Tag Archives: Burgers

Roasted Tomato Sauce with Pasta- Photo @Vegetarianmamma.

How to Conquer Fast Weeknight Dinners

Roasted Tomato Sauce with Pasta- Photo @Vegetarianmamma

If you’re like most people, you’re probably have a lot on your plate and the idea of putting dinner on the table for your family each night seems like a daunting if not impossible task. However, we all know that making time for family meals during the week is important. Multiple studies have demonstrated that a family who spends just 20 minutes at the dinner table each night is likely to spend less money on food, have better eating habits, better grades, and experience less stress overall.

We know your schedule is tight, especially during the week, so we wanted to share a few tips for making quick, quality meals that help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family. These simple meal ideas using Jeff’s Naturals pantry staples will help create family friendly dinners on the fly!

  • Roughly chop Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives, scatter over grilled steak and drizzle with a bit of the wine and herb marinade.
  • Combine Jeff’s Naturals Imported Non-Pareil Capersin a hot pan with butter, lemon juice, and white wine for a classic Chicken Picatta.
  • Sautée Jeff’s Naturals Marinated Artichoke Hearts with minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and a splash of red wine for a quick, delicious pasta sauce.
    Pour an entire jar of NVB Italian Olive Antipasto, marinade and all, over a pot roast and braise for several hours until the meat is tender.
  • Stuff a chicken breast with Jeff’s Naturals Marinated Artichoke Hearts and goat cheese, coat with seasoned breadcrumbs and bake until nicely browned and cooked through.
  • Stir Jeff’s Naturals Marinated Artichoke Heartsinto a creamy risotto, along with grated Parmesan cheese and finely grated lemon zest.
  • Substitute your usual black olive with diced Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives on your next taco for a twist with some added color.
  • Toss diced Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes with hot cooked pasta, minced garlic and fresh basil. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
  • Simmer minced Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes with diced fresh tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs for a light pasta sauce with intense tomato flavor.
  • Add pitted, sliced Pitted Castelvetrano Olives to hot couscous, along with salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, sliced green onions and chopped flat-leaf parsley.
  • Use sliced Jeff’s Naturals Jalapeño Stuffed Olives as a unique, spicy filling for tacos, burritos and quesadillas or as an unexpected topping for classic nachos.
  • Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil, toss in a handful of sliced or pittedJeff’s Naturals Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives and a cup or two of diced tomatoes. Simmer and serve over chicken or fish with a garnish of minced fresh herbs.
  • For a quick, satisfying meal, toss sliced Jeff’s Naturals Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives with hot pasta and a dash of olive oil Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and enjoy!
  • For a special soup, add a drained jar of Roasted Bell Pepper Strips to sauteed onions and garlic along with broth and a diced potato. Simmer until potato is soft, puree until smooth, add heavy cream and season to taste.
  • Add a drained jar of Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and sliced Yellow Bell Peppers to fajita-style beef or chicken and serve with flour tortillas, spicy salsa and fresh guacamole.
  • Pour an entire jar of Jeff’s Naturals
    Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, brine and all, over a pork roast and braise for several hours until the meat is tender. Shred the meat and use as a scrumptious taco filling.
  • Make a spicy chicken quesadilla by layering shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sliced grilled chicken and sliced Jeff’s Naturals Sunshine Mix Mild Banana Pepper Rings into a large flour tortilla. Cook in an oiled skillet to melt the cheese.

It’s possible to come with great meals, even during hectic weeknights. Browse our recipe page for more quick, delicious, family-pleasing dishes!

Fourth of July Cookout

Eight Great Cookout Recipes with a Fresh New Twist

Now that summer is in full gear, it’s time to light up the grill and get cooking! Since just about everyone loves a good old-fashioned summer BBQ, we wanted to share some of our favorite All-American Cookout Classics with a Mediterranean twist. These crowd-pleasing appetizers, sides, and main dishes may even top the Fourth of July fireworks!

#1 Pepper Stuffed Burger

Fourth of July Recipe Burgers

Prep Time: 5 min.
Total Time: 20 min.
Serves: 1

INGREDIENTS
6 ounces ground hamburger, 80/20
1 ½ tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons Jeff’s Garden Diced Tamed Jalapeños
Hamburger bun,toastedToppings: lettuce, sliced onion, guacamole, tomato, cooked bacon and extra Jeff’s Garden Diced Tamed Jalapeños

PREPARATION
Divide and firmly shape the meat into 2 patties. Place cheese and jalapenos into the center of one patty, leaving the outer edge free. Top with the second patty and pinch the edges together. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat grill. On medium-high heat, cook each side of the burger for 6 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160°F. Remove from grill and set aside.
On a toasted bun, add lettuce, onion, burger, guacamole, tomato, bacon and more Mezzetta Peppers.

#2 Baja Fruit Salad

MZ_RecipeImage_Baja_Fruit_Salad
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 45 min.
Serves: 2-4

INGREDIENTS
2 cans (20 oz.) juiced packed pineapple chunks, drained
1 can (15 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup Jeff’s Garden Roasted Bell Pepper Strips, chopped
1/2 cup chopped jicama
1 t. brown sugar
1 t. fresh lime juice
1 t. chopped fresh cilantro
2 T. shredded coconuts

PREPARATION
Combine all ingredients except coconut in a large bowl and toss well to mix. Top with coconut just before serving. Makes about 4 servings.

#3 Mexican Hot Dogs With Grilled Corn Salsa

MEXICAN HOT DOGS WITH GRILLED CORN SALSA
Photo Courtesy of Heart Beet Kitchen

A delicious spicy twist on Hot Dogs made with Jeff’s Naturals diced Jalapenos. Click here for full recipe.

#4 Peperoncini Potato Salad

Cook Out Potato Salad

Prep Time: 5 min.
Total Time: 25 min.
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds medium red skin potatoes, rinsed
1 cup Jeff’s Garden Deli-Sliced Peperoncini, drained, with brine reserved
3 tablespoons Jeff’s Garden Non-Pareil Capers, drained
½ fresh lemon, zested
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper

PREPARATION
Place washed potatoes into a pot with cold water, season with salt so it tastes “salty like the sea” and bring water to a boil on high heat. Cook potatoes until they are easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 15 minutes.

Drain and rinse under cool water. Cut potatoes into bite size pieces and place into a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the peperoncini, capers, zest and parsley. Drizzle on the olive oil and gently toss to combine. Add a tablespoon or two of the peperoncini brine for some added “zing”. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

#6 Mediterranean Burger

Mediterranean Burger
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 30 min.
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS
2 lb. 80/20 ground beef, divided into 4 patties
Salt and pepper, to season
½ c. feta cheese, crumbled
½ c. Jeff’s Garden Organic Sliced Kalamata Olives, roughly chopped
1/3 c. Jeff’s Garden Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, roughly chopped
4 hamburger buns, toasted
Toppings – baby spinach and sliced red onion

PREPARATION
Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat. Season each side of the burger patties with salt and pepper. When skillet is hot, cook each side of the burger for 4-5 minutes or to your desired doneness. Top with feta cheese during the last few minutes of cooking time.

To assemble the burgers, place the burger on the bottom half of the toasted bun, next add olives and sundried tomatoes. Top with spinach and red onion and serve hot.
Chef’s note: for a Greek burger spread, try mixing the feta cheese into some Greek yogurt, add some fresh mint and smear onto the burger buns.

#7 Mediterranean Bean Salad

Tuscan-Bean-Salad
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 1 hr. 10 min
Serves: 8-10

INGREDIENTS
1 can (15 oz.) small white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 jar Artichoke Hearts, coarsely chopped (not drained)
1 c. Jeff’s Garden Roasted Red Bell Peppers, coarsely chopped (not drained)
3/4 c. Jeff’s Garden Organic Pitted Whole Greek Kalamata Olives, cut in halves
1/2 c. red onion, finely chopped
1/4 c. Jeff’s Garden Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes (not drained)
2 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
1/2 c. fresh basil, sliced thin
salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION
Stir together all ingredients except basil. Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, for a least 1 hour. Stir in basil just before serving.

#8 Watermelon, Olive, Jalapeño and Feta Salad

WatermelonSalad

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

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbsp. Jeff’s Garden Pitted Kalamata Olives, drained and diced
1 Tbsp. Jeff’s Garden Sliced Tamed Jalapeño Peppers, drained and diced
2 c. seedless watermelon, rind removed, cut into 1”cubes
1/2 c. feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 c. red onion, finely diced
1 Tbsp. mint leaves, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. green onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION:
In a large mixing bowl add all ingredients and gently mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Served chilled.