Rao’s is $TEN here! But Sprouts had it on sale last week for $5, and I loaded up. HOWEVER … I will look again because I think I may have seen Buon Giorno Italia there, as well! And your hack sounds really good. 
I think it’s Dana Carpenter (?) who recommends in one of her books to rinse, microwave 30 seconds, rinse, microwave, rinse to get a better consistency. I have also heard/read that dry cooking them a little bit on medium heat makes them less rubbery.
