Tag Archives: Garlic Stuffed Olives

11 Feel-Good Snack Ideas

July 31, 2018Appetizers, RecipesAntipasto, Appetizer, Castelvetrano Olives, Entertaining, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Gluten Free, Healthy Lifestyle, Jeff's Naturals, Jeff's Naturals Products, Mediterranean Diet, Natural foods, Non-GMO, Olives, Pairings, Serving IdeasJeff's Naturals

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!

Try Our “No Cook” Recipes On Those Hot Summer Days

August 4, 2016Jalapeño Stuffed Olives, Jeff’s Naturals Imported Non-Pareil Capers, Main Dishes, Non-GMO, Organic Kalamata Olives, Paninis & Sandwiches, Paninis and Sandwiches, Peperoncini, Products, Recipes, Roasted Bell Peppers, Soups & Saladscold, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Imported Non-Pareil Capers, Jeff's Naturals, Jeff's Naturals Products, no cook meals, Non GMO Ingredients, Non-GMO, Olives, PeperonciniJeff's Naturals

You know what they say, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out off the kitchen”! Nothing could be truer on a sweltering summer day. But you still have to eat! What to do?

Not to worry, we have you covered. Anyone can prepare delicious dishes using Jeff’s Naturals all-natural line of olives, peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes. Our recipe catalog is chock full of ideas you can use to prepare meals that are not only delicious and refreshing, they come together effortlessly without the heat!

Here are some “no cook” recipes to dash up delicious meals without having to turn on the stove!

New! Stuffed Greek Pita

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

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. tomatoes, diced
6 c. spinach leaves
1 1/2 c. cucumber, thinly sliced
1 c. feta cheese, crumbled
1/3 c. Jeff’s Naturals Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives
1/4 c.Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini
1/4 c.Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Bell Pepper Strips
1 Tbsp. Jeff’s Naturals Imported Non-Pareil Capers
1/4 c. Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
5 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. Crushed Garlic
4 pita breads, about 6 inches diameter
*Calculated ingredients may not always be as accurate as the original recipe.

Preparation

In a mixing bowl combine the tomatoes, spinach, cucumber, feta, olives, peperoncinis, sweet bell pepper strips and capers.

In a separate bowl whisk together the olive oil, oregano, lemon juice, and crushed garlic.

Once ready to serve, toss the dressing with the vegetables. Cut the pita rounds in half and divide the mixture evenly among the 8 pita rounds.

Serve.

Delicious! Watermelon, Olive, Jalapeño and Feta Salad

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

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. Jeff’s Naturals™ Pitted Kalamata Olives, drained and diced
1 Tbsp. Jeff’s Naturals™ 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

Directions:

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.

Chef’s note: A refreshing salad, perfect side dish for any meal. Great with grilled dishes and sandwiches.

Refreshing! Cold Peperoncini and Cucumber Yogurt Soup

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

Ingredients

1 qt. Greek yogurt, plain
1 c. Jeff’s Naturals™ Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini
1 c. cucumbers, peeled and diced
1 tsp. cumin, ground
1 tsp. each parsley, oregano and mint
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Strain yogurt through cheesecloth to remove excess water and milk.

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Chill and serve cold.

Chef’s Note: Serve as shooters for a small appetizer, as a summer soup, or as a sauce for a light and healthy fish dish.

New! Muffuletta Sandwich

Prep Time: 15 min. | Total Time: 15 min. | Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

Olive Salad:

1/2 c. Jeff’s Naturals Organic Whole Pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
1/3 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 c. your favorite Jeff’s Naturals’s Stuffed Olives, chopped
3/4 c. giardiniera, drained & finely chopped
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Bread:

Hollow out 1 loaf round Italian bread

Cheese, Meats, Garnishes:

6 oz. provolone cheese, sliced
2 oz. capicollo, thinly sliced
2 oz. Genoa salami, thinly sliced
2 oz. ham, thinly sliced
1 tomato, sliced
Romaine lettuce

*Calculated ingredients may not always be as accurate as the original recipe.

Directions

Finely chop the vegetables and olives for the olive salad. Combine all salad ingredients; set aside.

Cut the loaf of bread in half crosswise. Use a small, serrated knife to score the inside of both halves about 1″ from the crust. Hollow the bread halves by pulling out the insides with your hands. Leave shells about 1″ thick. Save the bread chunks for other uses.

Spoon salad into bottom half of loaf. Layer 2 oz. cheese over the salad. Top with one type of meat; repeat.

Finish layering with last of cheese and meat. Top with tomato and lettuce.

Use an electric knife to cut the sandwich into four wedges. If you don’t have one, use a very sharp serrated knife. Just saw carefully and don’t press too hard–or you might squish the entire filling out.

Muffulettas can be served hot or cold.

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

Eight Dishes that Taste Better with Olives

July 12, 2015Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Organic Kalamata Olives, Recipes, TipsBlue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives, gourmet olives, Jalapeño Stuffed Olives, Kalamata Olives, olive dishes, Stuffed OlivesJeff's Naturals

There is something irresistible about Greek olives that makes them a favorite among foodies. What makes them so unique? Is it the salty, briny flavor? The meaty texture? The distinctive shape or the rich colors? Whatever it may be, olives are a staple in Mediterranean households and the highlight of many healthy dishes.

Here are eight dishes that simply taste better when you add wholesome ingredients like Kalamata Olives, Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives & Jalapeño Stuffed Olives from Jeff’s Naturals.

Pizza

Shake things up on pizza night with some unexpected ingredients like Roasted Bell Peppers, an assortment of sliced olives, pesto, goat cheese and a sprinkling of minced fresh herbs. Kalamata Olives & Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives can also add more flavor and punch to an old fashioned pepperoni pizza.

Tacos

Spice up your Taco Night by adding sliced Jalapeño Stuffed Olives to your filling. Don’t stop there! Our Garlic Stuffed Olives & Jalapeño Stuffed Olives go great with burritos, quesadillas and even nachos! You can also make an outstanding guacamole by adding chopped Jalapeño Stuffed Olives to mashed avocado along with a diced tomato and a squeeze of lime. Ole!

Beef, Chicken & Fish

Roughly chop your favorite Jeff’s Naturals olives and/or our Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto and scatter over grilled steak, chicken or vegetables and drizzle with a bit of its marinade.

Olives go great with just about any variety of fish. For any easy sauce, 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 fish with a garnish of minced fresh herbs.

Dress up grilled tilapia or mahi mahi with an easy homemade Artichoke and Green Olive Tapenade. You can also make a mean olive pesto sauce to serve with fish like this excellent recipe for Encrusted Salmon with Olive Pesto.

Salad

Salads and olives go together like bread and butter. When it comes to salad creations, the sky’s the limit. Here are a few ideas:

Add distinction to a classic Caesar salad with sliced Garlic Stuffed Olives.
Mix together pitted Castelvetrano Olives with mixed baby greens, orange sections, shaved fennel and a light lemon vinaigrette for a beautiful and refreshing side salad.
Toss Jeff’s Naturals™ Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto, along with its marinade, with romaine lettuce and tomato wedges. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and top with crumbled feta cheese for a super quick and delicious side salad.
Our Organic Pitted Whole Kalamata Olives combined with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil and red wine vinegar make for a very easy and refreshing Greek salad.

Snacks

Olives are meant for snacking. In fact, in Mediterranean countries like Greece and Italy, olives are one of the most popular snack foods (much healthier than chips)! On your next snack break, why not try our Garlic Stuffed Olives with hummus and warm pita bread? Better yet, top the warm pita and hummus with Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto and feta cheese.

Entertaining friends and family? Create a beautiful antipasto platter using Garlic Stuffed Olives, Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, and assorted meats and cheeses.

Pasta & Spaghetti Dishes

Mama mia! Olives add wonderful flavor and depth to most pasta dishes. For example, you can stir sliced Garlic Stuffed Olives into your favorite pasta sauce. Form meatballs around our Garlic Stuffed Olives for a delicious and surprising treat in your spaghetti sauce.

You could also toss sliced Kalamata Olives with hot pasta and a dash of olive oil and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a quick and delicious meal! For a colorful and satisfying pasta salad, add sliced olives to cooked pasta and toss with Roasted Red Bell Peppers, marinated Artichoke Hearts and red wine vinaigrette.

Sandwiches & Burgers

Sliced stuffed olives can transform ordinary burgers and sandwiches into an extraordinary meal when used as a topping. Upgrade your grilled cheese sandwich or Panini with sliced stuffed olives for a gourmet treat! For a yummy surprise, mix diced stuffed olives into burger patties, grill and top with melted cheese.

Omelets

Olives for breakfast? Indeed! Give your breakfast a Mediterranean flavor by adding chopped Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto to your morning omelet. You can also make an irresistible omelet by adding Kalamata Olives, Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, fresh herbs and a dollop of tangy goat cheese or crumbled feta.

Here are some additional recipes featuring Jeff’s Naturals 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

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

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

April 23, 2015Appetizers, Garlic Stuffed Olives, RecipesAntipasto, Bloody Mary Garnish, Bloody Mary Recipe, Fresh Garlic, Garlic, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Martinis, Olives, Spicy Italian Antipasto, TapendadJeff's Naturals

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

Roughly chop Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto scatter over grilled steak and drizzle with a bit of it’s herb marinade.

Create a generous antipasto platter using Garlic Stuffed Olives & Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto along with assorted meats and cheeses. Serve with your favorite Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.

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.

Add distinction to a classic Caesar salad with sliced Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives.

Serve our Garlic Stuffed Olives with hummus and warm naan (Indian flatbread) or pita bread.

Form meatballs around our Garlic Stuffed Olives for a delicious and surprising treat.

Slice Garlic Stuffed Olives and use as an appetizing topping for pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.

Stir sliced Garlic Stuffed Olives into your favorite pasta sauce for added flavor and depth.

Make a Rainbow Chard side dish with Garlic Stuffed Olives.

Use our Garlic Stuffed Olives to make a mean Artichoke and Green Olive Tapenade.

Garnish a bountiful savory Bloody Mary with Garlic Stuffed Olives and/or Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto.

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.

From Local Farms to Your Table- The Story Behind Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives

April 8, 2015Garlic Stuffed Olives, Local, UncategorizedCalifornia, California Farmers, California Garlic, Farm to Table, Farms, Fresh Garlic, Garlic, Garlic Farms, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Gilroy Garlic, Local Farms, Local GarlicJeff's Naturals

Throughout history, garlic has been utilized all over the world for its medicinal purposes and unique flavor. It’s versatility makes it a staple in everything from Asian to Mediterranean to Southwestern cuisine. In honor of National Garlic Month, we thought this would be a great time to give our garlic some due recognition.

If you have ever tried one of our Garlic Stuffed Olives, you’d understand why it’s a favorite among our consumers. The quality, consistency and addictive nature of these large, buttery olives hand stuffed with plump and savory cloves of garlic are simply unrivaled.

They can be enjoyed as a snack right out of the jar or used to garnish a bountiful Bloody Mary, add flavor to your salad, perk up a morning omelet and so much more!

From Farm to Table- The Story of Our Garlic

Where does our garlic come from?
The garlic used in Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives is sourced from local family run farms in Gilroy (also known as the “Garlic Capitol of the World”) and Bakersfield, California.

Why do we only use locally grown California garlic?
Garlic from California is simply better. The mild climate near the coast in California is perfect for growing garlic (preferable over the garlic from China), and our consumers get a much fresher product with more flavor.

How many pounds of garlic does Jeff’s Naturals use every year?
Our materials manager estimates we currently use about 15,000 pounds of garlic each year, and hope to double that number in the coming years!

When is the garlic harvested?
The garlic harvest season is July through September.

What happens to the garlic once it is harvested?
Since we harvest during the hot summer months, the garlic is brought in to special cooling rooms immediately after harvesting in the field (garlic needs to be cooled or else it will spoil in the heat). Once the garlic is cooled, it is peeled and placed in boxes before it is loaded onto refrigerated trucks where it stays fresh as it is transported to our Napa Valley production facility.

How long does will it take to make our Garlic Stuffed Olives?
The entire process usually happens within 48 hours of harvest. Once the garlic arrives, we almost immediately begin the process of handstuffing stuffing the olives (sourced from family farms in the Mediterranean) before we put them into jars and ship them to your local natural foods store for you enjoy.

Now that you know the story behind our fresh garlic, click here for simple serving ideas to help you enjoy Jeff’s Naturals Garlic Stuffed Olives and Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto even more!

photo credit: garlic via photopin (license)

photo credit: IMG_8297 viphotopa in (license)

Featured Natural Foods Store: Lamb’s Nature’s Choice Market

January 30, 2015Featured Retailers, Local, Non-GMOAll Natural, Castelvetrano Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Food Allergy, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Gluten Free, healthy eating habits, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Jeff's Naturals, Jeff's Naturals Products, Kalamata Olives, Kosher, Lamb's Nature's Choice Market, lifestyle, Mediterranean Diet, Natural foods, Naturals foods, Non GMO Ingredients, Non-GMO, Non-GMO Peppers, Olives, peppersJeff's Naturals

We know that everyone loves to find a great sale or bargain, so we are happy to let you know that Jeff’s Naturals is part of the It’s Only Natural sale at Lamb’s Nature’s Choice Market stores during the month of February!

That means that this is the perfect time for consumers to stock up and save up to 25% off of their favorite Jeff’s Naturals items at all Lamb’s Markets!

Lamb’s Nature’s Choice Market operates a number of independently managed food stores in the Pacific Northwest including

Nature’s Choice Market in Lake Oswego, OR
Garden Home in Portland, OR
Stroheckers in Portland, OR
Nature’s Choice Market in Wilsonville, OR

Our all-natural line of Mediterranean pantry staples can be found in all the above Lamb’s Market stores and in addition to Cutsforth Marketplace Thriftway in Canby, OR and Shop n Kart in Chehalis, WA.

Consumers with food sensitivities and allergies will appreciate “Free From” at Lamb’s, an Allergen Awareness Program developed to help their customers find appropriate foods for their special dietary needs. The store even offers a Gluten Free store tours with a local Gluten Free Lifestyle expert who offers suggestions for replacing old favorites with new ones. For more information on Lamb’s Market, please visit www.lambsmarkets.net.

Jeff’s Naturals can be found in natural food stores all over the country. To find a store near you, try our new store locator. You never know when you’ll find a great sale! Happy Shopping!

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.

“The Garlic Capital of America” to Host Annual Garlic Festival This Weekend

July 22, 2014Garlic Stuffed Olives, LocalCalifornia, Food Festival, Foodies, Garlic, Garlic Festival, Garlic Recipes, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Gilroy, Gilroy CAJeff's Naturals

What could possibly draw an estimated 100,000+ people to Gilroy, CA every summer for the past 36 years? Garlic of course!

The Gilroy Garlic Festival, one of the largest food festivals in the country, is a 3-day celebration of Gilroy’s robust garlic crop filled with incredible garlicky food, beverages, arts & crafts, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, a children’s area and so much more. This year’s festival is happening this weekend, July 25-27, 2014 at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, about 30 miles south of San Jose off Highway 101.

We, at Jeff’s Naturals, are fans of this festival not only because it raises millions of dollars for various local charities, but because each of our delectable Garlic Stuffed olives are hand stuffed with plump and savory cloves of garlic that were grown in nearby…..you guessed it……Gilroy, California, the garlic capital of the U.S.

If you ever have a chance to go, we highly recommend it! Here are 10 Garlic Festival attractions you must see:

1: Gourmet Alley Food
2: Free Garlic Ice Cream
3: Flame-ups by Gourmet Alley Pyro Chefs
4: Cook-off Theater
5: Arts & Crafts
6: Children’s Area
7: Gourmet Alley Demonstration Stage
8: Wine Pavilion
9: Amphitheater
10: Mercantile

Gilroy Garlic Festival — The “Pyro Chefs” in Gourmet Alley put on a spectacular flame-up show while preparing garlic-laced calamari and scampi in huge iron skillets. Photo Source: gilroygarlicfestival.com

Learn how garlic is harvested in the field by watching local experts compete in the garlic topping competition. Photo Source: gilroygarlicfestival.com

Carla Hall of ABC-TV’s “The Chew” hosted the Garlic Showdown and charmed Cook-Off Theater attendees with a cooking demonstration. Photo Source: gilroygarlicfestival.com

So when you are enjoying one of our garlic stuffed olives, take a moment to appreciate the family farms in Gilroy where these plump and savory cloves of garlic came from. To learn more about this unique festival, it’s history and the wonderful work these volunteers do for their community, visit gilroygarlicfestival.com.

Photo credit: besighyawn via photopin cc

Highlights from Natural Products Expo West

March 13, 2014Company NewsBloody Mary Bar, Bloody Mary Garnish, Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, ExpoWest, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Jalepeño Stuffed Olives, Lakewood Juice, Natural Products Expo West, Tillen FarmsJeff's Naturals

A record breaking crowd of 67,000 people, including our team, gathered in Anaheim CA last weekend to hear, see and taste the very latest and greatest in the natural products industry at the Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural products trade-show!

It was fun to see old friends and meet lots of new faces as we introduced our line of all natural pantry staples. We joined almost 3,000 other exhibitors for three days of presentations, meetings and samplings.

It was quite noticeable this year that the non-GMO movement is really taking hold and influencing the food choices consumers make, and we are proud to be among the exhibitors that are non-GMO certified. Jeff’s Naturals had an extremely successful showing at the expo, in fact, people flocked to our booth just to sample our products! Nice to see so many olive and pepper lovers out there!

One of our highlights of course was our very popular Bloody Mary Bar we co-hosted with Lakewood Juice with generous support from Tillen Farms on Saturday.

Guests who stopped by our booth were treated to a yummy Bloody Mary made with Lakewood Organic Super Veggie Juice and garnished Tillen Farms Gourmet Green Beans, Asparagus and an assortment of our stuffed olives including Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives or Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.

Needless to say, our cocktail party was a big hit. A big thanks goes out to Lakewood Juice and Tillen Farms for working with us! What fun we had!

Our executive chef made a very delicious appetizer with our BRAND NEW Diced Tamed Jalapeno Peppers to go with the cocktails, stay tuned for the recipe! If you missed it, click here for our “dern good Bloody Mary” recipe so you can enjoy one for yourself!!