Italian Food Lovers

Today we have the pleasure to introduce to you a new product from the Academia Barilla product line: Academia Barilla Tuscan Soup (Zuppa alla Toscana), an easy to prepare dish that instantly brings to your table all the Tuscan food tradition and authenticity.

The Tuscan Soup is innovative mix of vegetables and cereals with the flavor of Mediterranean aromatic herbs to fully enjoy the pleasure of Tuscan cuisine in just 18 minutes of preparation, to match one of the most traditional Tuscan food experiences with the fast pace of modern life.

Academia Barilla Tuscan Soup is prepared, as tradition requires, with simple and authentic ingredients: red and yellow lentils and healthy cereals such as wheat and spelt (farro), with no GMS or preservatives added.

You just have to mix the content of the 3 bags included in the package to bring Tuscany on your table. The first bag contains a mix of pre-cooked vegetables and cereals ready to be put in a pot, the second the Tuscan aromatic herbs, a key ingredient to replicate the full flavor of Tuscan gastronomy tradition, while the final bag comes with a mix onions, carrots, garlic and tomatoes, the traditional Italian soffritto.

We will soon share with you some gourmet recipes where you can use the Academia Barilla Tuscan Soup, but we would like to spend a few words today on the main ingredients of the new Academia Barilla soup: lentils and spelt.

Lentils probably are one of the first vegetable cultivated in scale in the human history: traces were found in Turkish archeological sites from 5,500 B.C. and also in Egyptian graves from 2,500 B.C.

In ancient world lentils have been a very valuable good, the Old Testament reports a Bible episode where Esau sells his birthrights to his younger brother Jacob in exchange of a bowl of lentil soup.

Today in the Italian food tradition lentils are associated with good luck and are a must in the New Year’s Eve traditional menus.

Spelt, also known as emmer wheat (farro), was the most popular cereal in Ancient Rome. Its preparation was considered to be sacred, and Numa Pompilio created a special holiday in honor of farro, Fornacalia. Roman sacred Vestals used spelt mixed with salt (a mix called “mola salsa“) for their sacrifices up to the 4th century A.C. Farro in Ancient Rome was also “libum”, a focaccia with no yeast also used for offers to Gods.

We’ll be back soon with a great recipe with the new Academia Barilla Tuscan Soup!

As announced a couple of weeks ago in a press release and a blog posting here on Italian Food Lovers, Academia Barilla just launched a new series of Italian gourmet specialty foods that enrich the Academia Barilla gourmet product line, which is available at the best gourmet and specialty food stores across the United States and worldwide, and of course at the Academia Barilla online shop.

Today we want to focus on some products that will bring the flavors of Italy, the new Academia Barilla Italian Cheese Spreads, Pasta Toppings and Pesto Genovese, right to your table.

The new Academia Barilla Cherry Tomato Pasta Toppings come in two flavors: a mild and sweet variety and a spicy and sweet variety.

Both Sicilian recipes are authentic and offer a delicious succulent blend of naturally sun dried Pachino cherry tomatoes and include fresh basil; the spicy variety also contains hot chili peppers. Academia Barilla’s pasta toppings are very versatile as a base ingredient, and can also be used as bruschetta and pizza toppings, as well as for appetizers, focaccia, couscous, roasted fish and meat.

Academia Barilla’s Pesto Alla Genovese is a unique non-pasteurized fresh pesto direct from the Italian seaside town of San Remo in Liguria.

The freshest basil of the Riviera, top quality extra virgin olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano and whole pine nuts make this recipe tangy and sweet, perfect for a variety of dishes. This product is available exclusively at the Sur La Table online store.

The Academia Barilla range of spreadable Italian cheeses is the result of premium quality Italian cheeses of time honored tradition and culinary innovation to create authentic, unique combinations.

These spreadable cheeses are the ideal solution for quick and easy dishes. Offering a Parmigiano Reggiano D.O.P. variety and a Pecorino Sardo with Truffles and Porcini Mushrooms, these spreadable cheeses are a perfect addition to crackers, meats, pasta dishes, sandwiches, sauces and vegetables, and a new way to experience Parmigiano Reggiano and Sardinian Pecorino.

A product approved by the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium in Emilia Romagna, Italy, the Academia Barilla Parmigiano-Reggiano D.O.P. Cheese Spread brings to the Italian food lovers’ tables delicate notes of fresh milk, yogurt and honey, and a taste with intense sensation of Parmigiano-Reggiano. 

Academia Barilla also just launched a Pecorino Sardo, Truffles and Porcini Mushrooms Cheese Spread: this recipe brings food lovers the prestigious Bianchetto white Truffles and Porcini Mushrooms from Tuscany to celebrate Italian gourmet flavors.

Produced in Sardinia, Italy, the new Spreadable Cheese with Pecorino Sardo with Truffles and Porcini Mushrooms brings an aroma with delicate notes of fresh milk and cream, and the intense undertones of Truffles and Porcini Mushrooms. Its milky and sweet tones and the very well balanced aroma define a full round flavor for this new gourmet spreadable cheese, making it an ideal sauce to prepare Italian Rice and Pasta dishes. Also perfect spread on crackers and sandwiches, or melted on vegetables and grilled meats.

We will soon publish new gourmet recipes created by the Academia Barilla Chef Team with these new exciting Italian gourmet products, so stay tuned!