Field + Fort
2580 Lillie Avenue Summerland, CA. (805) 770-7897 Great restaurant & shop!
“To-Go” orders & safe pick up during Covid.
You’ll find Ojai Habanero Apricot Jam on the menu, as well as for sale in the shop! photo credit: Field + Fort
photo credit: Amber Dolyak (805) 245-1274
Lunch Box Blues
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Do your kids have the lunch box blues?
Try adding a little Ojai Jelly to their PB&J-
OR add peanut butter or almond butter to the crease of a few
sticks of celery, then add a side of Ojai Jelly for a fun
dipping delight!
You’ll be surprised how many kids love the combo-
W: www.ojaijelly.com
E: info@ojaijelly.com
Let’s talk Venison-
–
I’m not wild about venison myself, but I’m surrounded by people that LOVE it.
The sauce recipes would make boot straps tasty…
If you have a tough piece of buck you’re trying to make a meal of, this sauce will work its magic-
I tend to make a lot at a time but it’s easy to cut this recipe down to 1/4
Habanero Balsamic Sauce
→Heat level 4
4 jars Ojai Habanero Jelly
1 c Balsamic Vinegar
Place ingredients in medium saucepan over medium heat.
Bring mixture to a simmer & reduce heat. Keep at a low simmer & stir occasionally.
Cook for 45-60 minutes.
Let cool on counter top, Cover & refrigerate. Keeps well for up to 2 weeks.
Mixture will thicken as it cools. Enjoy on venison, bbq’d chicken, vegetables +++
Habanero Marinate
can also be used as a glaze or sauce
→Heat level 3
4 jars Ojai Habanero Jelly
1 can of Coca Cola (not diet)
2 T Worcestershire Sauce
1 fresh bay leaf
Place ingredients in medium saucepan over medium heat.
Bring mixture to a simmer & reduce heat. Keep at a low simmer & stir occasionally.
Cook for 45-60 minutes.
Let cool on counter top. Cover & refrigerate. Keeps well for up to 2 weeks.
If you want to get rid of the gamey flavor, use as a marinate.
Need a recipe? Send me a note at info@ojaijelly.com
& let me see what I can come up with!
enjoy
Ojai Habanero Apricot Jam
MY NEW FAVORITE! ♥♥♥ it!
Ripe California Apricots Blended with Habanero Peppers
Decadent on cheesecake or over ice cream-
Remarkable on bagels or waffles-
Jam-Packed with flavor-Big cheese pleaser!
Transformative on chicken-
A perfect addition to nearly everything…
Heal Level 2
Year of the Horse Salad
A special THANK YOU to local Santa Barbara artist; Katie Upton.
I ♥ her work!
Wine Pairing; Zaca Mesa Winery 2011 Viognier
Toss together;
2 c. organic beets, spiralized, then lightly steamed, or micro’d ‘al dente’
2 c. organic Granny Smith Apples, spiralized or sliced thin
1/2 c. organic kale, or a handful of fresh parsley- chopped
1/2 c. organic celery root, (anise root, or jicama are also delicious)- chopped
Dressing;
(heat & mix over low heat, do not boil)
1/2 c. olive oil
2-3 t. Ojai Jalapeño Jelly
Once it’s cooled, complete by adding;
1/2 c. “White Apple Balsamic Vinegar”
1/2 c. White Stilton Mango & Ginger Cheese
squeeze of lemon (♥ Meyers)
At the last moment throw in
a handful of “NutC” Sweet n’ Spicy Walnuts– broken up, irregularly
Toss & serve-
enjoy!
Sweet & Sour Fish (chicken or pork)
Sweet & Sour Fish
Sea of Corteo- Woo Hoo!
Ruby’s first Dorado! ¡si!
Use organic, local ingredients whenever possible-
On the Sea of Cortez Dorado & Wahoo are plenty- Tonight’s dinner: “Ruby’s Sweet & Sour Dorado”.
Tip; have everything prepped & ready to go. Don’t have hot oil waiting- it’s a recipe for disaster…
Serves about 6
2 pounds fresh fish (Dorado, Halibut, Sea Bass, Wahoo- any mild white fish, chicken or pork is excellent)
2-3 t. salt
oil for frying (about 2″ deep in a frying pan)
Batter:
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. cornstarch
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 c. cold water
Sauce:
3 T. apple cider vinegar
1/3- 1/2 c. Ojai Habanero Jelly (I prefer the flavor & color)
3-4 fresh squeezed Mexican limes
1 1/2 c. pineapple juice
4 T. cornstarch
Garnish:
1 1/2 – 2 c. fresh, sweet pineapple chunks- cut in bite size pieces
1-2 carrots- cut in circles
1 c. sugar snap peas- tips cut off
1/2 c. sesame seeds- dry roast in frying pan until golden brown & beginning to “pop”
1.
Rinse then pat dry fish. Cut into bite size pieces. Be SURE to remove all bones.
Sprinkle salt over fish.
2.
Toss fish into medium size plastic bag with
3/4 c. flour.
Shake. Remove excess flour & set aside.
3.
In a big bowl; prepare batter by mixing dry ingredients, then whisk in cold water. Set aside.
4.
In a medium size saucepan prepare sauce over low-medium heat. Add vinegar & Ojai Habanero Jelly, & lime juice.
In a separate small bowl mix; cornstarch & pineapple juice. Drizzle & whisk juice/cornstarch mixture into saucepan with the
Jelly mixture. Stir until thickened & somewhat translucent. Keep slightly warm until you’re ready to serve.
5.
Dip fish in batter mixture.
6.
Heat oil in deep frying pan, wok or deep fryer (about 375•)
Cook fish about 3 minutes- until golden brown. Drain off excess oil. Set aside in a warming dish until all fish is prepared.
7.
I suggest you serve the sauce on the side & let your guests add sauce to their liking.
Top with sesame seeds.
This dish is excellent served with rice.
enjoy!
Summertime Carrots
In a saucepan lightly steam;
5 medium size carrots- peeled
Drain well & transfer to a serving bowl
In the same saucepan heat;
2-3 T. OJAI Habanero Jelly
Heat till it sizzles for about 45 seconds
Add 1 T. Molasses
3 T. Lemon Balsamic Vinegar (Robbins Family Farm)
Stir for just a moment & remove from heat.
Pour sauce over carrots,
add 1 finely chopped green onion
Toss & serve-
Delicious warm or cold
enjoy!
Vegan Sushi Roll
served with a Savory Peanut Sauce
Ingredients;
10–12 Spring Roll Skins
1 small Red or Yellow Bell Pepper
7 Asparagus spears
1/3 of a Fennel Root
3 small Carrots
1 medium Haas Avocado. cubed
about 1 c. Wild (or brown) rice, cooked
1-3 T. Robbins Family Farm Lemon Balsamic
Squeeze of fresh lemon
I add a little lemon zest occasionally
Cilantro
Nasturtium Flowers
1-3 T. Black sesame seeds
fresh rosemary
Instructions;
Gently wash & air dry;
Cilantro
Nasturtium flowers (separate petals) for color & a little spice to the roll. Set aside.
It’s only fair to WARN you that it would be best if you practice with the rice wraps a few times. They’re a bit temperamental, but worth the trouble. ONLY rinse ONE AT A TIME- & DO NOT lay them together. I’m convinced that laying them together inadvertently created the ‘super ball’. :/
Chop, grate, mince & julienne vegetables of your choice, considering size, texture & variety.
Place all vegetables, cooked rice & vinegar in a bowl-
Toss & set aside. Cilantro & Nasturtiums are not in the mix.
Next, run the rice paper under warm tap water until it changes from hard to malleable & use right away.
One at a time, lay on a very thin (NOT fuzzy) kitchen cloth.
Lightly dab off excess water. Lightly spray “Pam” olive oil on an olive serving dish. The indentation of the dish will assist you in forming the ‘cavity’ needed for the rolls. Lay the damp rice paper across the olive oil tray & push in the center to fill.
For flavor & a splash of color, lay a few nasturtium flower petals, &/or a cilantro leaf or two on the center of your rice paper. If you serve your rolls whole they will be seen first.
Next add about 3 T. of the ‘salad’ like mixture to the rice paper.
Pull up ends at the 6 o’clock & 12 o’clock position of your rice paper, then left to right. As you continue it will be more uniform to create sushi-looking rolls.
Aim for rolls that are about 1.5″ x 5″
Lightly sprinkle sesame seeds on top of each roll.
These wraps are translucent & make very attractive finger-food.
Savory Dipping Sauce
Ingredients;
3/4 c. Peanut Butter (I like fresh ground, organic)
3/4 c. Ojai Jalapeño Jelly or Ojai Habanero Jelly
Instructions;
Mix the peanut butter with Ojai Pepper Jelly.
Serve sauce in individual ramekins &/or with a small serving spoon- guests like to add sauce as they eat their roll.
Serve on a plain platter, so you & your guests can enjoy the natural colors of the ingredients. Garnish serving dish with a few Cilantro leaves & Nasturtium Flowers.
enjoy!
Chicken Rodrigo!
Rodrigo Gimenez Cocinero aka Rodrigo or RGC, & his lovely wife invited a friend and I to their home for dinner-
He proudly made chicken 3 different ways!
My favorite was his seared chicken breast along side potato towers, with a simmered Ojai Jalapeño Jelly drizzle atop both.
It was delicious!
Rodrigo also makes & sells fantastic Empenadas– Chicken, Pork, & Vegetarian. He discovered that the flavors are enhanced with the addition of Ojai Pepper Jelly!
The chicken Empenadas pair particularly well with Ojai Jalapeño Jelly!
Rodrigo also caters large & small functions & parties.
His Argentinean roots bring a very special flavor & flair to his foods-
Asparagus Spears wrapped in Prosciutto, drizzled with Habanero-Balsamic Reduction
This is a delicious appetizer- & the first way I tried prosciutto-
I was immediately hooked…
One bunch of organic asparagus spears- ends cut off, washed
About 10 thinly shaved pieces of prosciutto-
Cut each strip into 3 long strips, about 1″ wide
Boil a pot of water then turn off the heat.
Add asparagus & let sit for 2-3 minutes.
Drain & immediately cover with ice to preserve color.
Drain & gently pat dry. Set aside.
In a saucepan over low to medium heat add;
3 T. Ojai Habanero Jelly
1/2 c. Balsamic Vinegar
handful of craisins
Whisk together & stir until thickened, then remove from heat.
Wrap towel-dried asparagus with strips of prosciutto by twisting the asparagus as you hold the prosciutto.
For easy clean up, lay wrapped asparagus side by side on foil, in a baking dish.
Drizzle with balsamic Habanero reduction.
Broil for 5-7 minutes-
Served warm or @ room temperature-
Savory, sweet, salty wonderfulness- & you get your vegetable too!
enjoy!
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