Category Archives: Cocktails

Shaken or Stirred? June 19th is National Martini Day

June 14, 2016CocktailsAll Natural, Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Cocktails, Martini, Martinis, National Martini Day, Olives, RecipesJeff's Naturals

Did you know that National Martini Day is June 19th? It’s the perfect excuse to break out some glasses, crack open a jar or two of your favorite Jeff’s Naturals olives and take a relaxing and well-deserved sip. National Martini Day comes only once a year, after all!

To honor the occasion, here are some helpful martini making tips and NEW martini recipe ideas!

Martini Making Tips

1. Ice
Be sure to keep your martini chilled with ice, however, you should not chill gin. The ideal combination is warm gin + cold ice.

2. Chill Your Glassware
Cold glassware is a must for keeping your martini chill. We also find it brings a certain degree of class to your drink!

3. Shaken or Stirred?
Forget what James Bond has to say, shaking a martini will create air bubbles that make the martini opaque. Consider stirring the martini instead if you want to keep it clear and see-through.

4. Enjoy
Enjoy your martini before it succumbs to room temperature (but don’t feel the need to rush)!

New! Bleu Cheese Olive Martini

Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 5 min | Serves: 1

Ingredients

3 ounces vodka or gin
1 ounce dry vermouth
Jeff’s Naturals Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
Ice

Directions

Place the martini glass into the freezer to chill. Pour liquor into a martini shaker with ice. Shake for at least 20 seconds and pour into the chilled martini glass. Garnish with Bleu Cheese Stuffed Olives and enjoy!

New! Hot Cherry Pepper Martini

Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 5 min | Serves: 1

Ingredients

3 ounces vodka or gin
Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers, reserve brine
Ice

Directions

Fill a chilled martini shaker with ice. Add vodka or gin with a splash of pepper brine and shake well for about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a hot cherry pepper or two.

New! “Perfect” Martini

Prep Time: 3 min | Total Time: 5 min | Serves: 1

Ingredients

3 oz. gin
1/2 tsp. vermouth
1 c. ice
3 of your favorite Jeff’s Naturals Olives

Directions

Fill a chilled martini shaker with ice. Add gin and vermouth. Shake well, about 45 seconds. Using a cocktail strainer, pour into a chilled glass. Thread three olives (representing health, love and wealth) onto a cocktail stirrer or rosemary sprig and serve.

Five Fabulous Cinco De Mayo Dishes to Make With Jeff’s Naturals

April 19, 2016Appetizers, Cocktails, Main Dishes, RecipesBurritos, Cinco de Mayo Recipes, Guacamole, Jalapeño Peppers, Jeff's Naturals, Magaritas, Nachos, Roasted Red Bell Peppers StripsJeff's Naturals

With Cinco de Mayo just a couple of weeks away, we thought it would be fun to share Five FABULOUS Southwest/Mexican inspired recipes you can make with Jeff’s Naturals products in your pantry!

Cinco de Mayo’s the perfect opportunity to craft a menu with a little heat to it (and an assortment of delicious drinks to wash it down)! These five easy and delicious recipes made with Jeff’s Naturals Non-GMO products are bound to have your guests chanting “mas mas mas!”

NEW! Turkey Chili Burritos

Prep Time: 15min | Total Time: 45min | Serves: 8

Ingredients

1 lb. ground turkey
1 Tbsp. crushed garlic
1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 c. Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Red Bell Peppers Strips, drained and chopped
1 medium red onion, peeled and diced
2 c. Marinara Sauce
1/2 jar Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeño Peppers
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp. Jeff’s Naturals Jalapeño Stuffed Olives, chopped
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. black pepper
6 flour tortillas
Optional: 1 c. shredded jack cheese
Optional: 4 c. shredded iceberg lettuce
Salt to taste
Hot Sauce, to taste

Directions

In a large skillet, over medium high heat, stir turkey, garlic, olive oil, bell pepper and onion, breaking turkey apart, until juices evaporate and turkey meat is lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Add the chili powder, ground cumin and pepper. Stir and cook 2 minutes. Then add the marinara sauce, jalapenos, cilantro, and olives. Stir often, until flavors are blended, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, stack flour tortillas and seal in foil. Bake in a 350° F oven, until hot in the center, about 7 minutes. To assemble each burrito, spoon the turkey mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top equally with hot sauce, cheese, lettuce and sour cream. Fold bottom, then sides of tortilla over filling to enclose. Hold to eat.

NEW! Mexican Nachos

Prep Time: 10min | Total Time: 20min | Serves: 4

Ingredients

8 ounces of tortilla chips
2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
¾ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
1 cup Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeño Peppers
1/3 cup sliced green onion
½ cup sour cream
½ cup guacamole
¼ cup Chili Pepper Spread

Directions

On a sheet pan, spread the chips out in an even layer. Layer on the toppings and evenly sprinkle the cheese, beans, chicken, jalapenos and green onion over the chips. Bake about 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and top with sour cream, guacamole and chili pepper spread. Serve immediately.

CLASSIC: Jalapeño Lime Margarita

Prep time: 5mins. Total Time: 5 mins. Serves: 6

Ingredients:

4-6 c. ice
1 can (12oz.) frozen limeade concentrate
1 c. tequila
¼ c. triple sec
1 lime sliced
Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños, reserve the brine, slices for garnish

Directions:

Combine 4-6 cups of Ice, 1 (12 oz.) can frozen limeade concentrate, 1 cup tequila and ¼ cup of triple sec into a blender and blend until smooth. Add a splash of Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeño Pepper brine to taste and blend again. Pour into a glass rimmed with salt and garnish with a lime wedge and jalapeño ring.

NEW! Peperoncini & Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoe Guacamole

Ingredients

4 avocados, pitted and flesh scooped out
1/2 c. Jeff’s Naturas Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, drained and roughly chopped
1/3 c. Jeff’s Naturals Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, drained and rough chopped
1/4 c. red onion, small diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, mash the avocado with a fork. Stir in the peperoncini, tomatoes, onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Great served with pita chips for a fun twist!

FAVORITE: Black Bean & Roasted Red Pepper Salsa

Prep Time: 10min | Total Time: 35min | Serves: 4

Ingredients

1-½ jars Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Bell Pepper Strips, drained
1 can black beans (15oz.), drained and rinsed
½ c. red onion, minced
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
¼ c. extra virgin olive oil
¼ c. fresh cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp. green onion, minced (including tops)
1 Tbsp. Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeños brine
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 tsp. kosher salt

Directions:

Drain and 1-½ jars of Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and chop.

In a large mixing bowl, toss red peppers with all other ingredients. Refrigerate for 25 minutes and serve.

Have a Bloody Mary on Us at Natural Products Expo West!

February 13, 2016Cocktails, Company NewsBloody Mary, Bloody Mary Garnishes, Bloody Mary Recipe, Natural Products Expo West, Olives, peppersJeff's Naturals

Natural Products Expo West Cocktail Pary

The Bloody Mary, everyone’s favorite brunch cocktail, is almost as unique as the individual who made it. Everyone has their own preference and there is no one right way to make them. The cocktail was once called “the world’s most complex cocktail” in The Daily Telegraph. One thing is certain- Jeff’s Naturals products are a natural fit for this mysterious drink.

Guess you could say Jeff’s Naturals and a Bloody Mary go together like salt and pepper. One compliments the other.

We are looking forward to heading back to Anaheim CA next month for Natural Products Expo West 2016, the world’s largest trade show for the natural products industry. To add even more excitement, we’re bringing some of our favorite Bloody Mary fixings to host a huge Bloody Mary Mixer with our friends at Tillen Farms and Lakewood Juice!

If you’re headed to this year’s Expo West, join us Saturday March 12th from 12 p.m. -2 p.m. at Booth #4768. We’ll be serving up delicious Bloody Mary cocktails made with Lakewood Organic Super Veggie Juice and garnishes like hugely popular Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives our Jalapeño Stuffed Olives and Tillen Farms Gourmet Green Beans and Asparagus as cocktail stirrers. But that’s not all- we’ll also be serving tasty appetizers to our guests made with Jeff’s Naturals Olives & Peppers– YUM! You don’t want to miss it!

If you’re among those who won’t be attending this year’s expo or you can’t wait that long, don’t worry. Here’s an easy Bloody Recipe you can make at home.

Jeff’s Naturals Darn Good Bloody Mary

Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 5 min | Serves: 1

Ingredients

4 oz. Bloody Mary mix
1-½ oz. Vodka
Splash of your favorite hot sauce
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Splash of brine from Jeff’s Naturals Olives or Peppers
Ice for serving
Assorted Jeff’s Naturals Peppers and Olives for garnish
1 celery stalk

Directions:

Stir Bloody Mary mix and vodka together. Add a dash of hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of Jeff’s Naturals Olive or Pepper brine. Pour over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with your favorite Jeff’s Naturals Peppers and Olives. Finish with a stalk of celery.

A Festive Holiday Party Menu

December 15, 2015Appetizers, Cocktails, Holiday Entertaining, RecipesAppetizers, Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Christmas, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Holiday Appetizers, Holiday Cocktails, Holiday Gathering, Libations, Martini, New Years, Pepperoncini, Recipes, SpiritsJeff's Naturals

An uncomplicated holiday menu! Expecting company this holiday season? Whether you are expecting a houseful of relatives or a smaller intimate gathering, we know there is a lot to plan and to think about.

While we can’t help with everything, we CAN help uncomplicate holiday entertaining for you! From hand stuffing olives with feta, blue cheese or locally grown garlic to roasting red peppers, we have already have done much the work for you right here in Napa Valley.

Simply pick up your favorite Jeff’s Naturals products at your local food store (or order online), crack open a jar and get creative by pairing our olives and peppers with your favorite appetizers and dishes.

Here are some simple suggestions for a fabulous and easy holiday spread you can serve while relaxing and enjoying with friends and family.

A Festive Holiday Party Menu

Antipasto Platter
Crescent Rolls with Gruyère and Sun-dried Tomato & Basil
Baked Jalapeño Stuffed Olive Cheddar Puffs
Spinach and Feta Olive Turnovers
Spiked Hot Apple Cider
Jeff’s Greek Peperontini
Jeff’s Casteltini

Antipasto Platter

Sliced meat: Pick a variety of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and bresaola.

Cheese: Choose a variety of cheeses- a hard cheese, soft cheese, and stinky cheese will give your guests nice options. Try Manchego, Brie, and Blue Cheese, fresh Mozzarella or Burrata – the more cheeses the merrier!

Olives & Peppers: It wouldn’t be an Antipasto platter without the right combination of olives and peppers! You can be creative, but we recommend selecting from one or more of the following:
Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
Whole Castelvetrano Olives
Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives
Roasted Bell Pepper Strips
Garlic Stuffed Olives
Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini
Organic Pitted Whole Greek Kalamata Olives
Jalapeño Stuffed Olives

Be sure to pour some Jeff’s Naturals Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto into a bowl.

Fresh Fruit: A variety of fresh fruit such as a bunch of grapes, slices of cantaloupe, halved fresh figs, and cherry tomatoes.Add sliced baguette and assorted crackers
PREPARATION

Pull cheeses from the refrigerator about one hour prior to guests arriving. Place all the antipasti items on a large platter. Set out serving utensils, toothpicks, and cheese knives for the guests to serve themselves. And of course, wine is a great accompaniment to any antipasti platter also!

Crescent Rolls with Gruyère and Sundried Tomato & Basil

Baked Jalapeño Stuffed Olive Cheddar Puffs

Spinach and Feta Olive Turnovers

Jeff’s Naturals Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Jeff’s Greek Peperontini

Jeff’s Casteltini

Featured Recipe: Jeff’s Naturals Spiked Hot Apple Cider

December 2, 2015CocktailsAll Natural, Apple Cider, Holiday Cocktails, Holiday Entertaining, Hot Cherry Peppers, Spiked Apple CiderJeff's Naturals

Keep warm and toasty this holiday season with this delicious cider cocktails with a kick! The secret ingredient? Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers!

Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Prep Time: 3 min.Total Time: 25 min.Serves: 8-10

Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup Jeff’s Naturals Deli-Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers, plus some to garnish

Spiked Cider:
8 cups Apple Cider
1 orange, cut into slices
3 whole cloves
2 cups spiced rum
Cinnamon sticks to garnish each drink

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1 cup of the water with the sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add the hot cherry peppers, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large pot, combine apple cider, orange slices, and whole cloves. Bring to a boil over high; reduce to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat and strain orange slices and cloves out. Stir rum into cider. Add Hot Cherry Pepper simple syrup until desired heat level and sweetness is achieved. Serve warm with a cinnamon stick to garnish each drink and a slice of hot cherry pepper.

One Jar of Tamed Jalapeños = Five Refreshing Cocktails

June 29, 2015CocktailsJalapeño Lime Margarita, Jalapeno Mangorita, Non-GMO, Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños, Spiked Jalapeño Lemonade, Summer Cocktails, Tamed Jalapeno Peppers, Watermelon Jalapeño MargaritaJeff's Naturals

That’s right.

One jar of Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños can yield up to 5 cool summer cocktail recipes.

However, you may want to pick up a 2nd or even 3rd jar just in case. Our Tamed™ Jalapeños are free of sulfites, sourced in California and packed within 24-hours of harvest so you get the freshest product available. Consumers can relax knowing our jalapeños are also Certified Kosher, Gluten Free, Non-GMO Project Verified and Certified Vegan.

The best part? Enjoying the delicious tangy jalapeño flavor with less heat! These crowd-pleasing summer cocktail recipes come together quickly and are perfect to serve at parties and cookouts all summer long.

Jalapeño Cucumber Craze

Mix together ½ c. fresh lime juice, 1 thinly sliced lime, 1 c. tequila, ½ thinly sliced cucumber, ¼ c. Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeños, 12 fresh mint leaves (optional) & 1 can lemon-lime soda. Chill in refrigerator.

Serve over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. If desired, add a little brine from the Jalapeño peppers jar for a spicy kick.

Jalapeño Lime Margarita

Combine 4-6 cups of Ice, 1 (12 oz.) can frozen limeade concentrate, 1 cup tequila and ¼ cup of triple sec into a blender and blend until smooth. Add a splash of Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeños brine to taste and blend again. Pour into a glass rimmed with salt and garnish with a lime wedge and jalapeño ring.

Spiked Jalapeño Lemonade

Simple syrup:
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat. combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add ¼ cup Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeños (drained), lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Lemonade:
In a pitcher, mix 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (approximately 5 lemons) with 2 cups of water. Add ¾ cup of the simple syrup and stir well.

Serve over ice with a jalapeno garnish. If using vodka, pour 1 ½ ounce into each glass and top with lemonade.

Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita

In a blender, puree 5 cups of seedless watermelon cubes and strain juice through a fine wire mesh sieve. Discard any pulp and seed remnants. In a large pitcher, stir together watermelon juice, 1 cup silver tequila, ½ cup of Cointreau (you could also use triple sec), and ¼-½ cup of fresh lime juice. Add a splash of Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeño brine to taste and stir to combine. Keep cold until ready to use. In a shallow dish, combine 3 tbsp. of kosher salt and 1 tsp. of chili powder.

To prepare the margaritas, rim each glass with the chili powder mixture by wetting the rim of the glass with Cointreau and dipping in the chili and salt. Pour the watermelon margarita over ice and serve with a garnish of watermelon cubes and jalapeño slices.

Jalapeño Mangorita

Fill a rock glass ¾ full with ice. Add 1 ½ oz. tequila and fill with Lakewood Mango Blend Juice leaving just enough room for the juice of ½ lime, and a splash ofJeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeños brine. Stir to combine and serve with a lime wedge and slice of jalapeno.

Five Savory Holiday Cocktail Recipes

December 16, 2014CocktailsBloody Mary, Bloody Mary Recipe, Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Holiday Cocktails, Libations, Martini, Pepperoncini, Recipes, SpiritsJeff's Naturals

Fabulous Jeff’s Naturals Cocktail Recipes to Enjoy for the Holidays!

The holidays are a time for festivity, fun, and yes, libations! We’re not saying everyone should consume adult beverages this holiday season, but if you do, drink responsibly and use only the best olives and garnishes. These simple cocktail recipes and tips will go a long way to make your spirits bright. Playing bartender has never been easier!

Tips for Tasty Cocktails-

Always save your olive juice to “dirty” your Bloody Mary or cocktail.

Thread Jeff’s Naturals Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives onto fresh rosemary for your cocktail. You’ll get a sensory overload with the fresh smell and bright flavor!

Pit Jeff’s Naturals Castelvetrano Olives and add to a martini. Never ruin expensive gin with inferior olives.

Use Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives, along with our Pepperoncini to garnish a bountiful Bloody Mary.

Replace your usual green olive for a Jeff’s Naturals Blue Cheese Stuffed Olive in a martini.

Recipes for Tasty Holiday Cocktails-

1. Spice-it-up Jalapeño Martini

3 oz. vodka
2 oz. Juice from jar of Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed Jalapeños
Splash of dry vermouth
2-3 Jalapeño Stuffed Olives for garnish

Prep:
Pour liquor and jalapeño juice into a martini shaker with ice. Shake at least 30 seconds and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with Jalapeño Stuffed Olives and enjoy!

2. All Natural Castelvetrano ‘tini

2 oz. dry gin or vodka
1 oz. dry vermouth
Ice
Jeff’s Naturals Castelvetrano Olives

Prep:
Place a cocktail glass in the freezer to chill. Combine the gin or vodka and vermouth in a shaker, fill halfway with ice, and stir or shake vigorously until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into the chilled glass and garnish with castelvetrano olives

3. Jeff’s Savory Martini

3 sprigs rosemary (one inch in length)
3 Tbl. vermouth (or use juice of any Jeff’s Naturals Castelvetrano or Garlic Stuffed Olives)
5 oz. vodka or gin
Jeff’s Naturals Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives (for garnish)

Prep
Chill martini glasses in freezer for 15 minutes. Add one rosemary sprig to cocktail shaker and muddle to release oils. Add ice to shaker. Pour in vermouth and vodka or gin. Shake vigorously. Remove reserved rosemary leaves from the base of each sprig and thread with an olive or two. Remove glasses from freezer. Pour martini into glasses through a fine strainer, (this will insure no rosemary bits end up in the cocktail). Garnish with rosemary sprig and olives.

4. The Greek Peperontini

3 oz. gin (or vodka)
2 oz. Jeff’s Naturals Golden Greek Peperoncini brine
Splash of dry vermouth
Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini for garnish

Prep:
Pour liquor and peperoncini brine into a martini shaker with ice. Shake at least 30 seconds and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a peperoncini or two and enjoy!

5.Jeff’s Naturals Bloody Mary

4 oz. Bloody Mary mix
1-½ oz. Vodka
Splash of your favorite hot sauce
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Splash of brine from Jeff’s Naturals Olives or Peppers
Ice for serving
Assorted Jeff’s Naturals Peppers and Olives for garnish
1 celery stalk

Prep:
Stir Bloody Mary mix and Vodka together. Add a dash of hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of Jeff’s Naturals Olive or Pepper brine. Pour over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with your favorite Jeff’s Naturals Peppers and Olives. Finish with a stalk of celery.

Join Us for a “Bloody Mary Mixer” at Natural Products Expo West 2014!

March 1, 2014Cocktails, Company NewsBloody Mary, Bloody Mary Bar, Bloody Mary Garnish, Bloody Mary Recipe, Jeff's Naturals, Lakewood Organic Juice, Natural Products Expo West, Super Veggie, Tillen FarmsJeff's Naturals

Natural Products Expo West 2014 Bloody Mary Mixer

We are packing our bags and headed to Anaheim CA for Natural Products Expo West March 7-9, 2014! The event is the world’s largest tradeshow for the natural products industry and will bring together 60,000+ members of the natural products community inside the Anaheim Convention Center!

This year, we are taking things up a notch and will be joining Lakewood Juice to host a yummy Bloody Mary Bar on Saturday, March 8th from noon to 2PM at Booth #2997 in Hall C !

Bloody Marys are great, but they are even better with Jeff’s Naturals olives as garnishes, so we will be featuring our hugely popular Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives and our Jalapeño Stuffed Olives. Combine these with Lakewood Organic Super Veggie Juice, Tillen Farms Gourmet Green Beans and Asparagus as cocktail stirrers, and a handful of other ingredients (see recipe below) and you have yourself a tasty cocktail!!

Our executive chef, Natalie, will also be serving a delightful appetizer made with our BRAND NEW Diced Tamed Jalapeno Peppers (you’ll be among the first to try them)! So, if you are planning on attending this exciting convention, be sure to stop by Booth #2997 in Hall C to say hello.

If you can’t make it this year, don’t worry. We have provided our secret recipe (not a secret anymore!) for a “dern good Bloody Mary” so you can taste for yourself!! Enjoy!

Dern Good Bloody Mary