Pea of Sweetness

Cooking with Colavita – Mixing Things Up! #MomsLoveColavita

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It’s no secret I love Italian food. I’m pretty sure my love of Italian food is rubbing off on our children as well, which is good for me because that means I can make it more often! The problem is, though, I’ve kind of gotten stuck in a rut. I like all sorts of Italian food yet I seem to always use the same ingredients and recipes over and over again. I was in desperate need of expanding and trying new things! I was thrilled for the chance to try the Colavita Simply Italian Gift Basket!
Colavita logo
Disclosure: I participated in this event on behalf of Wendy’s Bloggers for Colavita. I received Colavita products to facilitate my review. Regardless, all opinions are my own and those of my family.
Colavita is a family-owned olive oil and Italian food brand that offers a variety of great Italian foods and oils. When I received my Colavita Simply Italian Gift Basket, I couldn’t wait to open it up and check out everything! It’s not only chock full of goodies, but it comes nicely packaged as well! This automatically made me thing “What a perfect gift!”
Cooking with Colavita
The Colavita Simply Italian Gift Basket includes:

  • Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Colavita Balsamic Vinegar
  • Cirio Crushed Tomato with Basil
  • Colavita Eggplant & Sweet Peppers
  • Colavita Olive Bruschetta
  • Colavita Marinara Sauce
  • Colavita Tomato Basil Sauce
  • Colavita Penne Rigate
  • Dal Raccolto Capellini
  • Dal Raccolto Orchiette
  • Almond Cantuccini

All of this for just $75! What a great value, right? I was excited by the possibilities! The best part is they also offer a complete recipe library, so if you’re stuck in a rut like I have been, inspiration is at the click of the mouse! I got to try my hand at a new Italian Recipe from Colavita!

Eggplant and Sweet Pepper Veggie Pasta (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil OR 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 jar Colavita Eggplant and Sweet Peppers
  • 1 pound Colavita Pasta
  • ½ jar Colavita Marinara Sauce
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese

The only substitution I made was using shredded cheese versus grated cheese because we moved recently, and I haven’t found all of my kitchen utensils yet!
Preparation:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Heat 2 tbsp Colavita Olive Oil in large skillet over medium-low heat.
(These can be done simultaneously, which I always love to do! Being a busy mom, I’m all about being efficient!)
Cooking with Colavita Italian Recipe
3. Add the garlic and sauté, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the jar of Eggplant and Sweet Peppers and simmer for another 3 minutes to release the flavors.
4. Add the ½ jar of Colavita Marinara (or Tomato Basil) Sauce and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally to incorporate all the flavors.
5. When the water boils, add the pasta, stirring to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions.
Colavita Italian Recipe
6. Drain pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water and transfer the pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Using tongs, mix the pasta into the sauce well.
7. If the sauce seems dry, feel free to add a little of the pasta water.
8. Season with salt and pepper and serve with grated Parmesan cheese and basil.
Colavita Veggie Pasta Recipe
Voila! A tasty dish the whole family loves! Even our picky 4 year old gobbled it up! This recipe takes pasta from drab to fab! It really has a lot of flavor, the texture of the pasta was wonderful, and I was truly impressed with the quality and taste of the Colavita products. We also complemented our meal with the Almond Cantuccini, which is a crunchy, tasty treat!
Of course, I still have more to use, and I can’t wait! Upon browsing on the Colavita website I also discovered they offer organic and gluten-free pastas as well!
I love the history of Colavita and love that they offer quality products the whole family can enjoy!

For More Information:

Visit the Colavita Website
Connect with Colavita on Facebook and Twitter

*Giveaway!!*

How would you like to win a Colavita Simply Italian Basket? This giveaway will run through December 13, 2014 at 10pm Central Time and is open to US residents ages 18+. Enter the giveaway now!!
 

Comments

  2. Jennifer Heintz says

    You are right, who wouldn’t want to receive such a lovely,useful gift. Especially nice that access to their recipes. Getting an assortment of items in that basket would truly inspire you to create something new. Thanks for review.

  3. SallyT says

    Wow what a great review and recipe too.
    I would be very anxious to try so many of their products.

  4. joan tazisalady says

    This is a great giftbasket, my mom loves anything pasta so can make her some great meals with this.

  6. Marthalynn says

    I’ve always loved Colavite olive oil, but had no idea they offered such a selection of products! Eggplant & peppers, pasta, marinara sauce?!? Why am I just now finding this out? I can’t wait to try them.

  7. Cynthia C says

    The recipe looks perfect. I use olive oil almost exclusively and have recently started trying it for baked goods.

  12. Tina Herek Wylie says

    Very nice review. I love the collection of Artisanal Pasta this company caries as well. Look forward to trying their products.

  13. Barrie says

    I love that recipes are supplied online with their products. I love the eggplant recipe you made…it sounds and looks awesome!

  14. Susan Broughton says

    That recipe sure looks delicious! I bet this company would have some really italian products

  15. polly says

    I have not tried their products but going to look for them when I go shopping. Love making Italian food!

  16. Jane Ritz says

    These products sound great. The recipes sound absolutely delicious. I hope to get the opportunity to these.

  17. Teresa Richards says

    What a wonderful review. I love eggplant and the recipe sounds like something I would so enjoy. I have used Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil before and loved it. I have not had a chance to use any of the other wonderful products, they offer. This would be an awesome gift. Thanks for sharing with us.

  18. terra says

    This is a great giveaway… the products look so tasty. I like the combo of the eggplant and peppers… I have not had that combo before.

  19. Tami F. says

    I would love to try the Colavita Eggplant & Sweet Peppers because this would simplify a number of Italian meals.
    Everything in this gift package looks delish.

  23. Jane Wohlers says

    Wow, looks delicious. I would love to show my Italian side of the family I can cook too.

  25. Rosanne says

    The only time I’ve ever had eggplant was in Eggplant Parmesan. This is a great way to incorporate this healthy vegetable.

  26. Carol L says

    I have used Colavita for years.I love everything about their products. Thanks for this delicious recipe and the pictures. It looks delicious.
    Carol L

  27. Sue Hull says

    Their Extra Virgin Olive Oil looks so good. This recipe looks amazingly delicious. I pinned it so I can make it sometime. I’ve never tried any of their products before. Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂

  29. Ruth Griffeth says

    I love the recipe that you have above, I will definatly try it. I am the only one who will knowingly will eat eggplant, so this will be a attempt to get them to eat it.

  36. Sonal says

    I have never used Colavita products before. I’m sure I must have walked past it at the grocery store a million times by now, but I have never noticed it before. But, your pasta looks absolutely DELICIOUS, so I will have to check out some of these products.