With these I am definitely a Masterchef (Loyd Grossman Pasta Sauce's)

Member Name: MandyMinx

Product:	Loyd Grossman Pasta Sauce's
Date:	08/12/03 (217 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick , Versitile, Tasty

Disadvantages: cheating

Don't sit there pretending that you don't know who Loyd Grossman is. I know that you are old enough to remember him nosying around peoples houses, making fun of their furniture and inviting you to guess "Who lives in a house like this" (Mandy coughs and splutters as she tries to get her voice deep enough to do a good impression.) Personally if he looked through my keyhole I'd poke his eyes out.
Loyd is also well know for presenting Masterchef. I don't think that they do Masterchef anymore, but as a child I used to love it.(I lived a very sheltered life.)
Loyd Grossman is perhaps less well known as a writer on food design topics. (He is also a Commissioner of English heritage and vice President of The sick children's Trust) So as you can see he is a very busy guy. I wonder where he finds the time to pour all these pasta sauces into Jars.

There are a variety of Loyd Grossman sauces but for this review, I am going to tell you about the tomato and Basil.


The sauce comes in a jar. If you are familiar with my opinions then you will know that I am not a fan of ' busy' labels and prefer simpler, more chic designs. The label for this jar fits that bill nicely.
A burgundy lid, with a fancy letter 'G' on it is complemented by a cream coloured label with the sauce name and a short description 'A classic sauce of sun- ripe tomatoes with garlic and basil '
I think it is becoming standard practise for companies to cover their backs by adding that new nut statement 'Produced in a factory that handles peanuts, nuts and sesame seeds '. (Makes me wonder if our little nut allergic friends will be able to eat anything in future years.)

This sauce is gluten free though and fine for all your veggie friends.

Looking down the list of ingredients though, I am delighted to see no mention of artificial colourings, sweeteners or additives of any kind. Now that has to be a big
p
lus and I can already feel a big thumbs up for Mr Grossman. I worry very much about the food that I am serving up for my family and try very hard to make everything from fresh ingredients, but its so time consuming and I can suddenly see endless possibilities with this product.

The only thing that would put me off the label of this product is the picture of Loyd, grinning cheekily at me. Now I would welcome a picture if the guy was a hunk but he is a balding middle aged man, its enough to put you off your pasta. I am however willing to forgive this inclusion because I am still impressed with the pure ingredients within this sauce.


You can see the sauce through the jar. It has great colour and a great texture and it looks as fresh as it claims to be. If I look closely I can see some of the ingredients, the black pepper and of course the basil. I can also see a thin layer of what I assume is Olive Oil on the top of the sauce, a definite sign that this sauce is fresh.

Taking off the lid and the smell is lovely. Very fresh, very tomatoey.
I was right that is Olive Oil on the top of the jar.
The texture as you pour this out is just right and to be perfectly honest it couldn't look more natural if I had just made it myself, which is something I could have done but for a lot more money. (Have you seen the price of sun - dried tomatoes?) Look at the time I have saved too.


So that I can describe the taste easier I have just tossed this sauce in with a pan of pasta I have boiling. A cheap, quick meal I am sure you will agree, but it doesn't taste cheap and it doesn't look like I have made it in 15 minutes.
The sauce tastes completely home made. The basil is instantly recognisable but it does not mask the sweet taste of the tomatoes. The is lemon juice in the recipe and yet unlike some pasta sauces there is no acidic aftertaste, nor does it taste like tomato puree with added herbs. (Yes I have tried th
ose ch
eap sauces too.)
Delicious. I can't wait to taste some of the other varieties on offer in this range.



Well I think you know what I am going to say. Mr Loyd Grossman you are a genius.
Never again when I watch re runs of Masterchef on UK Style will I can you ' a pompous know it all' who should shut up and let the real chefs talk.
Thank you for giving us mum's something really good and wholesome to give our children when we are in a hurry.
This is a versatile little sauce too. Great for using as a base for bolognaise or lasagne and again I would say...Think of the time you would save.

These precious jars are on special at my local Morrison's store. I paid just 98p for my 350g jar, usually they are £1.55, but I wouldn't consider that a big price to pay after trying this sauce.


On the bottom of the jar is a statement form my new found best friend....It says .....I made them so you wouldn't have to.

I am very quick to reply...."Thank you oh great one....Now lets have you branching out and bringing this fresh approach to other sauces."

Summary: