Fresh Artisan Pasta via ‘Pasta Evangelists’ paired with Italian Fizz

Arguably, Italy holds some of the world’s best gastronomy delights and finest wines. For many of us, Italian food will conjure up thoughts of pizza and pasta, two highly popular dishes that for sure appear in nearly everyone’s weekly diet. Variations of pizza and pasta are quite limitless which enables us to enjoy a variety of flavours and styles from vegan to those with healthy fish and seafood. It is not all simply pepperoni pizza and spaghetti bolognese.

With regards to wine, Italy is a treasure chest of amazing examples from deep oaky reds to fresh and fruity sparkling labels. Regional names such as Prosecco, Trento, Chianti, Barolo, Franciacorta and many more originate from Italy with wines being produced in the very northern mountainous areas right down to the sunny south, including Sicily.

Pasta Evangelists

I recently attended an Italian wine tasting in London and as I was travelling back on the London Underground I noticed an advertisement from a company called Pasta Evangelists which showcased some fine looking pasta dishes which are available for home delivery – I soon opened up Twitter on my mobile and sent over a message to engage with them. Not long after that we received a package at our offices…

 

I have been very lucky in that over the last few years I have visited Italy fifteen times and had detailed tours of many of its splendid wine regions. Though some may say this is thirsty work, wine tasting will also make you hungry and what better country to be in to enjoy fine food than Italy – It really is a dream destination if fine and fresh food are what you love. I have enjoyed many a memorable dish from the menu and many times this will involve pasta, I know very well how versatile this food can be and the wide range of styles / types / flavours that can be produced.

“Italy is said to produce around 3.2 million tonnes of Pasta every year.” Pasta UN.A.F.P.A

Let us be honest, dried pasta at the supermarket that you simply boil in the pan is where we can start if we want a pasta dish – Many sauces in a jar are available to us also. If you want to jump up a level then you can purchase fresh pasta or maybe you might wish to visit your local Italian restaurant, then again you might be lucky enough to have a ticket to Italy and will be able to enjoy pasta in situ or if you have played your cards right in life then you could even have friends or family who are Italian and they can wow you with their home cooking…

What about if you want the convenience of a prepared and easy to make fresh pasta dish at home whilst leaving the creativity and ingredients to the experts?

 

“The UK has a £3.8 billion pasta industry” Private Equity Wire

Pasta Evangelists is a new company who are taking the pasta world by storm, yes it may be pasta via the post, but it is a lot more than just a packet of dried pasta – This company has pasta and cuisine as it’s main focus, providing easy to prepare and cook pasta dishes that will replicate exactly what you’d be served at Italian fine dining restaurants. Receive your order by postal delivery, open up the chilled parcel of ingredients and follow the simple colour coded guide for the ingredients shown in the included recipe book and in next to no time you will have a dreamy Italian pasta dish ready to serve up.

 

You can choose from meat to seafood and vegetarian to gluten-free, if you want a fine pasta dish then it is only a simple click away.

Did someone mention Italian Sparkling Wine?

We just had to visit our growing wine cellar and pick out three Italian Sparkling Wine beauties to pair with the three dishes that Pasta Evangelists sent us and what better examples are there than Prosecco (Asolo), Franciacorta and TrentoDOC.

 

Tenuta Amadio Asolo Prosecco DOCG Extra Dry 2018: “Plenty of fruity and floral aromas. White peach and pear mostly expressed. Rounded fruit flavours. Though an extra dry, it is not overly sweet and shows orchard fruits and yellow blossom with white pear that all delight the palate.”

 

Lantieri Franciacorta Cuvée Brut NV: “A touch of burnt toast, apricot and creamy green fruits on the nose. Clean fruity flavours. Green fruits, white blossom, minerals and a creamy pastry hint.”

 

Cantina Rotaliana R Riserva Brut 2011 Trentodoc: “Caramel, toffee, hints of coffee / cocoa, ripe golden fruits on the nose. You are so very tempted to taste! Flavours are ever so pleasing. Golden fruits, touch of tropical, butter croissant with soft citrus in the background. Leave it to breathe in the glass and it will evolve to amaze you.”

Food pairing notes:

 

Orecchiette with Pistachio Pesto and Pistachio Crumb (Vegetarian) paired with the Tenuta Amadio Asolo Prosecco: “Pear and yellow apples initially then a touch of marzipan followed by soft flavours from the dish. The palate is nicely cleansed and you get the best from both the dish and the wine.”

 

Carbonara of Dreams with Fresh Sedanini and Crispy Pancetta paired with the Lantieri Franciacorta Brut NV: “Initial dry zesty burst then on to the silky, creamy flavours from the dish. A touch over expressive from the wine initially for my liking, but the dish has enough sustenance to it to tone down the drier flavours. Enjoying the wine well chilled helps to improve the pairing.”

 

Lobster Crab and Prawn Tortelloni with Grissini Crumb Samphire and Sage Butter paired with the Cantina Rotaliana R Riserva TrentoDOC: “A smooth dry honey flavour takes you on to creamy lobster in the length with a soft dry finish. Both the dish and the wine are a privilege to have on the table.“