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