Ragu Goes Natural
Seems like everyone is getting on the “All Natural” bandwagon and I’m glad. Years ago when I couldn’t figure out why sometimes my children raged out of control for no apparent reason, I decided to try the Feingold diet of eliminating all preservatives and artificial flavors and colors. I did see a change in my children, though eating this way 100% of the time was not easy for our family. So we did the best we could, started buying organic and natural food products as much as we could and noted what set my kids off like Krispy Kreme donuts. My daughter goes absolutely out of control when she eats them so it’s a rare occasional treat.
When Mom Central asked me if I wanted to try Ragu’s All Natural pasta sauces in a pouch, at first I was hesitate. Being a full blooded Italian who makes her own sauce I rarely use pre-made sauces and when I do it’s usually Paul Newman’s because it’s all natural. But I was intrigued to find out more about Ragu.
My samples came and I stared at the giant sized Capri Sun looking pouches. Definitely something I’d have to get used to thinking pasta sauce was inside. But I liked what the package said. ALL NATURAL, NO PRESERVATIVES, NO SUGAR ADDED, FULL SERVING OF VEGGIES. On closer inspection the of the package it seemed simple and quick enough. Just clip the corner of the pouch, pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds pour and eat.
When I decided to use the sauces I was in a quandary about dinner and had forgotten them. My mother (who’s been living with us since January) suggested pasta and I remembered by samples. I’ve gotten away from heating plastic in the microwave so I poured on pouch in a dish and heated it up and then tried it there way.
The pouch method was quick and easy and I immediately thought it would be a great thing to take camping. I haven’t tried to heal it up in boiling water, but I don’t see why you couldn’t.
Then it was time for the taste test because no matter how easy something is to make, if it doesn’t take good, you’re not going to buy it again, right?
My Italian mother who never eats sauce at of a jar was going to be the toughest critic as were my plain pasta loving kids. My mom’s reaction “Not bad, but don’t tell my grandma!” Her really Italian grandma would watch the old pasta sauce commercials on tv and spit and gag, “Yuck, patooey!” My mom says pasta sauce has come a long way.
My kids seemed to enjoy it as well. We sampled the Traditional Tomato Basil which tasted sweeter )Ragu put acerola cherry concentrate listed as an ingredient) and less basily than we expected. The Garden Vegetable was my favorite of the bunch. I think the only downside to this product was the size. Two pouches barely feed our family.
What I think would be a great product is if somehow Ragu could package this sauce with pasta and do a microwave thing like the mac and cheese singles. I could really see this product used as an after school snack!
For more info. on this product visit Feed Our Kids Well.
