The Great Pantry Makeover in O Magazine’s January 2009 issue, lists the “new essentials” and “basics” that every kitchen should have.  Aurora Importing prides itself in their affordable and traditional staples that have graced many a pantry and table for over 50 years – imagine our excitement when most of the essentials and basics listed were products that we import!  Take a look below at an excerpt of these items:

The New Essentials

• Italian Tuna packed in olive oil in cans or jars, it’s outstanding in countless recipes.  Our Mare Nostro Tuna in Olive Oil, as well as our Allessia Tuna in Olive Oil, are wonderful in salads, pastas, sandwiches and more – tuna is no longer only for mayonnaise.
• Passata Di Pomodoro is perfect as a base for sauces to serve with pasta and meat dishes.  Aurora Tomato Puree is made from San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the Campania region in Italy and coveted for their sweet and tart flavour.
• Mediterranean Olives from Greek Kalamata to Italian Infornate (sun dried) to California Green, Aurora Importing offers a wide variety of olives to please even the most discerning palette.  Not only do olives make the perfect party snacks, they add extra juiciness and tang to pastas, stews and seafood.
• Chick Peas a versatile staple, Aurora Chick Peas are ready to serve – simply drain, rinse and toss with olive oil, vinegar (wine or balsamic) and sea salt for a protein-filled snack or add them to sauces, salads and spreads for some Mediterranean flair.
• Capers in Salt more flavourful than basic varieties, Allessia Capers in Salt add a briny element to pasta sauces, seafood or spreads – just make sure to rinse them first.

The Basics

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil, Sea Salt, Vinegar (balsamic and wine), Assorted Pasta Cuts, Rice (Arborio/Italian), Kidney Beans, Black Beans, Walnuts & Almonds, Oregano