AD – Sponsored post. Pasta Evangelists have given me a special offer to share with my readers and I think you’ll approve! They send you all you need to make some gorgeous Italian pasta dishes at home: handmade pasta, lovely sauces and garnishes to top it all off. 5* dishes in 5 minutes, basically. Here’s your chance to try them from just £3. I’ll also get a FREE* box of pasta too, so it’s win-win! Claim yours.
As a lover of carbs and all things pasta based (more so anything delicious and Italian!) this week I’m sharing with you a great recipe box I was sent from Pasta Evangelists. Not heard of them before? They’re a UK based company who pride themselves on producing the ‘best fresh pasta and sauces to customers all across the UK’ – with much of their produce sourced from Italy but made here on our doorstep. I’ve worked with them several times on my blog, they’re pretty great.
After being told that the company appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2018, and also launched in the new Harrods Food Hall in November, naturally I had to see what all the fuss was about. On their website, it says: ‘We invite you to prepare a 5* pasta dish in just 5 minutes, impressing friends and delighting family.’ To be honest, at first I wasn’t sure whether this was just a great marketing ploy or whether the ingredients were genuinely that good. 5* you say?! It just sounded too easy and too stress free. I was waiting for the catch. But how hard can cooking pasta be, really?
The only downside was the cube-shaped box that my two recipes were delivered in. This meant that I couldn’t get my ingredients sent through my letterbox like the imagery suggests on the website. It didn’t spoil the experience per say but just meant I had to wait a touch longer until my neighbour was in to collect it. The packaging (with freeze blocks) meant the food and sauce was insulated properly and kept cold and fresh. On delivery you can keep produce in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
I’m pleased to say that the overall cooking process was flawless and the pasta had a fantastic texture. This first recipe was: Artisan Paccheri With Basil, Pesto Alla Genovese with Toasted Pine Nuts & Parmesan. It was in fact a fuss free, fast, and hearty meal which took around 8 minutes from start to mouth (after taking photos). Depending on appetite, recipe portions are big enough for one person – or can even be shared if you’re willing to do just that. But I seriously don’t think you’ll want to after you’ve tasted them.
Step 1
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil.
Step 2
Cook the paccheri in the boiling water for 6-8 minutes until ‘al dente’.
Step 3
Whilst the pasta cooks, put the pesto in a separate pan and cover with a lid until you hear it steaming. Add 1-2 tsp of boiling water from the pasta. Once fully steamed, turn off the heat.
Step 4
Lift the pasta out of the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to the pesto. Toss together with the parmesan and pine nuts. Buon appetito. It’s kind of idiot proof, if you think about it…
So it really is that easy. A great aspect about these pasta boxes is that they change each week on the subscriptions page, so you’re never likely to eat the same thing two weeks in a row. More so, if you’re going on holiday or don’t want pasta sent to you on a certain week of the month, you can cancel your plan for free. Prices of the subscriptions fluctuate depending on which club you sign up for. Variety boxes start at £15.90 per week, Vegetarian – £13.90 or Gourmet – £17.90. There are gluten free options available too.
It might seem a little on the pricey side for a recipe box, but don’t forget you receive two portions packed full of flavour. What’s more, you can guarantee the ingredients have been sourced from Italy, so top quality food is what makes this work. For what you lose in cash you make up quickly in time and these honestly are fantastic ‘quick and easy’ meals that requires minimum effort, and still taste incredible. The small recipe cards can also be saved up and put onto your fridge door if you’re feeling up to making a similar recipe in future. Wow your friends and family without giving away your secrets!
Pasta Evangelists Revisted 2020
This blog was first written at the start of 2019. Fast forward a whole year and the world has recently gone into lockdown. The Corona Virus has become a global pandemic and pasta from local supermarkets is scarce! The team at Pasta Evangelists were brilliant and kindly sent over some new recipes to try and share on my channels, including their Aromatic Lamb & Rosemary Lasagne with Slow-Cooked Ragù (£7.25) / Chicken & Pancetta Ravioli with Sage Butter (£7.80) / Orecchiette with Pistachio Pesto & Pistachio Crumb (vegan) (£7.25). This new vegan dish is delicious regardless of dietary preferences.
If you’re interested in trying out Pasta Evangelists as a subscription or even just once – be sure to use my unique code ‘EMMASTOKES10’ at check out and you will receive £10 off your first order over £13.
This post is sponsored by Pasta Evangelists. A recipe box was sent for reviewing purposes. All words and opinions are my own.