Sweet potato parmigiano and other delights

Leftover bottled marinara sauce and shredded Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano from Costco Wholesale transform a baked sweet potato, which was split and reheated in a microwave after the sauce and imported cheese were added.

Sweet potato parmigiano served for breakfast with two organic brown eggs from Costco, above; and with an egg-white omelet and stewed tofu from H Mart, top photo.

Editor's note: Today, I discuss substitutes for bread and pizza that won't put on weight, and a ShopRite special on imported pasta sauce.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
Editor

I never quite understood why all those chicken and veal parmigiano dishes listed on restaurant menus carried the name of one of Italy's great cheeses, but were covered in gooey mozzarella.

I guessed that the dishes were made in the style of Parma, where mozzarella cheese reigns.

But when I chose to dress up a leftover baked sweet potato for breakfast one morning, I used a little marinara sauce and reduced-fat Parmigiano Reggiano from Costco Wholesale, not full-fat mozzarella.

Not bad.

See: Invite the 'King of Cheeses' into your home

Lifting the lid on healthy organic whole-wheat fusilli from Trader Joe's with organic diced tomatoes, sardines and plenty of baby spinach, which was added to the hot pasta water just before the spirals were drained.

Two organic brown eggs got pinches of Aleppo pepper and grated Pecorino Romano, a sheep milk's cheese that I also add to whole wheat pasta. The cheese and eggs come from Costco.

Kirkland Signature Egg Whites and two organic brown eggs were mixed for a simple all-Costco frittata with grated Pecorino Romano cheese, Camapari Tomatoes and Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto, which I add after the thick no-flip dish finishes browning under the broiler.

Bottled pasta sauce

I couldn't find many bargains among the bottled pasta sauces at the Rochelle Park ShopRite on Friday afternoon, and had to read a lot of labels to find one without added sugar.

One sauce from Two Guys Food Group, made with famed Jersey tomatoes, was a pricey $5.49 for a 25-ounce bottle.

But the oddly named Dress Italian sauces were not only imported from Italy and on sale, but also were free of added sugar.

I picked up 26.5-ounce bottles of Classica (Tomato Basil), Arrabiatta (Angry Chili) and Siciliana (Sun Dried Tomato) for only $1.99 each or half price.

Two of the sauces contain red or white wine, and they are made from 61% or more Italian crushed tomatoes.