Ojai Pixie Tangerines!

The season you been waiting for is coming this week:  Ojai Pixie Tangerines!

Savor the tasty, delicate treat of tree-ripened fruit bursting with sunshine-sweet flavor and juice. This seedless variety is the result of open pollination of Kincy, King and Dancy mandarins. Popular backyard trees in Ojai California, they bear small to medium-sized citrus, having pebbly textured, yellow-orange rinds with loose skins that peel easily. The segments separate neatly for a quick snack, making them a great choice for eating out of hand.

Try this Pixie Tangerine Cake recipe:
http://www.melissas.com/Recipes/Recipes/Desserts/Pixie-Tangerine-Cake.aspx

Rhubarb is back in Season!

Although generally eaten as a fruit, Rhubarb is a vegetable, botanically speaking. Of the two basic types of Rhubarb: hothouse and field grown, . Look for Hothouse Rhubarb o have pink to pale pink stalks, while field grown Rhubarb  characteristically has cherry-red stalks.  Delicious in sauces, jams and desserts, Rhubarb is best known for its combination with strawberries. Because of its intense tartness, Rhubarb is generally combined with a considerable amount of sugar.  Hot House season is Feb and mid March.  Field grown is mid March to October.

Seedless Lemon - Great Idea!

These lemons are a Natural Hybridization of a lemon that grows without producing seeds.    Initially, the seedless lemon crop was used only in restaurants looking to reduce waste and time by using seedless lemons.  Now, their unmistakable lemon flavor is available to everyone thanks to Melissa’s!   

Lemons are found in many tropical cuisines around the world and are a definite universal fruit.  A squeeze from Melissa’s Seedless Lemon will enhance the flavor of many dishes including chicken, fish and vegetables, and soups without the hassle of picking out seeds. 
Also add Seedless Lemon slices to marinades, sauces, and fruit salads.
A squeeze of lemon without the seeds speeds up prep time and enhances the flavor of many dishes including chicken, fish, vegetables and soups. Seedless lemons are available year round to add juice and zest to marinades, sauces and even used to retain color and add zing to fruit salads.

Ojai Kishu Mandarines

Cute, small, sweet and juicy.... making them a perfect snack for young children. They are the size of a walnut, They are available January through mid March, the season for these small citrus continues to increase with time and consumer demand for them!

More information and recipes:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Kishu-Mandarins.aspx

Sour Oranges for the Season

This winter season has been the most requested for Sour Oranges.  This variety is popular because foodies are getting back to canning and perserving this fruit in particular.

The most popular variety of Sour Orange are the Seville, many used for making jellies and jams.

More information about Seville Oranges:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Seville-Oranges.aspx

Tarocco Oranges - Now in Season!

Tarocco oranges are named for their deep pink or red-streaked flesh. Their thin skins may have a red blush also, but often times do not. Although native to Sicily, Melissa's Tarocco Oranges are now being grown in California. These citrus fruits are easy to peel, have very few seeds, and are richly flavored with a hint of sweet berries. Smaller than an average orange with slightly rougher skin, Melissa’s Tarocco Oranges are juicy and best when eaten fresh. These oranges are also popular for use in cooked sauces, providing an excellent flavor when used on meat and fish, vegetables, rice and salads.

Signs of Spring

For most people, spring isn't a concept they are dealing with right now.. it seems that most are in the middle of a strong winter season.. but already in California we are seeing signs of spring!

Most recently Spring Garlic has appeared to be available now... So can this mean that spring is coming or just luck has California and is just giving a break from colder weather and rain?

Time will only tell..

More information about Spring Garlic:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Spring-Garlic.aspx

The Big Game

The biggest sporting event of the year is almost upon us and when that crowd of hungry football fanatics descends upon your living room, you’ll be ready. Whether you want to keep it simple with just a few friends, or you’re having a full-on blowout bash for your favorite team, we have the recipes for success.

Melissa's has put together a scrumptious mix and match menu of easy party fare that your friends will rave about for years to come. And what could be easier? Many of these recipes can also be created the day before and reheated just prior to your guests' arrival. They may not remember the final score, but they'll remember that buffet! For great food, without the hassle, we have the winning recipe.

Below we feature some fan-tested tailgate favorites that are healthy, delicious and sooo easy to create. Choose a few that you prefer for a casual, intimate menu, or make them all for a championship spread. No matter what your taste, when it comes to super-delicious menu ideas, you can count on Melissa's.

See Melissa's Produce Super "Big Game" Menu:
http://www.melissas.com/Recipes/Featured-Menus/The-Big-Game.aspx

What are Kumquats?

The word "kumquat" comes from the Cantonese kin kü, meaning ''golden orange''. A bit larger than an olive, the Kumquat looks like a tiny, oval orange.

A native of China, and also grown in Japan and the U.S., the Kumquat is a citrus fruit that is entirely edible. The orange flesh is juicy, acidic and tart while the skin is fragrant and sweet.

They can be used in dressings and frostings, candied, or used in preserves, stuffings, cakes, and muffins.  Kumquats also make a wonderfully delicious gift for the holidays and the Chinese New Year.

Kumquat and Jicama Salad

1/2 pound Kumquats

1 medium Jicama 

1 cup Mango

1/4 cup Red Onion diced into 1/8 inch chunk

2 tablespoons  Limes, juice freshly squeeze

1/4 cup Cilantro leaves chopped

Pico De Gallo seasoning, to taste

Take the kumquats and wash, then slice lengthwise.  Peel the jicama, including the fibrous layer just beneath the skin. Slice the flesh into 1/4 inch pieces. Then dice the jicama into 1/8 inch pieces. Place in a bowl. Combine remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Allow to chill 2 hours before serving.

And more Chinese New Year Info

Chinese New Year is celebrated by Asian cultures worldwide. This year, 2011, is the Year of the Rabbit. If you were born in one of these years, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, you are born in the Year of the Rabbit.  People born in the year of the Rabbit are said to be ambitious, yet calm, gentle and loving.

Celebrations with families and food, beginning February 3, 2011, will continue for weeks to follow. Feasts with traditional foods signify the year to come: noodles signify long life, kumquats signify prosperity, mushrooms represent coins signifying riches and prosperity, Buddha's Hand citrus signify good luck and fortune along with individual family traditions as well.

Gung Hey Fet Choy!

More Chinese New Year Traditions - Feb. 3rd

Plants and Flowers:
Every traditional Chinese household should also have live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Flowers are believed to be symbolic of wealth and high positions in one’s career. Lucky is the home with a plant that blooms on New Year’s Day, for that foretells a year of prosperity. In more elaborate settings, plum blossoms just starting to bloom are arranged with bamboo and pine sprigs, the grouping symbolizing friends. The plum blossom also signifies reliability and perseverance; the bamboo is known for its compatibility, its utility and its flexible stems for furniture and other articles; the evergreen pine evokes longevity and steadiness. Other highly prized flowers are the pussy willow, azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus.

The Chinese firmly believe that without flowers, there would be no formation of any fruits. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations. They are the emblems of reawakening of nature; they are also intimately connected with superstition and with the wish for happiness during the ensuing year.

Oranges and Tangerines:
Etiquette dictates that you must bring a bag of oranges and tangerines and enclose a lei see when visiting family or friends anytime during the two-week long Chinese New Year celebration. Tangerines with leaves intact assure that one’s relationship with the other remains secure. For newlyweds, this represents the branching of the couple into a family with many children.  Oranges and Tangerines are symbols for abundant happiness.

Candy Tray:
The candy tray arranged in either a circle or octagon is called "The Tray of Togetherness" and has a dazzling array of candy to start the New Year sweetly. After taking several pieces of candy from the tray, adults places a red envelope (lei see) on the center compartment of the tray.

Chinese New Year is February 3rd!

Chinese New Year is celebrated worldwide with food, festivities and many traditions.  Melissa’s can help make these traditions a reality with many of our hard to find products like Buddha's Hand and Kumquats.  Enjoy your Chinese New Year feast with the wonderful variety of fresh Asian vegetables available.  Below are some of the many traditions and some of the traditional foods and what they symbolize to help you plan your festive Chinese New Year celebration:

Kumquats- symbolizes prosperity (gold)

Coconuts- symbolizes togetherness

Longans - symbolizes many good sons

Buddha's Hand- given as gifts to represent good luck and fortune for the year

Mandarins -  represent wealth.

Gai Lan - encourages youth and wealth.

Lettuce - also symbolizes wealth.

Mushrooms - represent coins signifying riches and prosperity.  

Green Onions - symbolize brilliance and intelligence. 

Won Tons - are served to guests as a blessing for good fortune.

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New Year's Resolution

1. Eat more Fruits and Vegetables
2 Eat less candy / junk food
3. Exercise


Are your New Year Resolution listing looks like everyone else?  The easiest thing on the list is to eat more fruits and vegetables, its realistic and believe or not, you have to eat.. so make it more produce this year!

Here are some ideas to get you started...  try a Papaya, Coconut Water, Red Banana, Korean Pear, Mango, Kiwi and Passion Fruit!  Go to the store today and challenge yourself to eat a new exciting fruit or vegetable the next time you want to snack... your body will reward you for it over time!

Blackeyed Peas for New Years!

Southern Tradition says to have your Blackeyed Peas on New Year Day!

 Blackeyed Pea Stew Recipe

 

1 pound bacon - diced
1 cup Organic Celery chopped
1 cup Organic Yellow Onion chopped
1 cup Organic Bell Pepper (green) chopped
1 tub Blackeyed Peas (11 ounces)
1 can Vegetable Broth (14 1/2 ounces)
1 can Organic Tomatoes - diced (29 ounces)

 

In a large pot over medium high heat, sauté the bacon until crisp. Set aside the bacon, reserving the fat in the pot. Add the celery, onion and green bell pepper, then sauté 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the black eyed peas, broth and stewed tomatoes and allow to heat through, about 15 more minutes. Top with crumbled bacon when serving.

Neapolitan Tangerines are so Good!

There is nothing like a great tasting piece of fruit that tastes like candy... that's what the Neapolitan Tangerine tastes like!

They are small, easy to peel and seedless... but only available December and January!  So next time you go to the store... look or request them before they are all gone until next season!

All about them and recipes:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Neapolitan-Tangerine.aspx

Cocktail Grapefruit are Wonderful!

You don't need to love Grapefruit to appreciate this variety.  The Cocktail Grapefruit is much different compared to your common grapefruit.  


The difference is that they are exceptionally sweet and juicy. Looking much like a grapefruit with a yellow and green rind, this hybrid citrus actually combines the sweetness of a Mandarin with the wonderful flavor of the Pummelo. The result is a fruit similar to grapefruit in taste but without the bitterness or acidity.

For more information and recipes on Cocktail Grapefruit:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Cocktail-Grapefruit.aspx

Roasted Chestnut Soup Recipe

 

2 packages Melissa’s Whole Peeled and Cooked Chestnuts

2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter

1 large Organic Yellow Onion rough chopped

2 cloves Peeled Garlic chopped

2 large Organic Carrots rough chopped

2 ribs Organic Celery rough chopped

1/2 cup Sherry

6 cups Low Sodium Fat Free Chicken Broth

2 large Leeks white and pale green parts only washed well and rough chopped

1 Dried Bay Leaves 

Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425ºF.
Place chestnuts, in a single layer, on a cookie sheet coated with cooking spray. Place in the oven and roast for 10 minutes, tossing them half through the cooking time.
In a large pot, heat the oil and melt the butter. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes. Next add the garlic, carrots and celery and cook until caramelized. About 10 minutes. Do not let it run dry. Add a little oil if needed. Add the sherry and cook until almost dry. Next, add the broth, leeks, bay leaf and chestnuts to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil and then simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Carefully blend the soup until smooth, either using a submersion blender or counter top blender.
Note:If desired, garnish the soup with some chopped chestnuts.

Easy way to obtain Peeled Chestnuts:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Chestnuts-Whole-Peeled-and-Cooked.aspx

Seedless Lemons make it Easy!

Lemons are typically an essential ingredient when cooking or baking... the one problem that occurs from time to time is getting lemon seeds into the recipe... ever happened to you?

Seedless Lemons make it easier to work with juice or cutting for garnish without the mess and problems associated with the seeds of these fruits.   This has been a developing crop over the last 10 years and now it has made its debut into produce departments across the country!

More information and recipes:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Seedless-Lemons.aspx

Korean Pears for the New Years

The New Year is about making new years resolutions, such as eating more healthy!   Eating more fruits and vegetable is one of the best ways to achieve that goal.

One fruit in particular you would want to reach for at the supermarkets are Korean Pears.

Find more information and recipes:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Korean-Pears.aspx

Tangerines of the Season...

There are some many tangerines / mandarins / clementines available out there.. which are the best tasting?

Melissa's Neapolitan Tangerines are a newer hybrid variety available commercially, but only from December  to early February.  This variety is slightly smaller in size and is  big flavor with a very high natural sugar content. This fruit is seedless, easy to peel and extremely juicy. Grown in California, an area known for its citrus fruits!  Look or ask for them at your local store!  Following these tangerines are the Ojai Pixie Tangereines in March 2011!...

More information and recipes:
http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/Neapolitan-Tangerine.aspx