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At the mere mention of spring, my husband pulls on shorts and my kids start asking when the outdoor swimming pools are going to open. The mercury in the thermometer is creeping up (well…actually, the numbers on the digital weather station in the kitchen are increasing…modern day stuff, you know) and despite the snow that still blankets the nearby mountains, the kids are begging to eat outside.
For our first outdoor picnic of the year, I wanted something easy. A dish we could scoop into bowls and cup in our hands as we nestled together on our threadbare picnic blanket sounded perfect. That’s how this quick and easy ravioli, tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, arugula and hazelnuts came to be.
Dreaming up our first picnic meal of the season came rather easily. There was a supply of Monterey Gourmet Foods™ products sitting in my fridge, set aside for a day when I wanted something really tasty that didn’t require a lot of energy or brainpower to make. Thinking of what to make for dinner really is half the battle, isn’t it?
With a base of Roasted Chicken and Mozzarella Ravioli to work from, the pieces started to fall into place without much effort. I could have easily tossed the ravioli with some of Monterey Gourmet Foods Basil, Almond and Pine Nut Pesto and some fresh vegetables for a delicious, healthy meal. However, pesto had been on the menu the night before and I wanted something a little different.
There were a couple of handfuls of arugula left over from our meal of Baked Tilapia with Arugula & Walnut Pesto and Toasted Breadcrumbs that needed to be used. I tossed the arugula, some sliced sun-dried tomatoes, toasted hazelnuts and some olive oil into a serving bowl.
Once the ravioli was cooked, having transformed into tender pillows of pasta, I gently tossed it with the arugula mixture.
That was it.
All that was left was garnishing the dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, dishing it out into bowls and carrying it out to Station Picnic in the backyard.
Not only was this dish kid-friendly, but the flavors worked so well together that my husband and I decided we would proudly serve this meal at a dinner party with friends.
Looking through the Monterey Gourmet Foods website, I realized there were at least a dozen products I wanted to try, ones that would be appropriate for Meatless Monday meals as well as future picnics. My husband has his eye on the Butternut Squash Ravioli while I keep coming back to the gnocchi and tapenade. So many options…
With our focus on healthy eating, I am thrilled that Monterey Gourmet Foods adheres to their 8 All Natural Principles, which include a commitment to NOT using hydrogenated oils or artificial chemically manufactured additives, and ONLY using meat and dairy products from cows that are not treated with hormones or antibiotics.
The recipe:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the ravioli and cook according package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the ravioli.
While the ravioli is cooking, stir together the sun-dried tomatoes, hazelnuts, arugula, salt and pepper in a large serving bowl.
Drizzle in olive oil and gently toss to combine.
Add the ravioli to the sun-dried tomato mixture and toss gently to combine. You may want to use your hands to avoid ripping the ravioli. Serve and garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
The giveaway:
To be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and VIP coupons for a free Monterey Gourmet Foods product, courtesy of Monterey Gourmet Foods and BlogHer, please answer this question in the comment section:
What would you make using a Monterey Gourmet Foods pasta or sauce product? (If you’d also like to share a recipe, feel free to post it on your blog/website and include a link to it in your comment.)
SWEEPSTAKES/GIVEAWAY RULES:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 4/11/2012-5/31/2012.
Be sure to visit the Monterey Gourmet Foods page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
From the kitchen of Cookin Canuck. www.cookincanuck.com
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz. each) packages Monterey Gourmet Foods Roasted Chicken & Mozzarella Ravioli
- 2/3 cup thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, lightly toasted
- 1 cup (packed) arugula leaves
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt (to taste)
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the ravioli and cook according package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the ravioli.
- While the ravioli is cooking, stir together the sun-dried tomatoes, hazelnuts, arugula, salt and pepper in a large serving bowl. Drizzle in olive oil and gently toss to combine.
- Add the ravioli to the sun-dried tomato mixture and toss gently to combine. You may want to use your hands to avoid ripping the ravioli.
- Serve and garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Monterey Gourmet Foods™ is a registered trademark of Pulmuone Foods USA, Inc.
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{ 200 comments… read them below or add one }
Love everything about this!
i would make manicotti
I’d try the marinara, I guess, just because I love experimenting with marinara! They are so versatile and you can add whatever chopped veggie, herb, or meat into it and voila! Dinner!
This looks so delicious Dara! I would probably just make this exact recipe
i have a recipe for vegan spinach raviolis that i really like – you can find the recipe here:
http://www.vegalicious.org/2007/02/09/hearty-ravioli
When I eat raviolis, I like sticking to lighter toppings and sauces too in order to let the ravioli flavor come out – these bowls of raviolis look awesome. Raviolis have been one of my favorites since I was a kid and I’ve always relied on store-bought, so it’d be interedting to check out some of the Monterey varieties.
I would try out one of their pasta’s and make what I have on the Menu tonight; A Light Tarragon & Mint Pea sauced chicken pasta with green beans and Roasted Broccoli =) My family Hates peas, so I thought for a new introduction to Tarragon and peas, this might be a winner (I hope I’m right!)
I would probably use the classic marinara sauce. I feel that they would go together pretty well, I’m not really good at cooking pasta so I would go the old fashion route to be on the safe side!
I want to try the ravioli with alfredo sauce!
The tortellini looks good.
We had Monterey ravioli last night for dinner. I make a simple sauce with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes and lemon juice. Sun dried tomatoes would have been a great addition too.
I would make turkey lasagna.
First, I think your family is adorable and what a view you got there, it’s incredible! Confession: once in awhile I will make especially ravioli out of the freezer. It’s quick and delicious & no fuss. I was laughing how your hubs is eager to get into Spring mode if we were living there we would still be wrapped in blankets!
tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/190073144860606464
I would make this recipe!
I love using their ravioli to bulk up salads or soups! I also want to make this recipe! YUM!!
I would make tortellini & spinach soup. I also want to try this recipe!
This looks absolutely perfect. I want to go on your next picnic!!!!
The recipe for Pear Pesto Pizza on their website looks fantastic!
I’d use the Rainbow Five Cheese Tortelloni to make a beautiful and colorful vegetable pasta salad!
I would love to make tortellinis with red sauce!
https://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/190095514224697344
I would make ravioli with pesto
I would use the ravioli with a light butter/lemon sauce and some fresh spring ingrdients like aspargus, ramps, or peas.
This recipe looks fabulous, easy and healthy. I’d definitely want to try the turkey lasagna – protein and carbs – fabulous combo! Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe!
A really amazing combo of flavors, Dara. I love the peppery taste of arugula and try to sneak it into as many recipes as possible. I can just imagine how fabulous it was with this beautiful ravioli and the other ingredients. Well done.
I would make vegetarian ravioli lasagna!
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/190098295085998085
I’d also go with the Rainbow Five-cheese Tortellini and toss it with basil pesto, pine nuts and chicken that has been pan-sauteed in olive oil and garlic with some dry white cooking wine poured over it once it’s done cooking. Probably add some shredded Parm or Romano, drizzle of lemon juice. Maybe add some sauteed veggies if I felt like it, too!
Served with homemade garlic bread, of course.
I would make a Zucchini and Mushroom Bake with the Monterey Marinara Sauce. And, I would top it with Monterey’s Shredded Parmesan Cheese. Yum! Perfect summer dish.
I’d make lasanga!
family74014 at gmail dot com
I’d try the shrimp and lobster ravioli with alfredo sauce, or a homemade lemon sauce of some sort. These products look tasty!
I love pastas with pesto and veggies!
Oh would I LOVE to dive into this plateful of carb bliss!!
I would try their Bolognese Tortelloni and cook it in chicken broth and serve it that way–en brodo, as they have it in northern Italy.
I want to try the squash ravioli with browned butter and olive oil and arugula
I would love to do the ravioli you did it sounds yummy!!!
I’d make lasagna
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/190127410967089152
How timely, I’ve been craving ravioli lately! Fire roasted mushroom and four cheese ravioli sounds divine with some parsley pesto or Three Pepper Tortellini soup.
Easy and delicious!
I love smearing pesto on a bun and serving with a burger
Your photos make me wish I had some of that right now! So good. I’d love to try a simple ravioli dish.
I’ve wanted to try making a ravioli “lasagna” and I think using their product as the ravioli base would be a delicious (and not overly-processed) way of finally trying that idea out!
I would definitely make this delicious ravioli — we’ve been into ravioli kick, recently ;D
I’d love to try one of their raviolis!
Hmm, too many options. I get mushrooms from my work on a regular basis, so I think the mushroom and 4 cheese ravioli with asparagus and extra mushrooms sound tasty. I’m bad with sauces so that part is yet to be determined.
Butternut squash ravioli with browned butter and sage.
I’d make this!
I love ravioli and I’m definitely going to try your recipe for my boys!
The four-cheese ravioli sounds amazing! yum. I would combine it with fresh garlic, olive oil, and parm cheese and serve with overly done grilled asparagus.
I would make Chicken Carbonara!!
Chicken and sun-dried tomato ravioli with marinara…yum!
I tweeted this! https://twitter.com/#!/malissalwood/status/190149762090156034
going to cook this tonight!
I think it’d be fun to layer up some of their ravioli, like a lasagna, bake it off and devore!
I would love to use Monterey Gourmet Foods’ pesto sauce to make a chicken-pesto panini!
I love ravioli anything, but right now I am trying different recipes with tortellini. Last week I made a 5 cheese tortellini soup with chicken and spinach. It got rave reviews. Experimenting is always interesting. Hard to go wrong.
we would make caprese and ravioli!
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/190172832058179585
I would make a nice brown butter sauce for the ravioli. Yumm!
Butternut squash ravioli with a homemade curry cream sauce or with Brown Butter Sage sauce.
It would be delicious to swap out the arugula and hazelnuts for a little basil and pine nuts too for a little caprese style ravioli salad. Although those ravioli certainly look good enough to eat all by their little lonesome!
I would make a baked ziti!
jamievillari@yahoo dot com
TWEETED:
https://twitter.com/#!/JamieVillari/status/190192166050598913/embed
jamievillari@yahoo dot com
Your boys are so cute! I do the ravioli thing for dinner too. So simple and so fast! Seriously a no brainer dinner.
This looks so good! I would make a traditional lasagna but use the tortilini! Yum!
I would just make this recipe. Looks good!
That looks so fantastic! I cannot wait to try this recipe.
anything with arugula, I am a fan! Great idea as always
The ravioli sounds delicious. What you made sounds like a good thing to try as well.
What great flavors with this arugula! Love it… I hope you and your family had a fabulous EASTER!
Sounds so delish Dara!
i would make a simple ravoli dish – probably w/ the butternut squash variety or the artichoke/mozerlla – and some seasonal veggies.
I would make ravioli/tortellini /gnocchi with a creamy butternut squash sauce.
This looks amazing! I’d definitely love to try this recipe.
I’d love to try the gnocchi!
I really like alfredo sauce so I’d want to try that!
The lobster ravioli with Alfredo sauce sounds to die for. I would make that first and not count the fat grams!
I would love to try the olive garden tapenade on crostini as a appetizer!
I would use their pesto with pasta salad.
yum- i think i’d try THIS recipe!!
Honestly, I just really really want to make what you just did! That looks heavenly! And I have never even tasted a hazelnut before, but boy do I want to!
We often have packaged ravioli in the fridge for a quick meal and I love what you did with it! Sundried tomatoes and arugula are a fabulous and perfect go-to pairing, but I love the addition of crunchy hazlenuts! And what i wouldn’t give to try this Roasted Chicken & Mozz ravioli! Sounds so good! And how about tossing the arugula into a pan with a dash of olive oil and the sundried tomatoes just to heat through and wilt, soften the tomatoes a bit and stir in cream and a bit of parmesan to make a hot, creamy sauce? Maybe add a few roasted cherry tomatoes? Oh my now I am hungry!
I love butternut squash so I would try their butternut squash raviolis. I would either eat them plain because I typically do that or I would make a brown butter sage sauce.
I would make a creamy bacon and ranch ravioli!
What a gorgeous dish of pasta. It’s very nearly too pretty to eat.
I’d definitely try the ravioli
Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli sounds really good. Add some coconut white sauce and you have one amazing meal!
Toasted ravioli, all the way!
RED PEPPER PESTO AND ARUGULA PIZZA
thepryfamily@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/190536025934790657
thepryfamily@gmail.com
I would make the butternut squash ravioli. Yum.
I would totally love to try the Rainbow 5 Cheese Tortelloni . It is BEAUTIFUL! I would cook it and simply shave some parm on top. Thanks!!
id make a pesto pasta salad with their sauce!
https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/190569211519709184
I would use the roasted chicken and mozzerella pasta as well. However I would make a cilantro/lemon/peanut pesto then thrown in raw cherry tomatoes at the very end! Yum!
I know this will get buried but I still want to say what a nice, quick meal this looks to be….. no entry for me, just paying my respects…
I would love to try their shrimp and lobster ravioli! Sounds delicious!
I would make a tortelloni salad with their pasta.
This sounds AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing! My family would love the chicken!
I would make the lobster ravioli with some lighter cream sauce.
I would make their Shrimp & North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli
I tweeted this
https://twitter.com/#!/The_Sunshyn/status/190671514784370690
I would love to try this recipe!
Simple and full of flavours, I featured it as Article of The Week (just thumb and link to your page) I hope you don’t mind.
I seriously want to try out the Roasted Chicken & Mozzarella Ravioli, they look delicious, I’d add them to my home made arrabbitta sauce along with a salad and bread and that would make an awesome meal for me & hubby
Thanks for the great giveaway
debis126 at yahoo.com
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/deb126/status/190989842551816192
thanks again
I’d make Tortelloni Sausage Soup with Monterey Gourmet Rainbow Five-Cheese Tortelloni. Thanks!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/sharonjo2/status/190994447985680385
This looks like a good company! I’d like to try the Smoked Mozzarella and Artichoke Ravioli with just a simple red sauce.
Actually, I’d love to make this recipe!!!!!
I would love to make your recipe and add some Frangelico Liquer to it. Thanks.
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/BBirdie2/status/191292379100233729
I’d like to try ravioli with a pesto sauce.
Tortellini
I’d make lasagna, kids love it.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/191761127749853184
I’d like to make tuna pasta with it. Thanks for the giveaway.
songyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/191793203031183360
songyueyu at gmail
Yum! I love their natural principles. I haven’t made it in a while but ravioli lasagna is quick and so good, especially when you add in some roasted vegetables.
Hi, I am not a very good cook that is why I don’t have a recipe to share with you , but I would love to make , Pear Pesto Pizza recipe from the Monterrey Gourmet Foods, Thank you.
https://twitter.com/#!/Dealsfan32/status/192057893766430720
mmmmm! I would make lobster ravioli with alfredo sauce. So many wonderful varieties to choose from!
i would make lasagna – it’s one of our favorite dishes!
i tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/bellows22/status/192095184387977216
Love the combination of flavors offered here and the simplicity in preparation!
i’d make their potato parmesan gnocchi
I love to make minestrone with either tortellini or ravioli added at the end.
I would love to create a Creamy Ricotta Florentine Ravioli with Alfredo sauce using Monterey Gourmet Foods products. Sounds yummy and couldn’t be any easier. I can’t wait to try this combination.
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/193856443055738880
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
I would love to make homemade pasta with brown butter
purple_lover_04 at msn dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/194178087204831232
I’D TRY OUT QUITE A FEW TO BE HONEST.
BASIL MEATBALLS IS ONE SUCH.
2ND ENTRY TWEET https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/194196773558960129
I would use the Chicken and Mozzarella ravioli and add sautéed asparagus and toasted slivered almonds and a dusting of parmigiano reggiano cheese. I’d pair it with a grilled romaine salad dressed with homemade ranch dressing and roasted tomatoes. Folk Machine Pinot Noir to drink! Cheers!
I would experiment with the stuffed pastas (tortillini/ravioli/etc.) and combine different sauces/veggies until I found the perfect combo!
Yummy! I can’t wait to make this combination!
Yummy! I would try this recipe. I think my family would be begging for more!
I think I would make the recipe you posted! Looks yummy!
Butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter.
Even though my family loves pasta, I’ve discovered I can sometimes use rice in place of pasta and they love it too. Especially brown and wild rice. Recently I paired alfredo sauce with brown rice and grilled scallops and it was out of this world! I would love to try Monterey Gourmet Foods Alfredo sauce in my recipes.
https://twitter.com/#!/tnshadylady/status/196321671018332163
I’d make Spinach Ravioli Lasagna with Pesto Panko Bread Crumbs.
When I’m really hungry, I am so content eating a bowl of store-bought vegetarian ravioli with lots of marinara sauce on it.
I’d make Prime Veal Chop with Pesto and Feta Cheese
https://twitter.com/#!/auntiethesis/status/196849886254202880
I would make lasagna.
I would use their alfredo sauce to make my family’s favorite Chicken Alfredo with fresh mushrooms
amethyst2272 at gmail.com
tweeted too: https://twitter.com/#!/happyenchilada2/status/196859744143683584
amethyst2272 at gmail.com
I’d love to make the Lobster Ravioli with Saffron Cream Sauce
https://twitter.com/#!/erunuevo/status/196915547865231360
Dinner last night – perfect super easy Sunday night! I’m using my arugula in reverse – I bought it a week ago for the Tilapia recipe, which we’re having tonight. LOVE LOVE LOVE when you post recipes that help me use up ingredients I purchased for other recipes
Cheers!
I’d make veggie primavera.
–Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
I think I would like to try the Ravioli
sweokgrl@gmail.com
Your recipe sounds delicious! Or I’m always a softie for pesto!
I’d love to try the rainbow three cheese tortellini.
chambanachik@gmail.com
I’d make baked spaghetti.
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/202569405165600769
I think I would love the tortellini with their pesto sauce, so that would be the first thing I would make…honestly though, all of the products really look delicious!
I think i would make some type of yummy salad to go with the pasta and add a mild cream sauce to go with it. I don’t really use recipes any more…
Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
I’ve been all about experimenting with arugula lately so I’d try the recipe you posted!
I’d use their alfredo sauce to make a chicken alfredo calzone.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
their recipe for RAINBOW TORTELLONI PASTA SALAD sounds good, i’d try to make that
thismomwins@gmail.com
I’d probably use the raviolis to create a shrimp pesto ravioli dish! yum!
I’d cook the tomato, basil and mozzarella ravioli with peppers, sundried tomatoes, onions, and provolone cheese. I haven’t come up with a name for it but it’s popular at my house.
classic ravioli or baked spaghetti
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/204760520040005633
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I would love to make a pasta salad that would be delicious as the weather gets warmer. Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/204949072942084096
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
I would make your recipe except I would use pine nuts instead of hazelnuts, just personal preference. I think this is what we will have for dinner tonight – yum! Thanks for a great recipe.
I would make vegetable tortellini soup with the tri-color tortellini.
yum! I’d make four cheese tortilloni and marinara!
The Monterey Gourmet Foods Product sounds delicious and your recipe looked so yummy! I would love to make the Roasted Chicken & Mozzarella Ravioli and Basil with Almonds & Pine Nuts Pesto Sauce. Can’t wait to try them!
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/ctong2/status/205931631284981760
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I would make stuffed shells
i would love to make the butter nut squash ravioli in an alfredo sauce!
tweeted https://twitter.com/mermont84/status/206135845684641792
The Lobster Ravioli looks so good and with some Alfredo sauce it would make me very happy.
I would make my favorite, lasagna.
I would make a pesto pizza using their artichoke pesto! Yum
tweeted
https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/206799923356762113
I would love to try their pesto sauce on baked fish. sweepmorey at gmail dot com
tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/206839437626310656
Your recipe looks delicious! I would like to try the pesto sauce on a pizza.
tweet
https://twitter.com/ohstac/status/207203202523869184
I would love to make the Smoked Mozzarella & Artichoke Ravioli with a smoked mozzarella Alfredo sauce for my hubby. HE loved smoked cheeses and he loves artichokes!
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/207463128143888386
I’d make what you made. Not a recipe I’d think of putting together myself, but it sounds delicious!
I would just put spaghetti sauce and Parmesan Cheese over the Creamy Ricotta Florentine Ravioli
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/207771765441699841
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/207870907010650112
I would make Shrimp & North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli with Alfredo sauce.
I’d make spinach ricotta ravioli! Yum!
I would make a Pear Pesto Pizza. The flavor combination sounds amazing!
I’d make white pizza using Monterrey pesto sauce instead of marinara.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/208330987954900992
I’d make my own version of Chicken Piccata using their Artichoke Lemon Pesto, chicken, artichoke, and capers!
This brand of pasta looks amazing! And from your pictures, it also looks like it really fills you up after eating. I’ve been looking for a good lasagna recipe, but I think I would like some of the Monterey Gourmet pasta and use it to make a lasagna casserole. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d like to try the artichoke ravioli, with fresh herbs and browned butter!
karenreichmann@hotmail.com
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