Tag Archives: Olives

Farro Salad

Five “Farr-Out” Reasons to Love Farro + Two Great Recipes to Try!

Spring Farro and Castelvetrano Salad full size

As you plan your next meal, why not try cooking with farro, the ancient grain with tremendous health benefits?

Farro is a whole grain wheat, larger than barley grain and possessing a similar taste. It’s very simple to cook on a stovetop, also great when prepared in a rice maker or a pressure cooker. It’s often used as an alternative to rice or pasta for all the nutritious qualities it contains.

Interested yet? Check out our top five reasons to love farro:

#1 Great Way to Up Your Vitamin B3 & Magnesium Intake
Farro is an excellent source of Vitamin B3, instrumental in improving your body’s metabolism. It’s also a great choice for your daily dose of Magnesium, which strengthens your blood pressure, bone strength, and overall cardiac health.

#2- This Supergrain is Rich in Anti-Oxidants
The anti-oxidants present in farro help prevent degenerative diseases and general cardiovascular problems.

#3 Great Source of Protein
Yes, it’s true! Farro contains about 15% protein, with 7 grams of protein found in a single serving!

#4 Cholesterol-Free
Not only is farro cholesterol-free, a full bowl has 8 grams of cholesterol-lowering fiber in it! An excellent choice for anyone watching their weight.

#5 Contains Complex Carbohydrates
The complex carbohydrates present in farro extend its digestion time, thus leaving you with more energy throughout the day.

So now you know why you should be cooking with farro but you may be wondering how to cook with it?

Consider these easy-to-make recipes below using Jeff’s Garden line of certified non-GMO olives & peppers as an entry point into the delicious world of farro.

 

Farr-Out Recipe #1: Castelvetrano Spring Farro Salad

Recipe: Castelvetrano Spring Farro Salad
Prep Time: 10 min   Total Time: 25 min   Serves: 4-6

Chefs Note:  Feel free to play with this recipe and use any vegetable or herb in season.  Asparagus, green beans, thyme or basil would all be wonderful. It will taste the best when the produce is the freshest!

Farr-Out Recipe #2: Farro Salad with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives

Farro Salad with Blue Cheese-Stuffed Olives, Apples and Roasted Garlic
Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 20 min | Serves: 4-6

 

For more delicious and healthy recipes head on over to our Recipes page.

Five Must-Have Easter Brunch Recipes

Don’t know about you, but we’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like a good brunch. No matter the occasion, a well-planned brunch is always a special affair, and Easter Sunday Brunch is certainly no exception! In fact, it’s one of our favorite springtime traditions.

A good Easter Sunday Brunch does not have to be complicated. Here are some recipes from the Jeff’s Garden collection that are simple and easy to prepare. Many of these can be prepped in advance so you can relax with a mimosa and enjoy the company of friends and family.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper & Artichoke Quiche

A light and delicious “almost” homemade quiche (ready-made pie crusts are perfectly fine to use!) with Jeff’s Garden Marinated Artichoke Hearts and Jeff’s Garden Roasted Bell Pepper Strips with spinach and a delicious variety of cheeses. Click on the image to get the recipe.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper & Artichoke Quiche

Smoked Salmon and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Bruschetta

This easy bruschetta puts an elegant twist on a classic Italian appetizer and features a variety of savory flavors of roasted bell peppers, smoked salmon, chives and capers. Prep the ingredients in advance so you can quickly assemble the morning of your brunch. Click on the image to get the recipe.

Smoked Salmon and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Bruschetta
Smoked Salmon and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Bruschetta

Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad with Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes

This delightful salad can be prepped in advance and will add a wonderful pop of color and flavor to the brunch table! Broccoli and Jeff’s Garden Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes add a sweet and savory flavor. Click on the image to get the recipe.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Sundried Tomatoes-013HR

Baja Fruit Salad

Every good brunch menu needs fruit to compliment the main dishes! This light fruit salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, jicama, shredded coconuts takes us on a tropical vacation. Jeff’s Garden Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and fresh cilantro add a unique flavor to balance the sweetness of the fruit. Click on the image to get the recipe.

Baja Fruit Salad
Baja Fruit Salad

Jeff’s Garden Bloody Mary

There’s nothing like a properly garnished Bloody Mary to enjoy on a Sunday morning brunch. The secret to our Bloody Mary recipe is assorted Jeff’s Garden Peppers and Olives for garnish and a splash of brine from the jar! Some of our favorite Bloody Mary garnishes include olives stuffed with Blue CheeseFeta Cheese, Garlic or Jalapeños. Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini is another delicious garnish. Click on the image to get the recipe.

Jeff’s Garden Bloody Mary
Jeff’s Garden Bloody Mary

Need More Easter Sunday Brunch Ideas & Inspiration?

Here are some helpful tips and serving ideas for easy Easter Sunday celebrations.

Everyone has their way of celebrating spring holiday traditions such as Easter and Passover, but when it comes to holiday gatherings, we can all agree that delicious food is a must. We hope the Jeff’s Garden line of premium olives, peppers, artichoke hearts, capers, and sun-ripened tomatoes will help simplify and elevate your springtime holiday entertaining!

 

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.
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.

How Can I Rock Pasta Night with Jeff’s Naturals?

When it comes to fast and easy weeknight dinners, pasta reigns supreme. Pasta is one of the most versatile ingredients and pairs well with any of our Jeff’s Naturals Mediterranean pantry staples. Whether it’s a light, summery pasta salad or a heaping bowl of comfort food (like Spinach & Artichoke Mac ‘n Cheese mmmmmmm) there is a pasta dish to match every mood and occasion.

We put together a list of a few of our favorite pasta ideas you can put together in a pinch.

In a rush? Try this pro tip from Serious Eats: You don’t have to wait for a huge pot of water to boil. Using a skillet and just enough water to cover the noodles is a better way to go.

Here are some more pasta recipes you may want to add to your repertoire.  Click on the image to get the recipe. Enjoy!

Pasta-Nicoise

Mediterranian-Salad-1

Rigatoni_with_Puttanesca_Sauce_cropped

Roasted Lemon Cauliflower Pasta

Celebrate the New Year with a Whole Foods Coupon for Jeff’s Naturals Olives & Antipasto

Who doesn’t love a good coupon? There are very few (that we know of)! We are excited to announce that shoppers can get $1 off Jeff’s Naturals Olives and Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto at any Whole Foods store across the country through January 16th, 2018. It’s our holiday gift to olive lovers.

 

Jeff’s Naturals fans are already downloading and utilizing the coupons to make great holiday antipasto dishes- like this one our friend Kelly from Texas made with Garlic Stuffed OlivesWhole Castelvetrano Olives, Organic Greek Kalamata OlivesRoasted Bell Pepper Strips, Feta, Gruyere, Balsamic vinaigrette made with olive oil and fresh parsley right from her front porch!

Antipasto Appetizer

You can also use your olives to make some of our favorite dishes you can find on our Recipe Page.

This coupon is available only on the Whole Foods Market® app. To take advantage of this offer and other digital coupons to use in the store, download the latest version of the Whole Foods Market app for your iPhone or Android phone. With just a few taps, you’re on your way to big savings. Visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com to learn more about digital coupons and how to utilize the Whole Foods Market® app.

Build-Your-Own Grilled Pizza is Perfect for Fall Entertaining

Summer may be over, but that in no way means that it’s time to store the grill away for the season! In fact the crisper, cooler air make fall the perfect time for outdoor entertaining. Whether you’re looking for a delicious weeknight dinner or fun way to feed a house full of guests, a “Build-Your-Own” Grilled Pizza night is always a hit.

Homemade grilled pizza is less expensive and more flavorful than take-out and a fun way to get creative with friends and family. We always have a blast at our “Grilled Pizza Parties” in the Jeff’s Naturals kitchen.

So forget delivery. In less time, you can grill up even better pizza! Here’s how.

Step 1- Prep the Pizza Crust
There are plenty of resources to help you make your own pizza dough or you can pick up some pre-made pizza dough at your local supermarket in the bakery, dairy or in the frozen foods section. You can also check with your local pizzeria to see if they sell homemade pizza dough, just make sure you get enough to feed everyone! Roll out your dough into personal sized pizzas and grill on each side for 1.5 minutes.

Step 2- Provide a Variety of Sauces
For the pizza purists, make sure you offer plenty of traditional tomato based pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought). For variety, we recommend offering some fun alternatives like pesto (jarred or homemade), garlic/herb infused oils, ricotta cheese, salsa, wing sauce, BBQ sauce, or tapenade. The sky’s the limit so get creative!

Step 3- Add Pizza Toppings & Grill!
Family & friends will have fun building their own pizzas with a well rounded variety of toppings. Here are some suggestions on how to turn a plain pizza into a gourmet experience:

Plenty of cheese please! Honestly, it’s just not pizza without the cheese! Set out a variety of cheeses to choose from like mozzarella (shredded or fresh), shredded cheddar, sliced provolone,  grated Parmesan, Romano, crumbed feta, blue cheese, goat cheese, vegan cheese…you get the idea.

Pass the protein! You can’t go wrong with choices like grilled chicken or tofu, pepperoni and diced gourmet sausage.

Add a healthy variety of veggies. Veggies like sliced onions, peppers, olives, julienned basil and other herbs are delicious additions to round out the flavor of your grilled pizza. Our line of olives & peppers offer plenty of fun pizza toppings. Here are a few that will rock your socks:
Roasted Bell Pepper Strips
Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini
✓ Diced Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes
Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños
✓ Diced Garlic Stuffed Olives
✓ Finely chopped Jalapeño Stuffed Olives
Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives
✓ Diced Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Imported Non-Pareil Capers

Once toppings are added, place your pizza back on the grill for a few moments to heat up the toppings and melt the cheese. Enjoy!

Here are some fun & delicious examples of homemade grilled pizza made right in the Jeff’s Naturals kitchen!

Grilled pizza topped with Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños, Roasted Bell Pepper Strips and mozzarella cheese.
Grilled pizza topped with Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, light cheese and thinly sliced red onions.
Grilled pizza topped with Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini, pepperoni, light cheese and thinly sliced red onions.

 

Grilled pizza topped with sliced cherry tomatoes, Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini and Diced Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes.
Grilled pizza topped with sliced cherry tomatoes, Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini and Diced Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes.
Jeff's Naturals Peperoncini

Don’t toss that jar! Here’s eleven ways to enjoy Jeff’s Naturals olive & pepper brine

Image by Instagram user alidelegge

Ever find yourself in this situation? You’ve just polished off another delicious jar of your favorite Jeff’s Naturals olives or peppers and you’re about to empty the remaining olive brine into the sink before tossing the glass jar into your recycling bin.

But wait! You can still add another dimension of Mediterranean flavor to your favorite recipes using the delicious brines and oils left over in our jars!  Here are some of our favorite ideas to make the most of Jeff’s Naturals products — even after you’ve finished off the good stuff!

This Jeff's Naturals fan added our Non-Pareil Capers and Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncini to her potato salad for a knock out side dish! For the recipe, visit Peperoncini Potato Salad on our site. Shared by Kathleen C. on Facebook. 
Shared by Kathleen C. on Facebook.

#1 Dirty up your martini with the olive juice from jars of our Castelvetrano Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.

#2 Drizzle oil from a jar of Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes onto a side salad then salt & pepper to taste.

#3 Use the herbed oil from our Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto or Marinated Artichoke Hearts as a zesty marinade for meat.

#4 Add a splash of brine from a jar of Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeños to your margarita on the rocks. You can also rim your margarita glass with Jeff’s Naturals Tamed Jalapeño Peppers brine and salt. YUM!

#5 Make a delicious salad dressing on the fly by whisking the marinade from a jar of Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olive or Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto with extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

#6 Give potato and pasta salads a zingy upgrade with a splash of Greek Peperoncini brine.

#7 Cook up flavorful couscous using the leftover oil from Marinated Artichoke Hearts.

#8 Add a punch of flavor to your Bloody Mary with a splash of Greek Peperoncini brine.

#9 Spice up burrito bowls by cooking rice with Sliced Tamed™ Jalapeño brine.

#10 Add the juice from a jar of Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers to sauces, soups or stews for an extra punch of heat and flavor.

#11 Pour an entire jar of 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.

Is your jar half empty — or half full? Next time you find yourself with an almost empty jar of your favorite Jeff’s Naturals product, don’t forget to reserve the oils and brines to marinate, sauté, drizzle and dip! Got an idea? Share it on Twitter @JeffsNaturals or on our Facebook page.

Jeff's Naturals
Image by Instagram user @thenecessentials
Baked Eggs with Olives

Fresh From the Jeff’s Naturals Kitchen: Baked Eggs with Olives

Ever since we introduced them to the natural foods market, our Whole Castelvetrano Olives and NEW Pitted Castelvetrano Olives have consistently been two of our most requested items! Their unique nutty, buttery flavor, mild brine and wonderful natural green color make them perfect to enjoy in salads, martinis, pasta dishes or right out of the jar!

Our Castelvetrano Olives, imported from family farms in Castelvetrano Sicily, elevate Lunch, Dinner, Snack time, Happy Hour, and now Breakfast. This fresh recipe created by our chef in the Jeff’s Natural Kitchen is an “Egg-Ceptional” way to fuel up your day:

Baked Eggs with Olives

 

Baked Eggs with Olives

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

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

PREPARATION
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.

Looking for more ideas?  Visit our Recipe Page to find even more breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, appetizer and dinner recipes to enjoy using Jeff’s Naturals all-natural line of olives, peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes.

Antipasto Skewers with Jeff's Naturals Marinated Artichoke Hearts

Fresh from Jeff’s Kitchen: Easy Antipasto Skewers

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Prepare the Perfect Pasta Dish

Mama Mia! Since October is National Pasta Month, we wanted to give a salute to one of America’s favorite foods! In recent years, pasta has gotten a bad rap (think no carb diets) but we think that pasta dishes can actually be a healthy and filling meal, especially with some help from Jeff’s Naturals all natural line of olives, peppers, capers and sun ripened tomatoes.

Rigatoni_with_Puttanesca_Sauce_cropped

pic_Pasta-Nicoise

Mediterranian-Salad-1

What’s the secret to pasta perfection? It begins with cooking pasta itself. The National Pasta Association recommends the following steps to cook pasta perfectly every time:

1. Boil 4 to 6 quarts of water for one pound of dry pasta. (You can divide this recipe depending on how much pasta you are cooking.)

2. Add the pasta with a stir and return the water to a boil.

3. Stir the pasta occasionally during cooking.

4. Follow the package directions for cooking times. If the pasta is to be used as part of a dish that requires further cooking, undercook the pasta by 1/3 of the cooking time specified on the package.

5. Taste the pasta to determine if it is done. Perfectly cooked pasta should be “al dente,” or firm to the bite, yet cooked through.

6. Drain pasta immediately and follow the rest of the recipe.

Reheating Pasta

To reheat cooked pasta, portion out the amount you need and place in boiling water. For extra-easy draining, you can place the pasta in a stainless steel colander or strainer and then submerge in boiling water. Count 40 to 60 seconds of re-heating time for a four-ounce serving. Drain the pasta well, toss with sauce and serve immediately. Pasta can also be reheated in the microwave oven. Reheat single servings on high for 45 seconds at a time, checking between intervals for doneness.

To create the perfect pasta dish, you must also pair it with the right sauce. The National Pasta Association recommends pairing thin, delicate pastas (like angel hair or thin spaghetti)are better served with lighter, thin sauces. If it’s a heavier sauce you crave, it’s better to stick with thicker pasta shapes, like fettuccine. Pasta shapes with holes or ridges, like mostaccioli or radiatore, are perfect for chunkier sauces.

Now that you know the basics, grab a fork and dig into our newest pasta recipe using Jeff’s Naturals!

Jeff’s Naturals Mediterranean Pasta

Prep Time: 5 min.Total Time: 10 min.Serves: 4

mediterranean-pasta-jeffs-naturals
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, sliced diagonally
1 cup Jeff’s Naturals Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, drained, julienned
2 Tablespoons crushed garlic
1 pound angel hair pasta, fresh
1/4 cup fresh basil
1 jar (6.5 ounces) Artichoke Hearts, drained
1/2 cup Jeff’s Naturals Organic Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives, drained
6 ounce crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
PREPARATION

Boil water for pasta. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken strips until no longer pink in the middle, about 3 minutes on each side. Add sun dried tomatoes and crushed garlic to skillet. Sauté for 2 minutes. In the meantime, add the fresh pasta to the boiling water, cook until al dente, about 5 minutes.

Add the basil, artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese to the skillet. Sauté 1 minute. Stir in cream. Strain pasta and transfer to a large pasta bowl. Add the chicken sauté to the pasta and toss.

Season with oregano, salt and pepper before serving.

Visit National Pasta Association to see these and other great pasta cooking tips!

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.

The Inside Scoop on Jeff’s Naturals Jalapeno Stuffed Olives

Natural food consumers everywhere are in for a treat this summer. Many of our most popular items from our all-natural line of olives, peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes are going to be on special in retails stores all over the country!

Now is the perfect time to try something new, especially if it’s something as delicious as our Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.

Here are answers to many common questions we get about these delightful snack olives. Hope this helps!

Jalapeno-Stuffed-OlivesQ: Why would you stuff jalapeño peppers into olives?

A: The combination of these two ingredients results in a crisp savory olive with just the right balance of heat and savory olive flavor.

Q: Do they make a good appetizer?

A: Absolutely! You can enjoy them right out of the jar or pair it with wine and cheese for an decadent treat. Since these olives tend to have a little more zing than some of the others, you’ll want to pair them with milder, fruiter dry wines such as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and young, fresh un-aged cheeses like goat cheese, mozzarella and ricotta. FYI, they are also delicious with a frosty margarita on a hot summer day.

Q: Are your Jalapeño peppers fresh and sourced locally?

A: Yes. We use locally grown jalapeño peppers sourced from Central Valley California family farms typically late May through November. Within 24 hours of harvest, the jalapeños are shipped to our Napa Valley facility and packed within twenty-four hours of harvest. The faster they are packed the more heat and fresh-picked flavor they retain.

Q: What about your olives, where do they come from?

A: We use large Spanish-style olives, prized for their firm texture and buttery taste, imported from the sun-drenched Mediterranean. Because of our longstanding relationships with our growers in Europe, we are able to procure the finest quality olives from each harvest.

Q: How do the jalapeño peppers get inside the olives?

A: Once the ingredients reach our production facility in Napa Valley, California, each olive is painstakingly hand stuffed with a jalapeño strip within 24 hours and packed.

Q: What are some different ways a person can serve them?

A: Because this item has a little bit of heat and a lot of flavor, there are unlimited ways they can be enjoyed. Many of our consumers enjoy them in their salads, in breakfast omelets and in pasta dishes. Here are some other ideas:

Do you have some other ideas on how to wake up your palette with parings and serving ideas using Jeff’s Naturals products? Let us know, we’d love to hear!

blue-cheese_Cocktail

Shaken or Stirred? June 19th is National Martini Day

Did you know that National Martini Day is June 19th?  It’s the perfect excuse to break out some glasses, crack open a jar or two of your favorite Jeff’s Naturals olives and take a relaxing and well-deserved sip. National Martini Day comes only once a year, after all!

To honor the occasion, here are some helpful martini making tips and NEW martini recipe ideas!

Martini Making Tips

1. Ice
Be sure to keep your martini chilled with ice, however, you should not chill gin. The ideal combination is warm gin + cold ice.

2. Chill Your Glassware
Cold glassware is a must for keeping your martini chill. We also find it brings a certain degree of class to your drink!

3. Shaken or Stirred?
Forget what James Bond has to say, shaking a martini will create air bubbles that make the martini opaque. Consider stirring the martini instead if you want to keep it clear and see-through.

4. Enjoy
Enjoy your martini before it succumbs to room temperature (but don’t feel the need to rush)!

New! Bleu Cheese Olive Martini

blue-cheese_Cocktail

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

Ingredients

Directions

Place the martini glass into the freezer to chill. Pour liquor into a martini shaker with ice. Shake for at least 20 seconds and pour into the chilled martini glass. Garnish with Bleu Cheese Stuffed Olives and enjoy!

New! Hot Cherry Pepper Martini

Hot_Pepper_Martini

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

Ingredients

Directions

Fill a chilled martini shaker with ice. Add vodka or gin with a splash of pepper brine and shake well for about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a hot cherry pepper or two.

New! “Perfect” Martini

 

Savory MartiniPrep Time: 3 min | Total Time: 5 min | Serves: 1

Ingredients

Directions

Fill a chilled martini shaker with ice. Add gin and vermouth. Shake well, about 45 seconds. Using a cocktail strainer, pour into a chilled glass. Thread three olives (representing health, love and wealth) onto a cocktail stirrer or rosemary sprig and serve.