Tag Archives: Antipasto

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (1)

11 Feel-Good Snack Ideas

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It happens to all of us. Some days, the lunch you had hours earlier is not cutting it. You need good snacks and you need them fast! It’s always a good idea to keep a list of quick “last minute” easy snack ideas on hand so you can stay focused on more important details.

Before you go for that bag of chips you’ll feel terrible about later, try some of these easy “feel-good” snack ideas using Jeff’s Naturals.  These simple combinations can be put together in just minutes and will satisfy that hunger until dinner time.

 

1. Create a quick antipasto platter using Garlic Stuffed Olives, Marinated Artichoke Hearts and Roasted Red Bell Peppers along with your favorite sliced deli meats and/or cheese.

2. Lightly chop Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives and toss with olive oil and capers. Spoon mixture over a soft cheese (or cream cheese) and serve with pita chips.

3. Make a plate with Roasted Bell Pepper Strips, feta cheese, hummus and sliced pita bread or pita chips.

4. Serve Castelvetrano Olives as a quick and addictive snack by themselves or alongside Spanish Marcona almonds and Manchego cheese.

5. Make a refreshing salsa with Sunshine Mix Mild Banana Pepper Rings, fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime juice. Serve with organic tortilla chips.

6. Top toasted baguette slices with ricotta cheese, minced rosemary, red grapes and Organic Pitted Whole Greek Kalamata Olives for a quick and delicious crostini.

7. Nosh on Garlic Stuffed Olives , Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini and/or Pitted Castelvetrano Olives right out of the jar!

8. Chop Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives and/or Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives and sprinkle on hummus. Enjoy with your favorite sliced veggies!

9. Mix ripe avocado(s) with diced red onion, Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, and lemon juice for a knock-out guacamole. Serve with your favorite organic tortilla chips or sliced bread.

10. Arrange sliced Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini on a small plate with sliced fresh mozzarella and julienned fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

11. Combine diced Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers with sour cream, lime zest, minced cilantro and hot or mild chili powder for an addictive taco dip to serve with tortilla chips.

We could list so many more ideas! What about you? What’s your favorite snack idea using Jeff’s Naturals? Need more inspiration? We’ve added new appetizers, cocktails and side dish recipes to our recipe page for your enjoyment!

 

Antipasto Skewers with Jeff's Naturals Marinated Artichoke Hearts

Fresh from Jeff’s Kitchen: Easy Antipasto Skewers

Appetizers, , , , , , , , ,

When we unveiled our new additions to our all-natural line of Mediterranean olives, peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes at Natrual Products Expo West last month, we were thrilled to hear a wide range of praise from members of the natural foods community from all over the world!  They couldn’t get enough of our new Sunshine Mix Mild Banana Pepper Rings, Pitted Castelvetrano Olives and Marinated Artichoke Hearts.

The bold Mediterranean flavor of these artichokes have inspired our chefs at to create new dishes and serving ideas to help you eat and live better! Hand picked and marinated with a perfectly seasoned family recipe, these Artichoke Hearts do not disappoint.

Our newest recipe, Antipasto Skewers, are an elegant yet easy appetizer to make ahead for any party or get together. You can make the antipasto skewers ahead of time and drizzle with balsamic and olive oil just before serving. Get creative and add any of your favorite Jeff’s Naturals pitted or stuffed olives (like Feta or Garlic) and Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4 (2 skewers per person)

INGREDIENTS
1 jar (6.5 oz) Jeff’s Naturals Marinated Artichoke Hearts, drained
½ (12 oz.) container of marinated mozzarella balls
¼ c. Jeff’s Naturals Organic Pitted Whole Greek Kalamata Olives
1 pt. grape or cherry tomatoes
4 oz. sliced salami
6 fresh basil leaves, large leaves can be torn in half
Balsamic glaze (store-bought in vinegar isle) and extra virgin olive oil to garnish
Skewers or long tooth picks

PREPARATION
In any order, skewer a variety of the ingredients onto each skewer. Drizzle the finished skewers with balsamic glaze and olive oil and serve.

Bagel and Capers

Jeff’s Naturals Makes Breakfast Even Better

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This recent headline certainly caught our attention: More Than Half of Americans Skip Breakfast at Least Once a Week, Study Says

How can this be? Doesn’t everybody know that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day? Hasn’t everybody heard the old saying “Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dine like a Pauper”?

There are countless reasons to take a few minutes in the morning to enjoy a healthy breakfast, but overall health and wellness tops the list. This recent Consumer Reports article states “Breakfast eaters tend to have better diets overall, consuming more fruit, vegetables, milk, and whole grains than non-breakfast eaters.”

Therefore, in celebration of National Breakfast Month, let us please remind our readers to eat a healthy breakfast. Not only will you feel better, you’ll be more productive and your body will thank you. Here are some ideas we found to make your first meal of the best.

Jeff's Naturals for Breakfast

Omelets & Eggs
For an out of this world scramble, add diced Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes or Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and grated Parmesan cheese to your morning eggs.

Try giving your morning omelet a Mediterranean flavor by adding a few of these ingredients:

Quiches & Fritatas
Add about 4 oz of diced Jeff’s Naturals Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes to liven up your favorite quiche recipe.

Add Jeff’s Naturals™ Roasted Bell Pepper Strips in your quiche, fritatta, or scrambled eggs

Bloody Marys
Use Jeff’s Naturals™ Jalapeño Stuffed Olives & Peperoncini or Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto to spice up your favorite Bloody Mary (on the weekends of course)!

Bagels
Bagels with lox and cream cheese are event better topped with sliced onions Capers & Roasted Bell Pepper Strips.

Bagel and Capers

JN
smoked_salmon_caper_crepe_web

INGREDIENTS
Crêpe Batter:
1 c. flour
2 eggs
6 Tbsp. melted butter (plus more for coating pan)
1 ½ c. whole milk

Filling:
½ c. ricotta cheese
¾ c. whipped cream cheese1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
8 oz. smoked salmon
4 oz. Jeff’s Naturals Imported Non-Pareil Capers
½ sm. Red onion, thinly sliced

Directions:
Add all crepe ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. In a large non-stick sauté pan on medium-high heat, add just enough butter to coat the pan. Slowly pour in crepe batter while holding pan off the heat and swirling the crepe batter in a circular motion to get a thin layer of batter on the bottom of the sauté pan. Cook for about 1 ½ minutes or until loosened from the bottom of the pan and lightly browned. Flip the crepe and cook another minute until lightly browned. Remove from pan and place on plate and continue process until batter is gone.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, cream cheese, lemon juice and zest, and dill. Season with cracked pepper.

To assemble the crepes, spread a small amount of the cheese and dill mixture over one half of the crepe. Add a thin layer of smoked salmon on top of half of the cheese, generously sprinkle with capers, add thinly sliced onion and fold crepe into quarters and serve.

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breakfast_sandwich_web
INGREDIENTS
4 slices pancetta
2 eggs, cooked over easy
2 tablespoons Pesto
½ cup Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Red Peppers, drained and patted dry
2/3 cup arugula

PREPARATION
Preheat panini press.
Place pancetta slices in panini press and cook about 3 minutes or until crispy. Remove from press and set aside.
To assemble the paninis, add a tablespoon of pesto on the top inside slice of each sandwich. Add the eggs to the bottom slice of bread. Top the egg with arugula, pancetta, and a layer of roasted red pepper. Top the sandwich with the pesto bread slice and place into the panini press for about 5 minutes or until slightly crispy and golden.

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breakfast_burrito

INGREDIENTS
6 eggs
1/4 c. milk
2 c. frozen Potatoes O’Brien hash browns
Oil to coat pan for frying
6 oz. raw breakfast sausage
½ c. Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Red Peppers, chopped
½ c. shredded cheese
1 avocado
Jeff’s Naturals Diced Tamed™ Jalapeño Peppers to top
4-6 tortillas
Optional: Sour cream, salsa and sliced green onion to top

PREPARATION
Crack eggs into a mixing bowl add milk, a pinch of salt and fresh cracked black pepper and whisk.

In a large sauté pan on medium high heat, add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add hash browns and fry for about 5 minutes until slightly golden in color. Add breakfast sausage into the pan, break up with a wooden spoon and cook another 7 minutes or until sausage is done. Add egg mixture and chopped roasted red peppers and stir occasionally, lower heat to medium while cooking the eggs for about 6 minutes or until eggs are done. Turn heat off, sprinkle cheese on top to melt.

Assemble the burritos with the egg and hash brown mixture, top with your desired toppings and add the jalapeño peppers for some heat and crunch.

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Zucchini and Olive Breakfast Cake, French-Style on the kitchn

Frittata with Avocado, Roasted Peppers, Olives and Feta

photo credit: feministjulie via photopin cc

How to Build the Perfect Antipasto Platter

Appetizers, , , ,

Jeff's Naturals Antipasto Platter

Want to know a the trick to serving elegant party food with a minimal amount of time and effort? Set out an antipasto platter and watch it disappear.

Antipasto is typically a combination platter made up of olives, vegetables, peppers, cheese, meats, breads, crackers, etc. It’s commonly referred to as mezze, tapas or antipasti. Whatever you call it, antipasto platters are perfect for a romantic alfresco dinner, backyard barbeque, Friday night cocktails, a terrific tailgate party or even a fun weeknight dinner with a European flair.

“When it’s done right, an antipasto plate will bring a relaxed spirit and friendly, casual conversation to your meal,” it says in this Whole Foods antipasto guide. “No matter the occasion, serving antipasto is the perfect way to slow things down and savor great food at a dinner, picnic, cocktail party—you name it.”

The key to a great antipasto platter is to serve small bites of tasty food. Choose colorful ingredients that compliment each other and serve on a large, attractive platter. If the occasion is right, enjoy with wine.

To help take the guesswork out of what to include on your antipasto platter, follow our “antipasto platter matrix” :

Step One. Begin with bread and/or crackers

Choose 1-2 from the following

Water Crackers
Sliced Baguette
Crisp Flatbread
Pita Bread cut into triangles
Focaccia Bread
Toasted Garlic Rounds

Step Two. Arrange bread/crackers around the edge of the platter and add in your meats and/or cheeses.

Choose 2-3 from list below

Camembert cheese
Havarti cheese
Feta
Gouda
Goat Cheese
Smoked Provolone
Shaved Parmesean
Brie
Marinated Fresh Mozzarella
Gruyère
Thinly Sliced Genoa Salami
Shaved Prosciutto
Natural Pepperoni
Smoked Ham
Sardines
Smoked Salmon
Manchego cheese

Vegan Options:
Olive Tapenade
Hummus
Roasted Vegetables

Step Three: Add in fruits & vegetables

Choose 3-4 from list below

Marinated artichoke hearts
Roasted Red Peppers
Garlic-Stuffed Olives
Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives and/or Feta Stuffed Olives
Fresh Cantaloupe
Red Grapes
Sliced Apples
Castelvetrano Olives
Dried Cranberries
Sweet Pickles
Dried and/or fresh figs
Whole Kalamata Olives
Jalepeño Stuffed Olives
Sliced Cucumbers

Step Four: Add the finishing touches

Choose 1-2 of the following

Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini
Capers
Roasted Almonds
Walnuts
Pine Nuts

Step Five:  Serve with your favorite beverage, relax and enjoy!

Simple Ways to Treat Yourself with Garlic Stuffed Olives & Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto

Appetizers, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Recipes, , , , , , , , ,

Jeff's Naturals Garlic Olives Antipasto

April is National Garlic Month, so we are highlighting some of our favorite ways to enjoy Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives & Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto! Each delectable olive is hand stuffed with locally grown garlic of California, typically within 48 hours of harvest. The quality, consistency and addictive nature of these olives are unrivaled.  Learn more about the farm to table story of our garlic.

Simple serving Ideas for Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives & Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto

  • Toss Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto into a salad with a delicious vinaigrette made by whisking a bit of it’s marinade with extra virgin olive oil.
Recipe: Rainbow Chard with Garlic Stuffed Olives
Recipe: Rainbow Chard with Garlic Stuffed Olives –Click here for recipe.
Recipe: Artichoke-Green Olive Tapenade
Artichoke and Green Olive Tapenade- Click here for recipe.
Jeff's Naturals Bloody Mary
Jeff’s Naturals Bloody Mary-Click here for recipe.

For more inspiration and to learn more about our products, please visit our recipe page.

When it Comes to Flavor and Fun, a Little Peperoncini Goes a Long Way

Main Dishes, Peperoncini, Soups & Salads, Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Ugh…Pasta for dinner again?”

Does this sound familiar? If so, may we suggest adding a little twist to your regular quick weeknight dish? Why not throw in some Jeff’s Naturals sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini to liven things up! A little bit goes a long way to bring plenty flavor and fun to the table!

The possibilities are endless, you just have to get creative!

For instance, did you know you could liven up any sandwich or wrap with a hearty helping of our peperoncini? You can also toss peperoncini into a mixed green salad or top it on a pizza for an extra punch of flavor!

Pizza

How about creating a plentiful antipasto platter with our Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini, Kalamata Olives, marinated Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and assorted meats and cheeses? Or add some peperoncini & feta to your mac ‘n cheese for a spicy kick to the traditional recipe!

Who knew there were so many ways peperoncini can save dinner?

Here are 3 easy recipes that just may become an instant classic for you and your family! And with so little prep or need for a clean up, these dishes also made an ideal weeknight dinner (very helpful as the kids head back to school!).

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Mediterranian Salad

1- 16 oz. package of dried rotelle pasta
8 oz. Jeff’s Naturals sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, drained & chopped
8 oz. Jeff’s Naturals Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives, drained
8 oz. Jeff’s Naturals Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, not drained
8 oz. Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Bell Pepper Strips, chopped
2 Jars (4 oz) marinated Artichoke Hearts, drained, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper

Preparation
Boil Pasta according to the directions on the package. Rinse under cold water and drain thoroughly. Add pasta to a medium sized bowl along with the remaining ingredients. Blend together. The pasta salad may be served immediately or stored covered in the refrigerator for the following day. Enjoy!

Jeff’s Kickin’ Turkey Meatball Sandwich

Meatball Sandwich

2 c. prepared turkey meatballs
1 jar gourmet pasta sauce, (We like Tomato Basil- YUM!)
1 medium red onion
4 soft sandwich rolls
1 c. Jeff’s Naturals sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini
4 oz. provolone cheese, sliced

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Heat 1/4 c. olive oil and prepare turkey meatballs according to package directions. Add pasta sauce and simmer on low. While meatballs are cooking, slice onion and cook in a skillet on medium high heat with remaining olive oil until edges are caramelized.

Open sandwich rolls and place on a baking sheet. Place onions on one side of the sandwich rolls. Place peperoncinis on the other side and top with provolone cheese. Heat in oven for five minutes, or until cheese melts. Remove pan from oven and add turkey meatballs to sandwiches. Serve with remaining sauce.

Best Ever Greek Salad

Greek Salad

1 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 c. white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 c. feta cheese, diced
8 oz. Jeff’s Naturals sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, drained & chopped
2 jars (15 oz.) Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Bell Pepper Strips, drained & sliced
3 green bell peppers, seeds and membranes removed, sliced
3 large cucumbers, preferably seedless, peeled and sliced
1 jar (16 oz.) jar Jeff’s Naturals Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives, drained and roughly chopped
2 large red onions, peeled and thinly sliced
1-1/2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation
Combine all of the ingredients together in a stainless or non-reactive bowl, and toss together. Allow to marinate 15 minutes. Toss again before serving. Serve on nicely arranged lettuce leaves.

photo credit: mhaithaca via photopin cc

7 Ways to Enjoy Jeff’s Naturals Organic Kalamata Olives

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All About A Kalamata

Kalamatta Olives

There is something special about Kalamata Olives, sometimes referred to as “Greek olives”. What makes them so unique? Is it the flavor? The meaty texture? The distinctive almond shape or the rich dark color?  Whatever it is, Kalamata Olives are a staple in Mediterranean households and the highlight of many healthy dishes.

Jeff’s Naturals Organic Pitted Whole Kalamata Olives and Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives are Gluten Free, Non-GMO Verified, Organic and Vegan. Though there are countless ways to enjoy them.  Here are seven tasty ideas:

1. Toss pitted Jeff’s Naturals Organic Pitted Whole Kalamata Olives with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil and red wine vinegar for a refreshing Greek salad.

2. Serve them as part of a gourmet cheese plate or antipasto platter. Enjoy with Romano and/or Feta cheese and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot (from Napa Valley of course)!

3. Combine Jeff’s Naturals Organic Pitted Whole Kalamata Olives in a food processor with garlic, anchovy filets, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil for a terrific tapenade. Spread it on fish or chicken before baking or serve it as a spread with crackers or crusty bread.

4. Dress up a plain cheese pizza with a handful of Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives and a sprinkling of minced fresh oregano.

5. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil, toss in a handful of sliced or pitted Kalamata Olives and a cup or two of diced tomatoes. Simmer and serve over chicken or fish with a garnish of minced fresh herbs.

6. Serve Jeff’s Naturals Kalamata Olives alongside hummus and feta cheese with warm pita triangles.

7. Make a memorable omelet by adding Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives and a dollop of tangy goat cheese.

We have gone through great lengths to ensure our Organic Kalamata Olives are the highest quality. Our olives are grown in Kalamata, Greece and the surrounding countryside. We source our olives from small family farms in Greece with whom we’ve been working for many years. Jeff and our Italy-based import manager visit Greece frequently throughout the harvest to ensure that only the best quality of olives.

Here are some additional recipes featuring Jeff’s Naturals Kalamata Olives.  Enjoy!

Pasta Nicoise
Indian Summer Palette Salad
Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini
Encrusted Salmon with Olive Pesto
Deep Dish Party Pizzas
Mediterranean Couscous
Watermelon, Olive, Jalapeño and Feta Salad

Jeff’s Naturals Celebrates 2 Year Anniversary by Launching New Products!

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Diced-Jalepenos_AntipastoIt’s been a great year for Jeff’s Naturals! We were elated to learn that we are now the #1 olive brand in the natural channel*­ and the #2 brand in peppers!

How did we celebrate?

Well, we threw one heck of a cocktail party at Natural Products Expo West earlier this month, but we are also celebrating by introducing TWO new products to our line of all natural pantry staples.

Meet the newest members of the Jeff’s Naturals family:

Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto
Need an instant appetizer? Our new Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto is perfect for snacking! This colorful combination of large green olives, tangy peperoncini, rich red bell peppers and fresh, savory garlic is sure to be a hit at your next party, on a salad, or on the go! This new addition is a “must-have” for any antipasto platter.

Diced Tamed Jalapeño Peppers
To say that our fans rave about our Sliced Tamed Jalapeños would be an understatement!  Due to popular demand, we are happy to introduce our Diced Tamed Jalapeño Peppers! Use them on sandwiches, nachos, pizzas, omelets and dips like this Supreme Artichoke Dip for a bit of “zing” without the burn!

These yummy hybrid peppers were created exclusively for us by horticulturists at Texas A&M University by combining traditional jalapeño peppers with bell peppers to create a proprietary “harmless” jalapeño. The result?  A pleasant pepper flavor with much less heat. Our peppers are sourced in California and packed within 24-hours of harvest so you can enjoy the freshest taste possible!

Like all of our products, these two new additions are all natural and contain no sulfites or artificial anything. ­Just fresh, clean ingredients and remarkable taste. The Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto and Diced Tamed Jalapeño Peppers are also certified Non-GMO, Vegan and Gluten Free. Click here to learn more about our certifications!

Got questions? Feel free to post them on our Facebook page, we are always checking! You can also email your questions to consumerinfo@jeffsnaturals.com . Be sure to ask your favorite natural foods store about these new products so you can try them for yourself!

*SPINSscan data ending July 2013