm looking at the jars right now - sugars: Classico 6g, Mario 2g. Classico does have calcium chloride and citric acid. Mario has neither.

[maplesugar]

I picked some up awhile ago at the Red Deer Costco. It's fine on it's own with some meatballs and capellini or spaghetti it also makes a nice rose sauce when mixed with my go-to cheese sauce.

[caseygirl]

- I don't use much prepared sauce so very interesting on the sugar content - agreed that cherry tomatoes are sweeter - (just got the buy one get one free Nature Sweets at Safeway)
will give it another go as suggested - rose sauce ..not had that in sometime..

Thanks...

[TSAW]

I as unable to find this at Costco (NE) again, since my post last month. I suspect they aren't carrying it anymore as other Chowfriends noted. I did however, see on Saturday at Cookbook Company. They had a few different flavors. But it was so OVER PRICED, I laughed aloud. $13.99 a jar. As if.... I like it, but will NEVER pay that price for a jar.

[narloth]

I was at the Beacon Hill Costco this morning and they had the 2-jar packs in stock.

[felix the hound]

Chow hounds buying pasta sauce in jars. The irony.

[Leibowitz]

Ah, but with a celebrity chef endorsement, don't forget. It's very important.

[Scary Bill]

If a curiosity can be satisfied for a few bucks, why not.

[anonymoose]

Or, luck out and get a taste test for free. ;)

[Scary Bill]

Even better!

A buddy of mine used to go to Costco and graze for lunch.

[anonymoose]

Edmonton West end Costco had lots and lots and lots of these. They were even taste testing them.

Taste is indeed light and quality seems to be better than most jarred sauces... I found it a little sweet for my personal taste (not sickeningly sweet like candy, but a little too much cherry tomato sweet). The other person I was with liked it a lot.

[kati3]

Went to Edmonton North Costco yesterday (which I think is actually west) and bought a couple jars. Great taste!

[sidepockets]

None left at the Deerfoot Meadows Costco :(

[Scary Bill]

Yeah, went there too. But hey, they're selling two large tubs of Prego for under 6 bucks. A cheap way to get rid of a couple dozen unwanted guests.

[Bob Mac]

LOL....or break out the "home made "kit" wine"..............

[beggsy]

None left at Beacon Hill Costco either *sigh*.

[cdn]

Full pallet at DFM Costco this past Sunday, the 23.

[miss.foodie]

Limited quantities left at the NW Costco location. I was there tonight and there were probably about nine 2-jar packs left. They were $8.69 for the 2-pack. I agree it is delish!

[Beachy1]

I bought some when I was there last week. I haven't tried it yet, so good to know it's delicious. I think it was about $8 for the 2 pack.