Tag Archives: Festival Foods

Looking at our weather forecast this week, it seems like we need to serve up some comfort food. In our house that is usually soup or a hotdish! Our Hearty Italian Soup doesn’t take much time but it is rich in flavor, majority of the flavor comes from our fresh Italian sausage; made only at Festival Foods, we prefer the “hot” version of sausage for use in the soup, whatever you do don’t forget the mozzarella for the topping.  Serve the Hearty Italian soup by itself or with a small green salad and a baguette; either way it is an easy dinner to put on the table. If you are looking for a new family favorite Taco Soup may just be the one. Serving the Taco Soup with fresh cut Avocado and some fresh sliced Cilantro along with some crunchy chips makes this extra special. Here is a tasty meatless … Continue reading

Posted in Menu, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cold weather – warm comfort food

  Well, for the most part. The minute we completed this Bacon Jam we began to imagine all of the food we could pair with this sweet and savory condiment! First things first though we better show how we made the jam. Here is the recipe that yields approximately 16 ounces so you have plenty of Bacon Jam to experiment with. Very simple to make on the stovetop, so no need to whip out the slow-cooker. Our recipe calls for using our own Festival bacon, delightfully flavorful bacon. Start by cutting the bacon into one-inch pieces and toss into the fry pan to brown. When bacon is browned, drain all but approximately 1/4 of the bacon grease and add the chopped yellow onion, continue to cook until the onion is slightly translucent. Now the house will begin to smell VERY good. Now stir in brown sugar; cook until onions are … Continue reading

Posted in Menu, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Bacon makes everything better

Gearing up for some summer fun festivities for the 4th of July weekend and food as always plays a big role in the festivities. Overnight guests require a breakfast plan and we have an easy solution with our Sausage and Ricotta Frittata recipe. Our “Chef” Ryan  video shows how easy the prep is. Bring on the dogs for a fun take on lunch, how about a hot dog bar with a variety of different hot dog options such as a Sweet Chili Thai Peanut Hot Dog There are more fun hot dog suggestions from The Noble Pig. Pulled Pork for sandwiches is easy to prepare ahead of time, serve on some fresh rolls with some cole slaw for a taste good easy meal. If you’re looking for something easier on that consider our fully-cooked pulled pork from our Deli, just heat and eat! Our family style salads, sides catering offer … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Easy Summer Eating

One of the great things about good food is that it can bring the whole family together not only eating it, but also making it! There is a great deal of discussion about childhood obesity associated with soft drinks and snacking at home yet over 32 percent of American’ Caloric intake is food prepared away from home and accounting for 41 percent of their food budget. Until we get back in the kitchen and begin preparing meals and snacks with fresh ingredients we will not solve the problem of childhood obesity. Cooking together will teach our children essential skills for life and it’s a terrific way to spend some quality time together as a family and is far easier on the budget than eating out. What better meal to celebrate the beginning of warm weather than grilling kabobs with everyone participating in preparation, assembly and cooking. The meat used in … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Let’s Get Cooking!

Since it seems we will be spending Saturday in the house thanks to snow, rain, and wind and whatever else Mother Nature throws at us, why not do some cooking and snuggle in to watch the Kentucky Derby and some flicks. Time to think about what that menu should look like! We do so many recipes with Buffalo flavor we went searching trends and experimenting for a new take on wings and determined that Jerk Seasoned Wings were the winning flavor. This recipe has the wings marinate in a lovely spicy sauce that infuses some wonderful flavors into the wings. This Jerk Chicken Wing recipe is for 3 lbs. but you may want to double the recipe because these chicken wings are addicting! Serve up some Red Stripe and at least mentally transport yourself to the warmer climate of Jamaica.     We’re going to suggest that you keep this … Continue reading

Posted in Menu, Party, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Off to a good start…

The fresh Halibut season has begun in the US and the fillets have been awesome! One of our favorite recipes for Hallibut is Fish Tacos with Chunky Guacamole. This recipe also works well for Shrimp Tacos, use some shredded Spanish Manchego Cheese for a lovely combination with the shrimp. Guacamole is also a healthy snack that takes very little time to prepare, we have Guacamole at our house at least once per week. Guacamole is a lovely side to so many dishes. Another fabulous recipe for Halibut is Roasted Halibut with Red Bell Peppers, ask our butchers to remove the skin on the Halibut for you to save time. Click on the photo below for the recipe.   Source: eatingwell.com via Festival on Pinterest   Nothing says spring like a delicious dish made with Asparagus! We found this recipe for Absurdly Addictive Asparagus on Food52.com and fell in love, let … Continue reading

Posted in Menu, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Just for the Halibut!

Our Premium Quality Double Smoked Bone-In Ham has been a holiday tradition for many families. Our ham is twice smoked over hard wood, it is fully cooked so you may simply bake covered with foil or lid at 325 degrees for approximately 15 minutes per pound to an internal temperature of 140 degrees. This video featuring Festival team members Ray and Jason explains the advantages of purchasing and serving a premium quality ham. If you prefer a glaze on your holiday ham this is a fabulous recipe for Cranberry Maple Glazed Ham. I recently saw this recipe in Bon Appétit magazine for Easter Ham with Golden Breadcrumbs and Madeira Sauce and it sounds delicious so I plan to prepare this for our holiday dinner. Regardless of the recipe you choose for your ham, the perfect accompaniment is our Cheesy Potatoes, all you need to do is pop them in the oven! Leftover ham from your dinner … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hop on it – Easter is almost here!

Well we might not be invited but there’s no reason we can’t have our own fabulous “Governor’s Ball”. The menu by Wolfgang Puck for the 2013 Governor’s Ball is somewhat intimidating but there is no reason we can’t whip up some pretty fine fare in our own homes to watch the Academy Awards in fine-tasting style with friends. Rather than their shrimp fritters for an appetizer try our recipe for Beer-Battered Coconut Shrimp with a lovely light batter.   These Italian Sliders would really spice up the evening and make quite an impression, made with our very own fresh Italian sausage -made right in the store. Always on our table when entertaining is Chunky Guacamole and now a new favorite on our table is a Black Bean Dip, a spicy warm delight.   Buffalo flavor something is always on the table as well. For something new pick up some of … Continue reading

Posted in Menu, Party, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on and the Oscar goes to…you for the food

Valentine’s Day is one of our favorite holidays at Festival Foods and it will be here before you know it! Step into our stores and you’ll be swept away by the festive atmosphere of our floral and gift departments and wowed by the selection of especially delicious products throughout the rest of the store to make Valentine’s Day perfect – without reservations! Love is in the air when you serve a breakfast of French Toast made very special by using our Taste of Scandinavia Chunky Cinnamon Bread. Surprise your Valentine with a side of heart shaped bacon, easy to make just cut and shape the bacon and bake it in the oven. Garnish the plate with a Chocolate Dipped Long Stemmed Strawberry for the finishing touch! If a romantic dinner is more to your liking let’s begin with the appetizers; we have some spectacular Maine Lobster Claws, already cooked  that … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Menu, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Without Reservations

Food is an important part of celebrations throughout the world, regardless of culture. The next several days have many celebrations so we’ve been sorting through recipes to share with you that you and your family might prepare together to recognize these traditional festivities. The Chinese New Year begins on February 10 – The Year of the Snake. Kung Pao Chicken with Noodles is one of our favorite chicken recipes and seems perfect for a Sunday meal with your family. The peppers create some lovely heat and the crunch of the peanuts really makes the dish. Another recipe with some heat from crushed red pepper is Chicken with Cashews, my favorite ingredient in this recipe is the fragrant fresh Ginger! Just because we’re not in New Orleans doesn’t mean we don’t love the food and festivities of Mardi Gras! Our favorite restaurant is Commander’s Palace and the House Salad with Creole … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Menu, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Celebrate with Food