Tag Archives: New Years

13 Fool Proof Party Appetizers Using Jeff’s Naturals Olives & Peppers

December 22, 2017Holiday EntertainingNew Year's Eve Party, New Years, Party Appetizer, Party MenuJeff's Naturals

‘Tis the season for parties, gatherings, shopping, overnight guests and no school! You have a lot on your plate, so better have some “last minute” easy appetizer ideas on hand!

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

#1-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.

#2-Serve Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto with feta cheese, hummus and warm pita triangles.

#3-Mix Diced Tamed™ Jalapeños with fresh cilantro and garlic. Blend with a stick of softened butter and spread it on crusty bread for a delicious snack!

#4-Cube your favorite cheese and serve with a combination of Castelvetrano Olives, Organic Pitted Whole Greek Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, olive oil and a few shavings of citrus peel for an easy party appetizer.

#5-Arrange sliced Roasted Bell Pepper Strips on a serving plate with sliced fresh mozzarella and julienned fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

#6-Roughly chop Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives and toss with olive oil and capers. Spoon mixture over a block goat cheese and serve with pita chips.

#7-Combine Garlic Stuffed Olives in a food processor with anchovy filets, Capers, lemon juice and olive oil for a terrific tapenade. Spread it on fish or chicken or serve it as an appetizer.

#8-Chop Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives and/or Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives and sprinkle on hummus. Use as a dip for crudité.

#9-Make an olive tapenade by putting Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives and/or Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives into a food processor with some of the olive brine and olive oil.

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

#11- Create an antipasto platter using Garlic Stuffed Olives and Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Bell Peppers and assorted meats and cheeses.

#12-Top deviled eggs with slices of Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.

#13-Make a refreshing salsa with Sunshine Mix Mild Banana Pepper Rings, fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime juice.

Need more inspiration? We’ve added new appetizers, cocktails and side dish recipes to our recipe page for your enjoyment! Happy Holidays!

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

5 Reasons to Follow a Mediterranean Diet in 2015

December 29, 2014Health, Mediterranean DietDisease prevention, health, healthy eating habits, lifestyle, Mediterranean Diet, New Years, Olives, peppers, weight lossJeff's Naturals

Is eating healthier part of your plan for the New Year? Why not consider following a Mediterranean diet? Combined with physical activity, the Mediterranean diet could improve not only your health, but your overall quality of life!

A traditional Mediterranean diet consists of large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, and less red meat and dairy. Replace processed foods and refined sugars and flour with natural ingredients, and your body and taste buds will thank you. Click here to see some of our wholesome Mediterranean recipes.

Here are 5 more reasons to consider switching!

1. More and more studies are linking the Mediterranean diet with disease prevention.
Numerous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet to reduced heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions. Refined breads, processed foods, and red meat are discouraged in a Mediterranean diet, and it encourages drinking red wine instead of hard liquor, which have all been linked to heart disease and stroke prevention.

2. It’s Budget Friendly.
Not only is this way of eating good for your health, it’s good for your wallet too! If you stick with meals that emphasize vegetables, whole grains and legumes, you may discover that the Mediterranean diet to be less expensive than serving dishes with larger portions of meat, cheese, and processed foods.

3. It’s not just what you eat, HOW you eat your meals could make you healthier and reduce stress.
Though food choices play a large factor, you might enjoy adjusting your habits to reflect the Mediterranean lifestyle. Rather than rushing through your meals or eating in front of a television (or even worse, a car!); sit down for a relaxed, leisurely meal with others. It could be as important for your health as what’s on your plate.

4. Fewer cravings = weight loss.
A Mediterranean diet is rich in fiber, which makes you feel fuller longer by slowing down digestion. A fiber rich diet has also been shown to prevent huge swings in blood sugar, which can curb your appetite and reduce cravings for sweets and other processed foods.

5. It could help you age gracefully.
The nutrients and high levels of antioxidants associated with a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of developing muscle weakness and other signs of frailty. Researchers speculate that the Mediterranean diet may improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and overall blood vessel health. When there is a reduction in developing heart disease or cancer, as in the case when you follow a Mediterranean diet, there is a 20% reduced risk of death at any age.

Mediterranean products that have been enjoyed for generations are now available in an all-natural line. We, at Jeff’s Naturals, are passionate about healthy eating and are pleased to offer a line of Mediterranean products that are free of preservatives, stablilizers, artificial colors, flavors and sulfites. Click here to learn more about our 100% natural line of olives, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and more!

Article Sources:
www.hsph.harvard.edu
www.helpguide.org/life

photo credit: flippinyank via photopin cc