Jam Fest – New Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads Enhance More than English Muffins

Mom Central was invited to attend a luncheon event celebrating Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads at Spring Street Natural in NYC. Opinions expressed here are our own.

Lately I have become much more conscious of what I’m eating, not only as it pertains to caloric and fat intake, but I also want to make sure that I can pronounce the ingredients that are on the label and eat more natural foods. So I was so excited to learn that Smucker’s has recently introduced a new natural line of fruit spreads – Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads – available in Concord Grape, Strawberry, Orange Marmalade, and Red Raspberry varieties.

At the event, we learned how to incorporate Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads into a variety of meal ideas that go far beyond your average English muffin! Not only can we stir in Smucker’s Natural into our morning oatmeal or smoothies to get a burst of natural flavor, we can use the spreads in a variety of appetizer or meal ideas.

The Spring Street Natural kitchen staff put together some delicious appetizers for us to try, including Goat Cheese Orange Chickpea Crostini, Waffle Cone Fruit Cups, Strawberry Cream Cheese Tarts, and much, much more! I loved how the fruit flavors enhanced the taste of these dishes and added a natural sweetness to the taste of each dish.

After enjoying a variety of delicious treats and learning about the spreads, we were challenged to create our own appetizers using a variety of ingredients and Smucker’s Natural spreads. My team was challenged to create a holiday appetizer, and we got creative by concocting a spinach tortilla filled with mascarpone cheese, Smucker’s Red Raspberry Natural Fruit Spread, and some dried cranberries. It was delicious and festive!

So you can try to create some of these delicious Smucker’s Natural-inspired treats firsthand, here are a few of our favorite recipes we sampled from the event using Smucker’s Natural spreads:

Boston Bibb Lettuce Cups

Makes 3 cups coleslaw mixture and 3/4 cup sauce total

Serves 4 (3/4 cup coleslaw mixture, 3 lettuce leaves and 3 tablespoons sauce per serving)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coleslaw with carrots mix
• 1/2 cup salted dry roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 2/3 cup Smucker’s® Sweet Orange Marmalade
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried pepper flakes, optional
• 12 Boston Bibb lettuce leaves

Directions:

1. Combine the coleslaw mix, peanuts and bell pepper in a medium bowl.
2. Whisk together the marmalade, vinegar and pepper flakes in a small bowl.
3. Divide coleslaw mixture evenly onto lettuce leaves(about 1/4 cup per lettuce leaf).
4. Spoon equal amounts (about 1 tablespoon) on top of each serving.
5. Overlap edges of lettuce leaf to create a wrap.

Sweet Strawberry Blue Cheese Belgian Endive

Makes 24 stuffed leaves total

Serves 8 (3 leaves per serving)

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces reduced fat or regular blue cheese
• 2 ounce 1/3 less fat or regular cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 24 Belgian endive leaves, (about 2 heads, ends trimmed and leaves separated)
• 1/4 cup Smucker’s Seedless Strawberry Jam
• 1 medium jalapeno, halved lengthwise and very thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Combine the blue cheese and cream cheese in a small microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave on high setting for 1 minute or until cheese is slightly softened.
3. Whisk until smooth.
4. Gradually add the milk and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate until cooled, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Spoon equal amounts (about 1 teaspoon) of the cheese mixture on each endive leaf.
6. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon jam and 1 jalapeno slice on top of each.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Mom Central