**Enter for a chance to win a 1-year supply of Catelli Healthy Harvest Ancient Grains Pasta – Details at the bottom of this post!**
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend an exclusive culinary event hosted by Catelli, specifically designed for dietitians and food bloggers. The evening’s highlight was the unveiling of their revolutionary new product: Catelli Healthy Harvest Ancient Grains pasta. This wasn’t just another product launch; it was a vibrant celebration of healthy eating, led by none other than the charismatic and renowned Chef Lynn Crawford. Many will recognize Chef Lynn from her appearances on popular shows like Pitchin’ In, Top Chef Canada, or Iron Chef America, and from her acclaimed restaurant, Ruby Watchco. With her infectious enthusiasm and delightful sense of humor, Chef Lynn orchestrated an evening filled with invaluable cooking tips, engaging demonstrations, and, most importantly, an abundance of delicious food tastings that truly showcased the versatility and taste of this innovative new pasta.
So, what makes this new Catelli Healthy Harvest Ancient Grains pasta so special? It’s a thoughtfully crafted blend of five distinct ancient grains, meticulously combined to deliver not only the robust fiber content of traditional whole wheat pasta but also the enhanced nutritional profiles unique to each of these remarkable grains. From the very first bite, I was genuinely impressed by its texture. The flours derived from these ancient grains are significantly finer than those typically used in pure whole wheat pasta, resulting in a product that strikes a perfect balance—offering a wholesome feel without the sometimes heavy texture of whole wheat, bridging the gap between whole wheat and traditional white pasta. If you’re not yet acquainted with these fantastic grains, here’s a closer look at what each one brings to your plate:
Spotlight on Ancient Grains: Nutritional Powerhouses
Each of the five ancient grains in Catelli’s new pasta offers a distinctive array of health benefits, contributing to a truly wholesome meal:
- Quinoa: Often hailed as a “superfood,” quinoa is celebrated for being one of the few plant-based foods that is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. It’s also exceptionally high in fiber, aiding digestion and promoting satiety, and rich in vital minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron. Furthermore, its low glycemic index helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, making it an excellent choice for sustained energy. Beyond pasta, quinoa is perfect in salads, as a rice substitute, or even for breakfast porridge.
- Amaranth: This ancient grain packs a powerful nutritional punch, mirroring quinoa in its richness of protein and all essential amino acids. Amaranth is particularly notable for its impressive mineral content, including calcium (making it beneficial for bone health), magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. Its slightly peppery, earthy flavor adds a unique dimension to dishes, and it can be used in everything from savory pilafs to nutrient-dense breakfast bowls.
- Teff: Originating from Ethiopia, teff is a tiny, poppy seed-sized grain with a robust nutritional profile. It’s an excellent source of protein and dietary fiber, crucial for muscle repair and digestive health. Teff is also remarkably high in calcium, making it a valuable addition for those looking to boost their bone density, and provides significant amounts of thiamin and iron. Its sweet, molasses-like flavor makes it a versatile ingredient, often used in traditional injera bread or as a thickening agent.
- Sorghum: This versatile grain is a global staple, prized for its drought resistance and impressive nutritional benefits. Sorghum is a good source of several B vitamins, including vitamin B6, riboflavin, and thiamin, which are essential for energy metabolism. It also provides a healthy dose of magnesium, important for muscle and nerve function. Naturally gluten-free, sorghum can be ground into flour, popped like popcorn, or cooked whole in various dishes.
- Millet: With its delightful nutty flavor, millet is a highly digestible and naturally gluten-free grain. It stands out for its high magnesium content, which plays a crucial role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production and nerve transmission. Millet is also a good source of niacin (vitamin B3), vital for skin health and digestion. It can be prepared as a fluffy side dish, added to stews, or even used in sweet porridges.
If you find yourself longing for culinary novelty and are bored with your usual kitchen repertoire, these ancient grains offer a fantastic opportunity to diversify your meals. They are superb on their own, serving as nutritious substitutes for rice or other grains in your favorite dishes. During one of Chef Lynn’s captivating demonstrations, we even had the chance to try popped sorghum. It was an absolute revelation! It looked remarkably like miniature popcorn, but with a uniquely rich, nutty flavor that was surprisingly satisfying. I’m definitely planning to introduce this exciting snack to my next movie night!
As the evening progressed, our taste buds embarked on a delightful journey. We sampled Chef Lynn’s exquisite marinara sauce, followed by a vibrant, fresh pesto prepared right before our eyes. The grand finale of the evening was a hands-on cooking experience in the state-of-the-art kitchens of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. There, we recreated her elegant Chilled Noodle Salad with Ginger and Wasabi Dressing. It was an invigorating challenge and a truly collaborative effort. Here’s a glimpse of me and my talented cooking partner, Vanessa Choot from Modern Mix Vancouver, fully embracing our inner chefs and bringing this delicious dish to life.
And here is the beautifully plated finished product…
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Chilled Noodle Salad with Ginger Wasabi Dressing
- Author: Lindsay Pleskot
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pkg (340 g) Catelli® Healthy Harvest® Ancient Grains Spaghettini
- 2 cups (500 ml) snow peas, thinly sliced diagonally
- 1 cup (250 ml) shelled edamame
- 1 small English cucumber
- 2 cups (500 ml) napa cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 cup (250 ml) red pepper, cut into matchsticks
- Green onions, thinly sliced (to taste)
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) cilantro leaves
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) black sesame seeds
Ginger-Wasabi Dressing
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) seasoned rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) canola oil
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
- 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest
- 2 tsp (10 ml) brown sugar
- 2 tsp (10 ml) sesame oil
- 1 tsp (5 ml) grated fresh ginger
- Wasabi to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain well. Rinse thoroughly under cold water until completely chilled; transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- In a separate pot of boiling water, cook the snow peas and edamame until they are tender-crisp. Drain and rinse them under cold water until well chilled; set aside.
- Meanwhile, halve the English cucumber lengthwise. Use the tip of a spoon to carefully scoop out and discard the seeds; then cut the cucumber halves into thin julienne strips.
- Ginger-Wasabi Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the seasoned rice vinegar, canola oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, brown sugar, sesame oil, and grated fresh ginger until well combined. Season with wasabi to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Add the prepared cucumber, snow peas, edamame, napa cabbage, red pepper, green onions, and sliced avocado to the large bowl with the chilled noodles. Pour enough dressing over the ingredients to coat them evenly, tossing gently to combine.
- Garnish the salad generously with fresh cilantro leaves and a sprinkle of black sesame seeds just before serving.
Notes
For optimal flavor and chill, refrigerate the noodle dish for 1 to 4 hours before serving, if time allows.
Per serving: 590 calories, 19 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 710 mg sodium, 84 g carbohydrates, 145 g fiber, 13 g sugar, 21 g protein.
Beyond the delicious tasting, Chef Lynn Crawford also generously shared her invaluable insights and practical advice for mastering the art of cooking with whole grain pasta. Here are her 10 Essential Tips for Cooking with Whole Grain Pasta, designed to elevate your pasta dishes to culinary perfection:
- Mastering Cooking Time for Al Dente Perfection: Achieving that perfect “al dente” texture is key to truly enjoying whole grain pasta. Always adhere to the cooking time recommendations provided on the package, as these are tailored for optimal results. For an extra touch of professional finesse, consider slightly undercooking your pasta by one to two minutes from the suggested time. Then, drain it and finish the cooking process directly in your warmed sauce. This technique allows the pasta to absorb more of the sauce’s flavor, creating a more cohesive and delicious dish.
- The Myth of Oil in Boiling Water: Contrary to popular belief, adding oil to your pasta water is entirely unnecessary and can even be detrimental to the final outcome of your dish. While many believe it prevents sticking, oil actually coats the pasta, hindering its ability to absorb the sauce effectively. Embrace the natural starchiness of your pasta; this starch is vital for helping the sauce cling beautifully to each strand, creating a harmonious culinary experience.
- Generous Water for Optimal Boiling: The size of your pot and the amount of water you use significantly impact the quality of your cooked pasta. Always opt for a large pot and use ample water—a general rule of thumb is one liter of water for every 100 grams of pasta. This generous volume provides sufficient space for the pasta to move freely, preventing sticking and ensuring uniform cooking. It also helps the water return to a boil faster after the pasta is added.
- Seasoning Like the Salty Sea: Proper seasoning begins with the cooking water. Add a liberal amount of sea salt to the boiling water before introducing your pasta. The water should taste noticeably salty, reminiscent of the sea. This ensures that the pasta absorbs flavor from within as it cooks, rather than relying solely on the sauce for taste. Don’t be afraid to taste the water to confirm it’s adequately seasoned before adding your pasta.
- Preserving Starch: Why Rinsing is a No-Go (for Hot Dishes): For hot pasta dishes, it is crucial to never rinse the pasta after cooking. Rinsing washes away the essential surface starch that is responsible for helping warm sauces adhere to the pasta. This starchy residue acts as a natural binder, ensuring that every strand is coated in delicious sauce. The only exception is when preparing cold pasta salads, where rinsing with cold water is necessary to halt the cooking process and cool the noodles.
- Harmony of Shapes and Sauces: Pairing the right pasta shape with the appropriate sauce is an art form. Delicate, thinner pasta shapes, such as angel hair or spaghetti, are best suited for light, smooth sauces like a classic marinara, creamy Alfredo, or a vibrant pesto. Conversely, heartier, ridged, or tubular shapes like penne, ziti, or rigatoni are ideal for capturing robust, thicker sauces with more texture, such as a rich ragu Bolognese or chunky vegetable sauces. The grooves and hollows of these shapes perfectly cradle the sauce.
- Embracing the Robust Texture for Cold Dishes: Whole grain pasta possesses a distinctively hearty and firm texture, making it an exceptional choice for cold or chilled recipes. Its robust nature holds up beautifully under refrigeration and allows it to marinate wonderfully in tangy vinaigrettes and dressings, absorbing flavors without becoming mushy. The inherent firmness of these noodles also provides an excellent foundation for pairing with a variety of crunchy and juicy fresh vegetables, creating satisfying and refreshing salads.
- Bold Flavors for a Nutty Base: The nutty, rich flavor profile of whole grain pasta is surprisingly versatile and can stand up to, and even enhance, other strong and complex flavors. Ingredients that marry particularly well with whole grain pasta include aromatic garlic, a hint of chili for warmth, savory anchovies, rich and herbaceous pesto sauces, and bitter or dark leafy greens such such as kale, Swiss chard, and radicchio. Experiment with these combinations to create depth and excitement in your dishes.
- Maintaining the Heat: Warm Serving Ware: To ensure your hot pasta dishes remain delightfully warm from the first bite to the last, always take the extra step of warming your serving plates or bowls. You can easily do this by placing them in an oven set to a low temperature (around 150-200°F or 65-95°C) just until you’re ready to serve. This simple trick prevents the pasta from cooling too quickly when transferred, guaranteeing a consistently enjoyable eating experience.
- Building a Flavorful and Nutritious Meal: Whole grain pasta serves as an exceptional and easy base for constructing healthy and truly satisfying meals. To maximize both nutrition and flavor, aim to incorporate a lean protein source (such as chicken, fish, legumes, or tofu), an abundance of fresh, colorful vegetables, and robust seasonings. Don’t shy away from fresh herbs, spices, and a drizzle of quality olive oil. These additions transform a simple pasta dish into a balanced, nutrient-dense, and deeply flavorful culinary creation.
So there you have it – a truly enriching and delicious evening spent with Catelli, Chef Lynn Crawford, and the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. If you’re inspired to try this new, nutrition-packed pasta and experience its exceptional taste and texture, you’re in luck! I’ve partnered with Catelli to offer one fortunate reader a year’s supply of Catelli Healthy Harvest Ancient Grains pasta. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to elevate your healthy cooking. Check out the contest details below and get ready to cook up some wholesome deliciousness!
**CONTEST DETAILS**
You can enter up to 3 times by following each of the options below!
- Subscribe to my free newsletter on lindsaypleskot.com (Look for the sign-up box on the right side of the page).
- Follow @lindsaypleskot on Twitter or like my Facebook page, and then share your favorite pasta dish you’d create with the hashtags #Catelli #HealthyHarvestAncientGrains.
- Tag a friend in the comments (each friend tagged in a separate comment counts as one entry).
The contest officially closes on Monday, April 13th. A lucky winner will be chosen at random and contacted directly on Tuesday, April 14th. Good luck to everyone, and happy healthy eating!