Tag Archives: Jeff’s Naturals

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (1)

11 Feel-Good Snack Ideas

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!

 

Sensational Salads to Celebrate National Salad Month!

Did you know that May is National Salad Month? You do now! We’re celebrating by sharing secrets to creating fabulous and refreshing salads using unique ingredients. Here are some tasty tips to punch it up and wake up your palette with these sensational salads. Be inspired and be healthy!

Start with Leafy Greens to build your base.

Fig Salad with Blue Cheese Olives
Look for dark leafy greens packed with important nutrients like folic acid – think baby spinach, kale, arugula or a spring mix that includes a variety of dark greens.

Pile on colorful fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs!

Citrus and Olive Salad
As a general rule of thumb, the more seasonal and local your vegetables are, the better (think Farmers Markets). This is the perfect time to indulge in a multitude of fresh seasonal fruits, veggies, and herbs.

Add Protein

Salad Nicoise

Adding protein to your salad like grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, water-packed chunk light tuna, wild-caught salmon, lean steak or turkey breast can make your salad more satisfying. If you wish to skip the animal protein, cubed tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, beans or other legumes are great alternatives.

Don’t overdo it with the “extras”

Castelvetrano salad
Toppings like chopped nuts, seeds, shredded cheese, croutons, dried cranberries or raisins and salad dressings are fantastic on salads but have the potential to pack in too much fat and calories if you aren’t careful. For less fat and more flavor in your meals, think about adding something zesty and flavorful to your salad like Sliced Peperoncini or Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.

Here are some more salad tips to inspire you:

  • Toss Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes with chilled cooked pasta, sliced Kalamata Olives and Marinated Artichoke Hearts for a colorful and delicious pasta salad.
  • Toss pitted Castelvetrano Olives with mixed baby greens, orange sections, shaved fennel and a light lemon vinaigrette for a beautiful and refreshing salad.
  • Toss Marinated Artichoke Hearts with salad greens, sliced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette.
  • For a tangy vegetarian version of a classic Caesar salad, use Capers in place of the traditional anchovies.
  • Toss 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 salad.
  • Toss pitted Kalamata Olives with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil and red wine vinegar for a refreshing Greek salad.
  • Add diced Jalapeño Stuffed Olives to a Southwestern black bean salad.
  • Toss Sliced Peperoncini into a mixed green salad for an extra punch of flavor.
  • Add Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers to salads for a boost of color and flavor.
  • Arrange Roasted Bell Pepper Strips on a serving plate along with sliced fresh mozzarella and julienned fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Avocado Toast Sampler

Tasty Avocado Toast with a Delicious Twist

We love avocado toast in the morning, at lunch, in the afternoon, for a late evening snack or appetizer. You can never go wrong with this tasty and simple snack idea. As perfect as we think avocado toast is, why not elevate it by adding wholesome Mediterranean ingredients like from our all-natural line of olives, peppers, artichoke hearts, capers and sun-dried tomatoes?

This “toast with a twist” is light enough for spring and summer gatherings but hearty enough to satisfy any appetite. Get creative and prepare one topping or all of them for a vivid and tasty sampler!

AVOCADO TOAST SAMPLER

Avocado Toast Sampler
Prep Time: 10 min.Total Time: 20 min.Serves: 16

INGREDIENTS
1 small baguette (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large ripe avocado
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Toppings (each tops 4 toasts):
2 teaspoons Imported Non-Pareil Capers, drained
2 slices smoked salmon, about 1 ounce
1 extra-large hard-boiled egg, sliced
2 tablespoons Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons Roasted Bell Pepper Strips, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons crumbled feta
2 teaspoons lemon zest

PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 350°. Slice baguette diagonally into sixteen ½-inch slices. Brush both sides with the olive oil. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until golden, about 8 minutes.

Halve avocado lengthwise and remove pit; scoop flesh into a small bowl. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper and mash to a chunky paste. Spread on toasted bread. Top with your preferred topping (or all of them!) along with a dash of coarse salt.

Jeff's Naturals Loaded Sweet Potato

Quick & Healthy Weeknight Dinner: Jeff’s Naturals Loaded Sweet Potato

Back in November, we asked our fans to submit their favorite recipe & photo using Jeff’s Naturals products for a chance to win some cash and some Jeff’s Naturals goodies. Lucky for us, Emily from One Lovely Life  shared her delicious and super simple Black Bean & Chipotle Stuffed Potato recipe and photo. “One of my favorites,” she writes. “Such an inexpensive and easy meatless dinner. Use your favorite taco toppings to build an amaaaaazing potato.”

This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy our Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños. It also reveals Emily’s fail-proof method for baking the perfect sweet potato. Read One Lovely Life’s post, 6 Amazing Ways to Stuff a Baked Sweet Potato for more creative ideas.

Black Bean & Chipotle Stuffed Potato

Recipe by One Lovely Life
Note: There are no measurements to track, all you have to do is stuff your potato according to your individual tastes.

Jeff's Naturals Stuffed Sweet Potato

 

Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes (however many you’d like to bake)
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Black beans
Avocado
Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Bell Pepper Strips
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Baby tomatoes (optional)
Jeff’s Naturals Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños (optional)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Wash all potatoes and stab with a fork or a knife several times each (6-8 times at least).

Rub each potato with a thin layer of olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and place on baking sheet to prevent spills. You can place them directly on the rack if you like.

Bake 45-60 minutes, or until you can pierce them easily with a knife.

Make a slit lengthwise end-to-end across the top and fluff the inside with a fork. Stuff with toppings: black beans, avocado, peppers, Chipotle Ranch Dressing and (optional) tomatoes & Jalapeños.

Visit One Lovely Life for more delicious ideas and recipes.

A Delicious Quiche for Mother’s Day Brunch

Want to really “WOW” Mom on Mother’s Day this year? You can never go wrong with breakfast in bed or a delightful brunch!

The chefs have been hard at work in the Jeff’s Naturals test kitchen creating new ways to enjoy our delicious all-natural line of olives, peppers, artichoke hearts, capers and sun-dried tomatoes.

Here’s a delicious quiche you can make this Mother’s Day with our Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and our new Marinated Artichoke Hearts! As an added bonus, Mom will love the fact this quiche is made with our certified non-GMO ingredients with no preservatives, additives, sulfites, artificial colors or flavors. Just pure & delicious food for the woman who deserves it the most!

Serve this with a tasty fruit salad and a flavorful Bloody Mary for a knock-out Mother’s Day Brunch she’ll appreciate for years to come.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper & Artichoke Quiche

Roasted Red Bell Pepper & Artichoke Quiche

Prep Time: 30 min.
Total Time: 1 hr. 40 min.
Serves: 6-8

2 ready-made pie crusts
1/2 jar Jeff’s Naturals Marinated Artichoke Hearts
1/2 jar Jeff’s Naturals Roasted Bell Pepper Strips
8 large eggs
1 shallot, grated
2 Tbsp. crushed garlic
1/2 c. whole milk
1/2 c. Mascarpone cheese, softened (here’s a quick recipe to substitute if you can’t find it in your store)
1 c. Fontina cheese, grated
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 c. Mozzarella cheese, grated

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake pie crusts for 12 minutes.

Chop artichoke hearts and brown lightly in a pan on medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool. Cut roasted red bell peppers into ¼ inch by 1 inch long slices. Set aside.

Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add shallot, garlic, milk, Mascarpone, Fontina, salt and pepper. Add spinach and artichokes. Mix well.

Pour mixture carefully into pie pans. Sprinkle red peppers into mixture, then top with Mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 55 minutes. Center will seem slightly underdone, but will continue cooking as it cools. Cool quiche for 20 minutes before serving.

Time Saving Tip: Make the evening before and warm it up the next morning for a delicious and lovely Mother’s Day surprise! When you are ready to re-heat the quiche, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the quiche in the oven for about 15 -20 minutes or until the center is warmed through.

Mexican Street Corn Salsa with Jeff's Naturals Diced Tamed Jalapeño Peppers

Fresh From Jeff’s Kitchen: Mexican Street Corn Dip

In honor of Cinco de Mayo this week, we wanted to introduce a new Southwest/Mexican inspired recipe that is simple to make and darn delicious!

The recipe calls for our delicious Diced Tamed™ Jalapeño Peppers so you can enjoy the pepper flavor with less intense heat. However, feel free to crank up the heat by adding or subbing out 1/2 cup of our Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers, roughly chopped. Or, you can get creative and add about 1/2 cup of chopped Sunshine Mix Mild Banana Pepper Rings or Roasted Bell Pepper Strips!

Serve warm with chips along with a fresh margarita and your guests will be chanting “mas mas mas!”

Delicious & Hot Mexican Street Corn Dip In honor of Cinco de Mayo this week, we wanted to introduce a new Southwest/Mexican inspired recipe that is simple to make and darn delicious!  Serve warm with chips along with a fresh margarita and your guests will be chanting “mas mas mas!”

Mexican Street Corn Dip

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 10

INGREDIENTS
6 ears of corn on the cob, husked and cleaned
1 poblano pepper, cut in half and deseeded
½ red onion
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese, plus some for topping
½ cup Jeff’s Naturals Diced Tamed™ Jalapeño Peppers, drained. You can substitute with our Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños, roughly chopped.
1 lime, juiced
½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder, plus some for topping

PREPARATION
Preheat grill on high heat.

Grill corn for about 15-20 minutes on the hot grill turning frequently until nice and charred and corn is cooked. Grill poblano pepper and red onion for about 10 minutes, turning frequently until charred and tender. Remove from grill and set aside.

Once cool enough to touch the grilled vegetables-cut the corn off the cob and place into a medium sized mixing bowl. Dice the onion and poblano and add to the corn. Add mayo, Cotija cheese, jalapeno peppers, lime juice and chili powder. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Turn oven on broil. Place corn mixture into an oven proof baking dish, top with a sprinkle of Cotija cheese and light sprinkle of chili powder. Broil about 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the dish. Serve
immediately with chips.

Eat Healthy with the Incomparable Vegetarian Mamma!

Vegetarian cooking can sometimes be a daunting task to people trying it for the first time; “how can it be tasty without meat,” they ask. Well, Vegetarian Mamma has shown just how fun and easy-to-prepare vegetarian dishes can be. Through her website, blog, and cookbooks, Cindy Gordon provides a bounty of recipes and techniques that the whole family can enjoy.

Photo Source: Vegetarian Mamma
Photo Source: Vegetarian Mamma

We’re proud to say that many of these mouth-watering meals make use of our very own Jeff’s Naturals line of all-natural non-GMO products, such as this Mediterranean Rice Bowl recipe (seen above) and a Roasted Tomato Sauce Pasta (see below- yummy!!).

roasted-tomato-sauce-with-pasta-vegetarianmamma-com-dinner-is-served

Trust us, you have to try these recipes for yourself.

All recipes featured on Vegetarian Mamma’s site are vegetarian, and the site offers giveaways of gluten-free, allergy-friendly products so you can test the delicious products she uses!

If you’re looking for a good place to pick up some vegetarian-friendly recipes, Vegetarian Mamma’s recipe page is of course the natural place to start. But why stop there? When you enter our 2017 Fresh Start Sweepstakes, you can win a copy of Vegetarian Mamma’s cookbook Gluten Free Fork!

Photo Source Vegetarian Mamma
Photo Source Vegetarian Mamma

Vegetarian Mamma strives to create an atmosphere of positivity and helpfulness to welcome anyone looking to improve their diet. She says it best herself:

This website is meant for everybody! If you are seeking information on recipes, products or just want to be part of a community, this site is for YOU! While we do share some humor within our posts, we try to keep it classy and supportive of all who visit. We try to stay encouraging and welcoming. While some recipes and products may not fit for some, they may be perfect fits for others. At Vegetarian Mamma, we are here to encourage one another and to keep things positive.  We are not here to try to dictate what you should and shouldn’t consume. You know your body, you know your beliefs and you can act upon them.

Cooking is, at its core about love, both for the food itself and the people you are cooking for. This guiding principal is clear in Vegetarian Mamma’s site, blog, book, and recipes. The amount of care and consideration, both for the meal itself and the eater, is palpable and most importantly tasted in the recipes she provides. Be sure to visit her website often for the latest and best in vegetarian recipes and giveaways!

Ghostly Pizza Jeff's Naturals

Jeepers Capers! Is that a Ghost on My Pizza?

Yes, it’s that time of the year again! Time for some Halloween Fun! Halloween now-a-days is so much more than costumes and candy. Families everywhere are taking Halloween decorating to new heights around the house and in the kitchen. A simple search on sites like Pinterest will yield hundreds of clever Halloween themed dishes adults and kids can enjoy that range from adorable just to plain disturbing!

Here are a few fun ideas you can put into use with our Capers, Peppers, Olives and Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes. Enjoy!

ghostly-pizza

Ghostly Pizza

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS
1 store-bought, prepared pizza crust
1 jar store-bought pizza sauce
5 slices mozzarella cheese
10 Jeff’s Naturals Non-Pareil Capers

PREPARATION
Preheat oven per pizza crust instructions.
Spread an even layer of pizza sauce on top of the pizza crust. Next, using Halloween-shaped cookie cutters, cut out ghost cheese shapes from the mozzarella. Place cheese on top of the pizza sauce. Adorn the ghosts with capers for eyes. Bake until hot and bubbly and serve.

More Fun Ideas

Spider Bagel Pizza Bites 
These kid-friendly bites add a little extra fun to your next Halloween party. Click here for recipe and instructions.

spider-pizza-bites
Photo Courtesy of www.allyou.com

Bacon, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Goat Cheese Skull Shaped Pizza
Great way to transform a plain pizza into special Halloween treat the whole family will enjoy in no time. Click here to view the post for full recipe.

halloween-skull-shaped-pizza-halloween-edible-crafts-halloween-party-food-halloween-appetizer-halloween-dinner
Photo courtesy of www.hungryhappenings.com

Sundried Tomato Spider Web Pesto Dip
This dip isn’t just fun, it is absolutely delicious! We think our Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes would work perfectly in this dish! Click here to get the recipe!

sundried-tomato-spider-web-pesto-dip
Photo courtesy of www.rotisseriechickenqueen.com

Roasted Pumpkin Soup With Red Peppers and Caramelized Onions
We saw this recipe for this savory autumn soup and immediately thought this would be a wonderful way to enjoy our Roasted Bell Peppers & Caramelized Onions. As an added bonus, it would help save some preparation time so you can spend more time “Trick or Treating”. Click here for the full recipe.

roasted-pumpkin-soup-with-red-peppers-and-caramelized-onions-13-wm-eng
Photo courtesy of www.thethingswellmake.com
No Cook

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

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

StuffedGreekPita

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

Ingredients

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

WatermelonSalad

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

Ingredients

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

Recipe: Cold Peperoncini and Cucumber Yogurt Soup

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

Ingredients

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

Muffuletta_Sandwich_cropped

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

Ingredients

Olive Salad:

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.

Jeff's Naturals Salad Recipes

Five New Savory Salad Ideas from Jeff’s Naturals

Break out the dressings because May is National Salad Month! Celebrate the greener side of life by eating a plate of delicious healthy vegetables, spiced up with Jeff’s Natural’s range of healthy, non-GMO products!

If you’re in need of a little salad inspiration, you should check out our new recipes below! With so much variety, we’re pretty sure you’ll be asking yourself “what hamburger?”

New! Fig Salad with Bleu Cheese Olives

FigSaladWithBleuCheeseOlives

Prep Time: 10 min – Total Time: 13 min – Serves: 2

Ingredients

  • 4 cups mixed salad greens
  • 4-6 fresh figs cut in half or in quarters
  • 1/3 cup Jeff’s Naturals Blue Cheese Olives, sliced
  • 2 ounces prosciutto, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/3 cup candied nuts or chopped hazelnuts

Dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, gently toss salad ingredients together.  Drizzle salad dressing over the top until lightly coated and toss to gently.  Serve immediately.

New! Kale & Citrus Salad

KaleAndCitrusSalad

Prep Time: 15 min – Total Time: 18 min – Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale, destemmed and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
  • 1 ½ cups seasonal citrus segments, we used pink grapefruit, naval orange, and satsumas (reserve any citrus juice from slicing into segments)
  • 5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced on mandoline slicer
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced on mandoline slicer
  • ½ cup Jeff’s Naturals Castelvetrano Olives, pitted and quartered

Dressing:

  • 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/3 cup reserved citrus juices
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar to taste, if needed

Directions

In a large salad bowl, combine all salad ingredients and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, citrus juice and Dijon.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  If needed, add a few splashes of vinegar for a little more acid.

Drizzle enough dressing over the salad and to lightly coat and toss.

Serve immediately.

New! Marinated Mexican Salad

MarinatedMexicanSalad

Prep Time: 5 min – Total Time: 1 hr. 5 min (including marination time) – Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

Directions

Stir together the first eight ingredients in a large bowl.

Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Remove chilled salad and top with lime juice, and salt and pepper.

Garnish with avocado.

New! Grilled Fennel, Orange & Kalamata Salad

Prep Time: 10 min – Total Time: 20 min – Serves: 2

GrilledFennelAndOrangeSalad

Ingredients

Dressing:

  • 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat grill to high heat.

Drizzle sliced fennel with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill on each side until nice grill marks have developed, about 5 minutes each side.

Prepare the oranges by cutting the segments out in between the membranes. To the orange juice, add the segments, kalamata olives, and parsley. Add the grilled fennel and toss.

In a small bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together and pour over fennel salad. To serve, garnish with parmesan shavings.

New! Cherry Balsamic Dressing

CherryBalsamicDressing

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

Ingredients

Directions

Finely mince the Hot Cherry Peppers

In a bowl combine all of the above ingredients and whisk until well incorporated.

 

Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

Tips and Recipes to Surprise Mom this Mother’s Day


Mothering is a full-time job, there’s no question about it. They help you grow, they educate you, and they love you unconditionally without asking for anything in return. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show them just how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate everything they’ve done.

If you ask us, there’s no show of love quite as thoughtful as a delicious home-cooked meal. So sit back, have a read, and plan that Mother’s Day brunch that will leave them smiling from cheek to cheek.

Brunch Tips!

  1. Set up everything the night before – You don’t want to be in a mad rush to do this the following morning, trust us!
  2. Plan your menu – Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your meal. That said, if you’re reading this post you’re already ahead of the game!
  3. If you can cook it ahead of time, do it! – If you have anything on your menu that can be prepared ahead of time, do so. This can be bloody mary mixes, mimosas, sausages, and so forth.
  4. Offer a mix of sweet and savory – That’s the magic of brunch, after all! A nice balanced meal will leave everybody satisfied.
  5. You can’t go wrong with fresh breads and/or scones – I mean… what’s brunch without delicious breads?

A brunch would be nothing without food, so  feast your eyes on these recipes guaranteed to really impress mom!

Baked Eggs with Olives

Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 11 min | Serves: 2

BakedEggswithOlives

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • ¼ cup Jeff’s Garden Whole Castelvetrano Olives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme leaves
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
  • Serve with a crusty baguette

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Crack 2 eggs into 2 individual-sized baking dishes. Season with salt and pepper.  Drizzle a tablespoon of heavy cream into each dish, and distribute the olives and herbs into each dish. Bake about 6 minutes, until the whites are set and yolks are very loose. Once removed from the oven, the eggs will continue to cook for a few minutes.

Drizzle eggs with olive oil and serve hot with warm crusty bread for dipping.

Ultimate Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary Party

 

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

Delicious paired with any of these recipes along with Smoked Salmon with Dilled Crème Fraiche on Bagels, Frittata with Roasted Red Peppers and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Ricotta Cheese & Meyer Lemon Blintzes, etc.

Ingredients

Directions:

Stir together Bloody Mary mix and vodka. Add a few dashes of hot sauce, squeeze of lemon, and a splash of Jeff’s Naturals Olive or Pepper brine.

Pour over ice in a highball glass.

Garnish with your favorite Bloody Mary ingredients including Jeff’s Naturals Olives and Peppers.  Finish with a dash of pepper and enjoy!

 

Baja Fruit Salad

Baja Fruit Salad

Prep Time:  10min | Total Time: 45min | Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (20 oz.) juiced packed pineapple chunks, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1/2 c. Jeff’s Garden Roasted Bell Pepper Strips, chopped
  • 1/2 c. jicama, chopped
  • 1 tsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 Tbsp. shredded coconuts

Directions:

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

Breakfast Panini

Breakfast_Panini_WB

Prep Time: 5 min Total Time: 10 min Serves: 2

Ingredients

Directions

Preheat panini press.

If adding pancetta to your sandwich, 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.

Jeff's Peperoncini & Sun-Dried Tomato Guacamole

Five Fabulous Cinco De Mayo Dishes to Make With Jeff’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

Turkey Chili Burrito

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

Ingredients

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

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

JALAPENO LIME MARGARITA

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

Ingredients:

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

Guacamole

Ingredients

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

Black Bean & Roasted Red Pepper Salsa

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

Ingredients

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.

Kick Off!

Kick Off Game Day With These Delicious Dishes

The “Big Game” is coming!  Are you ready? Football fan or not, it’s always a blast to gather with friends and enjoy unbeatable food!

If you’re playing host then you’re probably already forming a game plan to tackle the menu for the big day. Be this year’s MVP with these three mouth-watering dishes, all made with Jeff’s Garden non-GMO products:

Loaded Pepper Potato Skins

Loaded-Pepper-Potato-Skins-HP_1

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 60 min | Serves: 6

  • 6 medium sized russet potatoes, washed and scrubbed clean
  • Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • 3 ounces pancetta, (can substitute bacon)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/3 cup feta crumbles
  • ½ cup Jeff’s Garden Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, plus 2 tablespoons brine reserved
  • ½ cup Jeff’s Garden Roasted Red Pepper Strips roughly chopped and squeezed with a paper towel
  • ¼ cup sliced green onion
  • 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place potatoes on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil.  Rub oil all over potatoes to thoroughly coat. Bake for about 40 minutes, turning over halfway through, and remove from oven when a knife is easily inserted into the potato.

Once the potatoes are cool enough to touch, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out most of the potato.  If the skin is not as crispy as desired, place the skins, cut side down, back on the sheet tray and broil in the oven for a few minutes until crispy. Remove from oven and set aside.

Place the sliced pancetta on a foil-lined sheet tray and bake about 10 minutes or until desired crispiness. Remove from oven, place pancetta on a paper towel lined plate and set aside.

Next, season the inside of the potatoes with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle the cheeses into the potato skins, add the peperoncini and roasted bell peppers.  Place back into the oven until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle potatoes with green onion and crumble the crispy pancetta over the top.

In a small mixing bowl, stir the Greek yogurt with two tablespoons of peperoncini brine and drizzle over the loaded potatoes.  Serve immediately.

Greek Nachos

Greek-Nachos

Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 20 min | Serves: 2

Pre-heat oven to 475° F.
In an oven safe dish, add the chips on the bottom.  Next, sprinkle on the cheeses.

Crush the oregano in-between your fingers before sprinkling evenly over the nachos. Layer on the red onion, olives, and peppers, and bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

In a small mixing bowl, add some peperoncini brine to the Greek yogurt and mix well.

Remove nachos from the oven, top with Greek yogurt mixture and hummus and serve hot!

Olive & Sun-Ripened Dried Tomato Ricotta Dip

Olive and Sun Ripened Dried Tomato Ricotta Dip-011

Prep Time: 6 min | Total Time: 18 min | Serves: 6

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a medium mixing bowl, add the ricotta, parsley and garlic and combine well. Season with salt and pepper.  Gently mix in the tomatoes and olives, until just incorporated.

Spread the ricotta in a shallow medium baking dish in a 3/4-inch-thick layer.   Bake about 12 minutes or until slightly browned along the edges and hot.

Remove from oven, let rest a few minutes and serve warm.

photo credit: kickoff close via photopin (license)

National Pasta Month

Celebrate National Pasta Month

Did you know that October is National Pasta Month?  Since Jeff’s Naturals Mediterranean products and pasta go together like spaghetti and meatballs, we thought it would be fun to honor this beloved traditional Italian cuisine by sharing some fun facts about pasta along with some of our favorite recipes.

Pasta Month
Source: National Pasta Association 

  • The first industrial pasta factory in America was built in Brooklyn in 1848 by a Frenchman, who spread his spaghetti strands on the roof to dry in the sunshine.
  • Pasta can be traced as far back as the fourth century B.C., where an Etruscan tomb showed a group of natives making what appears to be pasta.
  • There are more than 600 pasta shapes produced worldwide.
  • To cook one billion pounds of pasta, you would need 2,021,452,000 gallons of water – enough to fill nearly 75,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
  • It was not until the 1700’s until tomato sauce was included with spaghetti in Italian kitchens.
  • The Chinese were making a noodle-like food as early as 3000 B.C. Legend has it that Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italy following his exploration of the Far East in the late 13th century.
  • The most popular pasta shapes in the U.S. are Spaghetti, thin spaghetti, Elbows, Rotelle, Penne, Lasagna
  • Thomas Jefferson is credited with bringing the first “macaroni” machine to America in 1789 when he returned home after serving as ambassador to France.
  • The average person in Italy eats more than 51 pounds of pasta every year. The average person in North America eats about 15-1/2 pounds of pasta per year.

Pasta Recipes

Mediterranian-Salad-1

Ingredients
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!pic_Pasta-Nicoise
A refreshing dish made with Jeff’s Naturals™ Pitted Greek Kalamata Olives, Jeff’s Naturals™ Imported Non-Pareil Capers, tuna and rotini (corkscrew pasta). Click Here for the Recipe

Rigatoni_with_Puttanesca_Sauce_cropped
Capers and red wine bring out the natural flavors of tomatoes and artichoke hearts and herbs in this classic Mediterranean recipe. Click Here For the Recipe 
Roasted Lemon Cauliflower Pasta
A refreshing dish created by food blogger, Vegetarian Mama. This recipe combines gluten free pasta, cauliflower, lemon, Parmesan cheese and Jeff’s Naturals™ Imported Non-Pareil CapersClick Here for the Recipe.

 

veggielovingmom

How to Build A Super Salad

Screen Shot 2015-05-27 at 5.50.38 PM
If you’re like most people, chances are you could use more veggies in your diet. Eating a healthy, nutrient rich, low-cal salad is not only good for you, it can be completely satisfying if you add the right ingredients. In honor of National Salad month, we encourage you to punch it up and wake up your palette with these healthy salad tips.

Be inspired and be healthy!

Step One: More Leafy Greens Please!

Today show nutritionist Joy Bauer says to choose a base for your salad that provides important nutrients like folic acid and lutein. “Give up the iceberg for mesclun greens, baby spinach, or a spring mix that includes a variety of dark green lettuces”, she says in her post, 5 Tips for Building a Healthier Salad.

Instead of adding cheese, add sliced peperonicnis or jalapeño stuffed olives.

Step Two: Get colorful and creative with fruits, vegetables and herbs!

Pile on as many vegetables as possible. The more seasonal and local your vegetables are, the better (think Farmers Markets). Summer is the perfect time to indulge in a multitude of fresh seasonal fruits, veggies and herbs. When making your salad, go for different textures and tastes. You can also use leftovers you find in the fridge (like grilled veggies- YUM) and many pantry staples like olives, peppers, artichoke hearts, and more.

 

Step Three: Add Protein

In her post, Joy Bauer also recommends adding protein to your salad for a satisfying meal.

“If you’re opting for animal protein, select one lean source (or two if you’re extra-hungry), such as four egg whites or three ounces of skinless chicken or turkey breast, water-packed chunk light tuna, wild salmon, or lean sirloin steak. If you’re vegetarian or just want to mix it up, choose half a cup of cubed tofu or three-quarters of a cup of chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, or other legumes”.

Step Four: Add some additional toppings for extra flavor!

Greek Salad
These are the items that can take your salad to the next level, but have the potential to pack in too much fat and calories if you aren’t careful. Toppings like chopped nuts, seeds, shredded cheese, croutons, dried cranberries or raisins, and salad dressings are fantastic on salads, but should be used sparingly. For less fat and more flavor in your meals, think about adding something spicy to your salad.

Here are some more salad tips to inspire you:

  • Toss Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes with chilled cooked pasta, sliced Kalamata Olives and Marinated Artichoke Hearts for a colorful and delicious pasta salad.
  • Toss pitted Castelvetrano Olives with mixed baby greens, orange sections, shaved fennel and a light lemon vinaigrette for a beautiful and refreshing salad.
  • For a tangy vegetarian version of a classic Caesar salad, use Capers in place of the traditional anchovies.
  • Toss 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 salad.
  • Toss pitted Kalamata Olives with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil and red wine vinegar for a refreshing Greek salad.
  • Add diced Jalapeño Stuffed Olives to a Southwestern black bean salad.
  • Toss Sliced Pepperoncini into a mixed green salad for an extra punch of flavor.
  • Add Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers to salads for a boost of color and flavor.
  • Arrange Roasted Bell Pepper Strips on a serving plate along with sliced fresh mozzarella and julienned fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

photo credit: Pear Dried Cranberries and Candied Pecan Salad via photopin (license)

Top  photo by @veggielovingmom on Instagram http://ow.ly/zZgcj