topic Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto? in Kitchen

Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

Enufstuff — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 19:08:23 GMT

My family loves Rao's spaghetti sauces and while shopping, I

saw Rao's Pesto on sale.

I bought a jar, thinking that it would probably be good.

Last night we tried it on tricolor spiral pasta and we did not love it. We added a little olive oil to it and it was palatable.

My hairdresser owns olive groves in Greece and his olive oil

is the best I ever had. That saved our dinner.

The ingredients of Rao's Pesto are: Basil, Sunflower Oil,

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Cashews, Sea Salt, Sugar, Potato Flakes, Pine Nuts, Dried Glucose Syrup, Garlic &

Lactic Acid.

We really don't care to have it again. When I can get fresh

basil or grow some in summer, I'll just make my own as always.

My ingredients are: Basil, Olive Oil, Toasted Pine Nuts,

Parmesan Cheese and Garlic. ( I don't add salt, since I have high blood pressure.)

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

kate2357 — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 19:39:47 GMT

I had to go look at the label to see if I had ever had it ... and no, I haven't had the Rao product. I've had the Rana pesto, which I do not like either. I also make my own pesto sauce as I grow my own basil plants. I use the same items as you, except I do add kosher salt. We have pesto quite often and it's so easy to make.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

hopi — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 19:41:54 GMT

Just purchased the Rao's marinao and it was excellent.

Thanks for the heads up about Pesto.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

ECBG — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 19:56:52 GMT

I am surprised this line's pesto wasn't good since the Fresh Market carries Rao's. The tomato sauce varieties are well loved.

The best purchased pesto I have had is from Sams.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

kate2357 — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 20:35:46 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
I am surprised this line's pesto wasn't good since the Fresh Market carries Rao's. The tomato sauce varieties are well loved.

The best purchased pesto I have had is from Sams.

Some of the ingredients would not be found in a fresh pesto: no sunflower oil (olive oil is used), no cashews, no sugar, no potato flakes, no glucose syrup and no lactic acid. It's jarred vs fresh and some of these ingredients are just inexpensive fillers. IMO.

Basil, Sunflower Oil, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Cashews, Sea Salt, Sugar, Potato Flakes, Pine Nuts, Dried Glucose Syrup, Garlic &

Lactic Acid.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

phoenixbrd — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 22:22:26 GMT

You just can't beat mother nature.....yes, the fresh pesto rules! We rarely eat processed food, but I have been known to use Rao's marinara from time-to-time....good for store bought.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 22:32:26 GMT

The RAO's pesto sauce has a several ingredients we prefer not to eat. I've always like the Kirkland brand in the refrigerator case at Costco but not entirely happy with that anymore. I need to do some research and learn how to make my own.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

Enufstuff — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:04:28 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch It is not difficult. I use a food processor. It

just takes a little time. Wash & dry the basil first and pine nuts taste better toasted little.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

wagirl — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 14:29:55 GMT

I have and it was not good---nothing beats home made pesto---I make mine when I need some and then freeze whats left. and I use spinach with the basil. I love basil but using all basil in pesto, to me, is way too much, so I add in the fresh spinach. cuts down on the cost of fresh basil especially in the off season.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

Still Raining — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 15:48:33 GMT

Had to laugh - sugar AND "dried glucose syrup". Pesto should not be sweet.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

Enufstuff — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:11:16 GMT

@wagirl That is a good idea to use spinach when basil is out of season.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

Enufstuff — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:16:53 GMT

@Still Raining If I had read the ingredients first, I doubt that I would have purchased it. Since their other products were so good, I

assumed they would only use high quality ingredients in the pesto. I had not even considered that these cheaper and filler

ingredients would have been used in such a classic simple recipe.

Surprisingly, it did not taste sweet, even with sugar

and glucose syrup. It must have been only a small amount. I

think that the entire jar was only a little over 5 ounces.

It is something that I would never purchase again.

Home made is best.

Re: Has anyone tried Rao's Pesto?

Still Raining — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 16:53:57 GMT

@Enufstuff wrote:
@Still Raining If I had read the ingredients first, I doubt that I would have purchased it. Since their other products were so good, I
assumed they would only use high quality ingredients in the pesto. I had not even considered that these cheaper and filler
ingredients would have been used in such a classic simple recipe.

                 Surprisingly, it did not taste sweet, even with sugar
and glucose syrup. It must have been only a small amount. I
think that the entire jar was only a little over 5 ounces.

                 It is something that I would never purchase again.

                  Home made is best.

They seem to be out to trick us!

Really!!! Not even olive oil 😩