Have you ever tried pesto with lox? It’s a deliciously different taste sensation, as made today with today’s Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto.
I received this product for free from Moms Meet in order to post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided.
Who doesn’t love the convenience and flavor bump you get from jarred pesto, especially during the long Chicago winters we have around here? Pesto is one of those pantry staples that can elevate so many different meals; just a little goes a long way, and I try to keep a jar handy at all times.
Today, I tried Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto
I received a jar of Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto for review, and tried some out today on sourdough toast with smoked salmon + a little everything bagel seasoning. It spread easily and provided a nice change of pace from cream cheese, while still conveying the cool tang you’re looking for in contrast with the smooth, salty salmon.
How else can you use pesto? In so many ways! Just for instance:
- As a sauce, stirred into warm pasta or grains
- As a sandwich spread (I like mine with turkey!)
- As a marinade — great for sheet pan dinners & grilled veggies
- As a dip, with pita chips or pretzels
I also like to use pesto on homemade pizza, especially a nice veggie pizza: The salty tang offsets fresh vegetables so very nicely. A little goes a long way, too: About a tablespoon of sauce works well on a naan pizza, while one 6.2 oz jar is proportioned well for a 16 oz box of dry pasta.
What’s in Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto?
Today’s pesto was a little different than those I usually make or purchase. While Barilla does make the effort to prepare and jar their pesto quickly (in order to preserve the natural Italian basil color), and they use freshly grated Italian cheese, I was surprised by some of the added ingredients here. Be especially aware if you have a corn allergy in your household, or are avoiding products with added sugar.
Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto contains:
SUNFLOWER OIL, BASIL, CASHEWS, WHEY, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO CHEESE PDO (PART SKIM MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, GARLIC, BASIL EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORS, SUGAR, LACTIC ACID. CONTAINS: CASHEWS, MILK. MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF OTHER TREE NUTS.
(taken directly from the Barilla site)
You’ll find cashews here rather than the more traditional pine nuts, and Barilla has also substituted sunflower oil for the more traditional olive oil (listed only under 2% or less). To be honest, I would have preferred the nuttier, stronger flavor you get from pine nuts and olive oil; the creamy Genovese pesto is fairly mild.
Note that Barilla Creamy Genovese pesto also contains soluble corn fiber, speaking of ingredients you might not expect.
It does live up to its “creamy” moniker, however! This is a fairly thick pesto which needs little stirring. Enjoy yours right out of the jar, either cold as a spread or dip, or heated as a pasta or pizza sauce.
Where can you buy Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto?
If you’re intrigued by this pesto sauce, it’s available for purchase at SuperTarget, Publix, Stop & Shop, Meijer, ShopRite, Hy-Vee, Albertsons, Safeway, and more, at an MSRP of $3.29 per 6.2 oz jar.
Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto is imported from Parma, Italy. Be sure to refrigerate yours after opening, and it’s best consumed within 5 days after you open it.