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You
know its the end of the year when:
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From pint-sized goblins to long lost relatives to friendly neighborhood carolers, it's that most wonderful time of year when our doors are open to guests, both the invited and unexpected, for three glorious months. Have I gotten you spooked? Oops, not my point! Believe it or not, I'm here to help with a few tricks for getting those treats on the table without loosing your cool before the first snowfall.
Lose the stress this holiday season and relax with the rest of the family. Rely on recipes that you already know and use ingredients that everyone loves. Save the "Bam" for Emeril and shelve your complex cookbooks 'til the New Year, instead stick with ol' family favorites and put it on autopilot. Or as we say around my house: think outside of the box and into the can.
A quick cruise through your local market and you'll find tons of flavorful ingredients and prepared foods that'll help you put together a delicious family meal in minutes. Like, say, California Ripe Olives...the perfect addition to any holiday table. Alone as a quick snack or as an add-in to spice up that perennial pasta, California Ripe Olives are a simple way to make things a little more special. Just open, drain and gobble, gobble.
Looking for some crowd-size recipes (serve 24) that are huge on flavor? Check out the recipes that professional chefs are stirring up with California Ripe Olives. TOP
The Big Freezy
Kids home from college? In-laws in the guest room? Planning
your annual holiday open-house? The best way to get your kitchen
ready for the crowds is to stock your freezer with the goods.
Soups, stews, sauces and casseroles are perfectly freezer
friendly. Make a few things (and make ‘em supersized)
before the hoards arrive, then pack ‘em away (in your
freezer that is). When guests arrive, simply defrost using
your oven, stovetop or microwave. Who knew the holidays could
actually be this happy!
Fed up with your favorite fettuccini by mid-November? Here’s a quick and easy supersized pasta sauce that’s sure to become a classic in your home. With California Ripe Olives, sausage and spinach this tomato sauce is delicious, a snap to prepare and healthy too. At this time of year, I'd call that a gift for the whole family! TOP
A Trick about Treats
Remember when your mom said it's the thought that counts?
Well, she may have been referring to Auntie Mae's unsightly
hand-knit sweater vest at the time, but she was quite accurate.
When it comes down to it, people love getting gifts, especially
edible ones!
The bottom line is, as a host, everything you offer your guests is a gift and (barring the unappreciative child or two) your efforts won't go unnoticed. That being the case, there's, no need to struggle with the elaborate hors d'oeuvres for every occasion. Prepare things like tapenade, using California Ripe Olives, and other spreads and dips that are as simple as a quick pulse in the food processor. Still stressed over those last minute details? Just plate up a few prepared foods like cocktail nuts, marinated California Ripe Olives and raw vegetables. No stress, no mess and your guests will be just as jolly.
Just 'cause it's easy doesn't mean it's boring. Just five interesting ingredients come together in this spread to make a tapenade like you've never tasted before. TOP
The
Gift of Yum
Not hosting at your home this year? You could go out and spend
a fortune on gourmet chocolates, fancy oils or salsas...or
you could prepare your own homemade hostess gifts in your
very own kitchen to bring to the party. And I have just the
tool to get you started. You guessed it. California Ripe
Olives! Too complex? I don't think so...Take a look.
- California Ripe Olive Antipasti: Combine
sliced California Ripe Olives with diced marinated
red bell peppers, diced mozzarella cheese and chopped basil.
Dress with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and pack into
a glass jar. Cover with cellophane, tie with a red ribbon
and refrigerate.
- Garlic stuffed California Ripe Olives: Peel
and quarter (lengthwise) approximately 15-20 garlic cloves.
Sauté in olive oil over low heat until just golden,
then remove from heat and cool. Stuff into extra large California
Ripe Olives. Place the olives into a glass jar &
top off with the olive brine from the can. Cover the jar
with colored cellophane, tie with a silver ribbon and refrigerate.
- Holiday Spiced California Ripe Olives: Whisk
together a few tablespoons of olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Season with orange zest, cayenne pepper, black pepper, rosemary
and a dash of cinnamon. Toss with California Ripe Olives
and garnish with a rosemary sprig. Pack into a glass jar,
covering with with the olive oil & vinegar liquid. Cover
the jar with colored plastic wrap and tie with a silver
ribbon, then refrigerate.
All of these will last in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. TOP
