Pasta a Cici

Pasta a Cici

Preparation time 1 hour

Servings 2 to 4 people

Ingredients

1 tin whole peeled tomatoes

1 tin chickpeas

80ml extra virgin olive oil

1 carrot

1 white onion

2 stick celery

3 cloves garlic

1 sprig rosemary

170g dried small pasta

1.5 l vegetable stock

50g Parmesan

100g spinach

Salt and pepper

Method

1.

Rinse the chickpeas and drain well set aside

2.

In a pan heat the olive oil up on a medium heat, add the onion, carrot garlic and celery, sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent

3.

Add the Rosemary sprigs and season with salt and pepper. Add the tinned chickpeas along with the tinned tomatoes and stock

4.

Bring to a gentle simmer for ten minutes

5.

Carefully remove 2 ladles of the soup leaving behind the rosemary and blend until smooth and creamy

6.

Return the blended mixture to the soup, add the pasta and cook for ten minutes until the pasta is cooked adding water if the mixture is too thick

7.

Once the pasta is cooked turn the heat off and add the spinach and allow to wilt from the heat of the pan

8.

Finish with a generous grating of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

Mutti Passata Flat Breads

Preparation time 1

hour

Servings 2 to 4 people

Ingredients

1 jar Mutti Passata

3 cloves garlic thinly sliced

1 tsp dried oregano

75g feta

Flat bread

200g self-raising flour

200g full fat yoghurt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp olive oil

1 to 2tbps warm water

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 tsp sugar

Method

1.

Preheat the oven to 200°C

and place a flat baking tray upside down in the oven to heat up

2.

In a bowl combine the yoghurt, flour, salt, sugar and bring together to form a scraggy dough. Turn onto a clean floured work surface and knead until it just comes together, around 2 minutes. If the dough feels very dry add the water

3.

Return the ball of dough back into the bowl and cover and set aside to rest for 20 minutes

4.

Next prepare the salsa chop all the ingredients and mix with the olive oil and vinegar and season with salt, alternatively you can put everything in a small blender and blend until smooth

5.

Divide the dough into 4 sections and roll each piece of dough into a rough ball. Take a sheet of greaseproof paper and rub lightly with oil. Roll each dough ball as thin as possible, dusting flour on the surface so the dough doesn’t stick the rolling pin

6.

Spread a thin layer of passata all over the surface, followed by the garlic and crumbled feta. Drizzle with olive oil and roll the edges in to make a crust

7.

Lift the sheet of greaseproof onto the preheated tray and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until its beautifully golden and crisp

8.

Finish with a drizzle of the zingy green salsa

Green salsa

1 large bunch of soft herbs; basil, parsley, coriander, chive, mint

1 clove garlic

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small shallot

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

That's Food and Drink would like to thank professional chef, foodie influencer and restaurant owner Gabriella Margiotta for allowing us to share some of her simple Italian meals that are perfect for the whole family, also our thanks to Mutti.

Top tomato brand Mutti hunts for UKs top tomato cooks!

Top Italian tomato brand, Mutti, is delighted to launch its 2023 edition of the Golden Tomato Cook Competition.

This amazing yearly culinary event is aimed at celebrating all things tomato and the exceptional quality and taste of its Italian tomato products. 

To launch the search for the UK’s best tomato cook, Mutti has revealed the fascinating results from its chef survey, shedding light on their perceptions, and preferences when it comes to tomato-based ingredients. 

The eye-opening facts challenge common beliefs about tomatoes but also highlight the importance of quality, taste, and sustainable practices in the culinary world.

Kirsty Beckman, who is the Brand Manager UK for Mutti says: “It's an exciting time of year for Mutti where we begin our yearly search for our next Golden Tomato Cook. 

"To celebrate this, we thought it was a great chance to see what chefs in the UK think about tomatoes. We've unveiled some really surprising results from the survey, including tomato myths and insightful preferences. 

"We’re now calling all tomato enthusiasts to unearth the chef within them and join Mutti's Golden Tomato Cook Competition, 2023. 

"We're calling on them to show us their creative flair and craft a spectacular three-course menu featuring our Polpa Finely Chopped Tomatoes, Peeled Tomatoes, Passata, and Double Concentrated Tomato Puree. 

"With esteemed judges and remarkable prizes, this is their chance to shine. Enter now at cooking competition entry page and let your passion for great food and cooking take the spotlight!"

Tomatoes are the Indispensable Ingredient

The survey uncovered the essential ingredients chefs simply can't live without, and unsurprisingly, tomatoes and/or tomato products secured the top spot at 44%. This reaffirms the integral role Mutti's tomatoes play in elevating dishes to new heights. Salt and/or Pepper, and Olive Oil came second and third respectively.

The Fruit That Masquerades as a Vegetable

Surprisingly, 55% of chefs confessed to misidentifying tomatoes as vegetables, when in fact, they are really  fruits. This stunning admission shows even amongst chefs there's still much to learn and love about the not-so-humble tomatoes.

The survey further showcased that whilst 44% of chefs acknowledged the centuries-old (over 500 years in fact) heritage of Italian tomatoes, only half of them were aware the famous San Marzano tomatoes exclusively hail from the Campania region, adding a delightful layer of historical context to the chef's staple.

Also, 51% of chefs correctly recognised the presence of lycopene in tomatoes, known for its considerable and important health benefits; a powerful antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage. This highlights the importance of not only taste but also the nutritional value of ingredients in modern culinary creations.

Tomato Quality is Key!

When it comes to tomato-based ingredients, the top three factors that matter the most to chefs are quality (42%), product size (36%), and flavour and/or great taste (35%). This indicates that Mutti's commitment to providing premium quality tomatoes is aligned with the priorities of culinary professionals, who value excellence in ingredients above all else.

The Global Tomato Perspective

Another fascinating insight revealed the top countries perceived by chefs to produce the best quality tomatoes include Italy, India, and the USA. Italy's inclusion in the top three enhances the Golden Tomato Cook Competition, as Mutti is proud to showcase the unrivalled quality of its tomato products, made using only the highest quality 100% Italian tomatoes, as well as the products’ unique flavour profile and taste.

The Conscientious Chef

The survey also delved into ethical considerations of chefs when selecting ingredients. Over half of the chefs surveyed (51%) stressed the importance of responsibly and fairly sourced ingredients, with 57% emphasising the need for ingredients from reputable and known brands. 

This aligns with Mutti's dedicated commitment to sustainable working practices including protecting the diversity and vitality of the environment to ensure long term sustainability, which Mutti continues to educate on the importance of, for longevity and the best tomato product. Mutti also focuses on long term relationships with their farmers, paying an average 10% higher than the market average to ensure mutually beneficial relationships.

But what's more, 55% of chefs agreed ingredients must be of the best quality, something Mutti has been uncompromising on for over 120 years. The fact that 54% of chefs emphasised the significance of great taste and/or flavour reaffirms one of the central focuses of the Golden Tomato Cook Competition.

The search of the UK’s Golden Tomato Cook is now on!

Mutti's 3rd Golden Tomato Cook Competition is here, paying homage to the revered Pomodorino d'oro, where Mutti rewards the farmer who supplies the highest quality produce whilst also using sustainable and responsible practices.

Mutti's cooking contest celebrates sustainable excellence and invites home cooks to craft the ultimate three-course menu with Mutti Essentials - Polpa Finely Chopped Tomatoes, Peeled Tomatoes, Passata, and Double Concentrated Tomato Puree.

Enter with a starter, main, and bonus dish of your choice, with each recipe highlighting a different Mutti Essential and its unique characteristics. The esteemed judging panel, which includes top chefs Carlo Casoni, Nigel Barden, Ben Tish, and Gabriella Margiotta, will assess dishes based on taste, presentation, and above all, making tomatoes the hero. 

Public vote shortlists five menus, and the final three compete in a live cook off at Sauce, by The Langham in London on 19th October 2023. The grand prize is an exclusive foodie trip to Parma, Italy,  the home of Mutti, along with mentorship from Chef Ben Tish. 2nd prize is a virtual cooking class with Mutti head chef, Carlo, and the 3rd prize is a 3-course meal for 2 at Eataly restaurants. 4th and 5th place winners will receive a produce hamper from Mutti.

Contestants have until 23:59 on 26th September 2023 to create and submit their menus online, so there is no time to lose, get creating and get your entries in. To enter, visit https://mutti-parma.com/en/golden-tomato-cook-2023-entry/ where you'll be able to discover recipe inspiration and tips too. Terms and conditions apply.

(Pictures: provided by Mutti)

https://mutti-parma.com