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What is the best way to cook my Pastamoré pasta?

Key #1 – use a big pot and lots of water.  Seriously.  Big.  No sauce pans.  Nan recommends you to use a 12 quart stockpot – bigger is even better – to cook a 12 ounce package of our pasta.  The cooking pasta needs lots of room to swim and expand.  Too small of a pot and you will get variations in doneness and sticking.

Key #2 – add salt to the boiling water before you add the pasta.  This will not appreciably increase the sodium level in the finished product, but pasta does need seasoning.  Do NOT add oil at this point, save that for the drizzle of your favorite dipping oil at the end!

Key #3 – The suggested cooking times are on the package as a range – for example 4 to 6 minutes - and they will vary with the type and flavor of the pasta.  Everyone has their own preference for how done they like their pasta, so Nan recommends you stay by your pot and start tasting about a minute before the package indicates.  Once you get the pasta to the texture you are looking for, drain BUT leave a small amount of the boiling water in the pot.

Key #4 – Return the drained pasta to the same pot with the ¼ inch or so of the boiling water.  Now add the butter, blended olive oil or plain olive oil.  A little bit will go a long way, so add a little, taste, then add more if needed.  At this point if you can toss in another ingredient, like chicken, steamed vegetables, etc.  Plate it in pre-heated pasta bowls and you have yourself a fabulous flavorful and nutritious meal!

You can find more on this subject on our recipe blog by clicking here.


Do you have any suggested oils or recommendations on what to toss with your pasta?

We do!  We have published a handy one-page chart which you can review and print out from our Recipe Blog.  You can find that entry here.

Which, if any, of my Nan's products should be refridgerated?

Olive oils and balsamic vinegars should be stored in a dark pantry - and NOT refridgerated.  Same with the pasta products.  Our mustards and grill sauces are high enough in acidity that they can stay out of the fridge, but to retain flavor, we recommend they be refridgerated after opening.

What is a 'tapenade' and how do I use them?

Tapenades come to us from the Provençal region of France, and is most commonly served as a spread on crackers, crudités, or crostini.  We also use them with pasta, omelets and more.  Learn more about their uses on our recipe blog by clicking here.

How do I use white balsamic vinegar?

Think of 'white' balsamic vinegar as the lighter, more elegant cousin of a traditional dark balsamic.  Use white balsamic vinegar in salads and white sauces, on fish, vegetables ,french fries or in any dish where the taste of balsamic vinegar is desired, without the dark color or intensity of traditional balsamic.

How would heat affect your products?

It depends upon how high and for what period of time; however, even if the product should reach a temperature of 90 degrees or above, for several days, it will not be harmful. Exposure to high heat for several days could diminish the flavors; especially those of White Truffle, Garlic and Meyer Lemon.  Also, our tall bottles have cork stoppers, which - like wine - can leak at high temps.


What is the shelf life of your products?

If kept at room temperature, most of our product has a shelf life of 24 months.  Pasta is 18 months - but in reality, like any dried pasta, it can last much longer.  Olive oils are trickier - because they are 'extra virgin', they will lose their 'freshness' over time, even un-opened.  We recommend you use these in 6 to 18 months.


What is white balsamic vinegar?

White balsamic vinegar has the unique notes, nuances and complexities of traditional dark balsamic, but with the added properties of being lighter & more elegant, and of not discoloring salads and white meats. The closest analogy would be red wine versus white wine. Each one has a character that reflects its food dish. Our white balsamics were created due to the realization that the color and intensity of traditional balsamic vinegars tended to dominate more delicate dishes. Our white balsamic vinegars provide the velvety tartness associated with balsamic vinegar with the added benefit of a clean, light appearance. The mouth feel is smooth, energetic and light. One taste and the difference will be clear.


What would happen to the products if shipped/delivered and exposed to an extremely cold outside temperature? What would be the effect of freezing and subsequent thawing? Would the integrity of the products be compromised?

The only products you may have a problem with would be the Oils.  Sometimes, depending upon the length of exposure to freezing temperatures, the Oils can get cloudy or thick ~ which could also happen if refrigerated.  The majority of the time, however, once the Oils are at room temperature for a few days, or warmed, they return to normal.  In a few cases, the Oil can remain cloudy; however, it is not harmful; just affects appearance only.

How can I become a part of the Nan's Gourmet Foods family?


To become a distributor, or if you are interested in sales, contact Brad at brad@nansgourmetfoods.com.  We are actively looking for great foodies to join us up and down the west coast.

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