Hi Everyone, I have attached a Nothings & Salsa Coupon. Feel free to print as many times as you like during the month of December. Feel free to pass along to your friends. We all do a lot of visiting during the holidays and our Nothings are always a hit. Please make sure you pre-order at least one day ahead. 519-966-0997 Cheers to you all Jeff

Halloween

Happy Halloween!

UUUUMMMMMMMM......Nothings & Salsa!

My new favorite rice.

I'm a pretty big fan of rice.....all different types of rice dishes....long grain, short grain, sticky, pilaf, risotto, perfume, paella and yes, when in a pinch at home, i've used minute rice.......what does all that rice have in common?......yup, it's all white....im not a fan of wild or brown rice. Something about the texture more then the taste I find. Until one day I saw brown basmati rice in the bulk barn.....I love white basmati (it's my favorite of all the white variety) so I thought I'd give it a try. It was awesome!.... It doesn't take on the same flavour as white basmati (you know, that nutty flavour)....but the texture after cooked was very close to a pilaf. Here is a quick pilaf recipe you can try.......feel free to play with all the ingredients as per your flavour profile.....but do not change the rice to liquid ratio or the cooking times / procedure.

Serves about 4:
1/2 red onion diced
1 cloved crushed or minced garlic
1 tsp salt
.5 tsp pepper
2 tbs butter
1 tbs canola oil
1.5 cups brown basmati rice
2 whole bayleaves
1.75 cups liquid (water or stock)
1 tsp diced fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, whatever you like)
.25 cup frozen peas and or chopped fresh spinach
Method:
In a pot (that has a tight cover) fry the onions in the oil until lightly browned.
Add the garlic, bay leaves and salt and continue to fry for 1 minute....do not let it brown any more.
Add the basmati and cook for 1 minute.
Add the liquid and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, stir once then put pot lid on and turn heat to low and set a timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn heat off and set timer for another 20 minutes to allow the rice to rest....do not open the lid.....don't even sneak a peak!
Once the resting timer is done, now you can peak.....carefully remove the lid and fold in the butter (optional) and the peas or spinach. Folding these last ingredients fluff the rice, let rest again with cover back on for 5 minutes...it is now ready to serve.
Note: you can sub some of the liquid for many things....I like to use half veggie stock and the other half coconut milk....or half chicken stock and half stewed tomatoes.........just make sure the total liquid always equals 1.75 cups.

Guilt free brown rice.
Jeff

Gift Baskets - "of fresh food?"

This is a growing trend at Just Jeff's. We never really thought of this service when we opened 9 years ago, but it has slowly grown over the last few years. It all started with Gift Certificates... then many asked if we could deliver food.....now many are asking us to send X-amount of dollars in food with a card to a loved one who may have lost their spouse, or someone who just came out of surgery, or a new mom/parent just out of the hospital. Most of our new repeat customers today are past recipients of such gifts and they all say the same thing....."This was the best gift ever.....I didn't have to worry about dinner".....sure flowers are nice, balloons are nice too.....but not having to cook!.....awesome!
With all this said, keep use in the back of your mind when it comes to a helpful gift for that special someone.

Eat Well... Without The Work!

Jeff

Coupons

Short & Sweet!.....click on this link to print them.

http://www.519coupons.com/local.cfm?redir=listings&srchby=co&companyid=234

See you all soon.

Gluten Free Meals

Many of Just Jeff's Meals are gluten free. Many of the other meals can be made gluten free - notice required.
Details instore or give us a call.
519-966-0997

Bloggers Discount

Well, It's no surprise costs are going up everywhere. Blame it on whatever you want, but the fact is costs keep going up.
As a small token, I'm offering this attached coupon to all my bloggers. Print it and reprint it as often as you wish. Use it multiple times per visit...but only for our Large Platter (now selling for $25+HST). This coupon will give you the old price for another 2 months.
You must present this coupon at purchase. You only need one coupon if your purchasing more then one platter at that visit.
Be the one who brings the most delicious, unique munchie to the party.
NOTHINGS & SALSA
Forward this link to a friend.
Cheers

Thanksgiving Menu - 2010

Last year we cooked over 1000 pounds of turkey for this Holiday.

Call in and reserve your order - (519) 966-0997

Enjoy the Holiday with your Family & Friends… Not Cooking & Cleaning!
2010 – Menu


Thanksgiving Feast

Fresh Roasted Turkey au Jus
60% white meat & 40% dark meat all sliced and ready to serve.
Maple Ginger Glazed Ham
Slow roast ham sliced then topped with our homemade glaze.
Smoked Pork & Sage Stuffing
Our popular dressing finished with onions, celery and turkey stock.
Smashed Potatoes with (a hint of) Yams
Seasoned white potatoes smashed with butter and a hint of roasted yams for flavour.
Mixed Medley of Fresh Vegetables
Fresh medley of hand cut vegetables cooked to perfection with garlic butter.

All above are served with homemade gravy & cranberry sauce.

4 servings = $69.99 ~~ 8 servings = $129.99 ~~ 12 servings = $189.99 Plus HST.

Sub all white meat for an additional $1.75 / per person.
Additional gravy - $7.00 / Litre (litre serves 4)
Substitutions available – additional charges may apply.


Additional Holiday Suggestions

Nothings & Salsa – Large Platter $20.00
House Tossed Salad with Tomatoes & Cucumbers – Small Pan $17.00
Breast of Chicken Marsala – Small Pan $47.00
Pasta with Meat Sauce – Small Pan $32.00
Swedish Style Meatballs with Dill – 8 dozen $37.00

See our Catering Menu for Additional Options.
www.justjeffs.com


Just Heat & Serve - Heating directions provided.

All Orders must be placed no later than Thursday October 7th for pickup on
Saturday October 9th - between 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Don’t forget… we repeat this menu for the
U.S. Thanksgiving in November!

Addictive Chips

Holy Nothings & Salsa... if you want to be the one who brings the most delicious, out of the ordinary munchie to any gathering, you had better bring our Nothings & Salsa. Our seasoned chips with salsa dip are always a hugh hit. Be warned though....Call ahead. We run out every weekend. It doesn't matter how many extra we make.
Our Large Platter serves 15-20 guests....$20, and our Small Platter serves 6-10 guests for only $10.
Don't say you were not warned!
Enjoy.
Jeff

Naming a new program

Our new "Senior Meal Solutions" program is really taking off. I must tell you that I really struggled naming it. I wasn't really sure if I should call it "Senior" because of the fear to offend or limit my market. That's water under the bridge now....The name stands, anyway....my point is that many (middle aged) have come in ordering this for themselves...which is good(controlling portion sizes)....they often feel like they are being dishonest or perhaps telling a little white lie when they order.....if that's you....keep this in mind when you place your order....

We do NOT check ID .....

This program is perfect for portion control......and mom & dad.
Eat Well...Without The Work!

Jeff

Senior Meals Program

Some of you may know by now that I've just introduced our new Senior Meals Program. Long story short, smaller portioned complete meals (designed for small appetites) all in one oven-ready container. Smaller portions equal smarter pricing. See all the details on our website "Menus Section".
I've attached the Nutrition & Pics Sheet. Just click on it for a better printable view.
Talk to you all soon.

Damn Sodium!!!

I can't begin to tell you all how difficult it is to make food taste good without adding salt. Since the Senior Meal orders have been pouring in, over 90% of them requested low sodium (for obvious reasons). It's amazing how much sodium is in raw ingredients to begin with...and things like canned tomatoes, herbs, root vegetables etc. AAAAWWWWWWWWW
I'm currently testing all the recipes with low sodium added so I can enter the recipe data into my Nutritional Software. Many have requested this info on the food items. I make the dish....taste it... think it's a little on the bland side, then enter the recipe data and....holy cow....800mg of sodium!.....are you kidding me!....makes me wonder what good restaurant sodium levels are......that info soon to follow in a future blog!

Anyway...it's been a challenge and educational. One thing is for sure, I will never stop using fresh quality ingredients.
Talk to you soon.

FYI... Daily recommended sodium for the day (average 2000 calorie diet)is only a touch over 1 teaspoon!.....most people use one teaspoon in their pasta water... or half a teaspoon on a steak...not to mention the potatoes, veggies and sauce with the steak!

Senior Meal Solutions Program

For Immediate Release!
March 25, 2010

Just Jeff’s Gourmet Express, an industry leader in well balanced meal solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of their new “Senior’s Meal Solutions” program. This program was designed to meet the demanding needs for easy to prepare complete meals, portioned for seniors. Responding to industry trends, we identified that the four most important needs in the senior’s market were proper portion sizing, delivery, ease of re-heating, and well balanced quality food with flavour. This new program not only meets these needs, but addresses long standing concerns about eating well…without the work.

Complete meals all in one container ready for the oven or easily transferred to a microwaveable dish for heating. Smaller appetites are met with our smarter portion sizes, and that comes with smarter pricing per meal. We help address the inconvenience of picking up meals by delivering them to the comfort of your home or office. Lastly, but most importantly, we produce well balanced meals with flavor. Flavor starts with fresh ingredients, proper cooking techniques and consistency… no preservatives are added to Just Jeff’s products. Just Jeff’s is a market leader in the Home Meal Replacement industry.

All the details can be found at our website – www.justjeffs.com

Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or further information.

It's been a while...

Sorry to be so long between blogs....My goal is to commit atleast once per month. Anyway....coming soon to Just Jeff's is our new Senior's Meal Solutions. Single portion, oven ready meals. Details soon to follow.
Talk to you soon.
Jeff

Windsor Economy

I can't begin to tell you how sad it is to see all types of businesses closing down in the Windsor area. As a business owner, I can appreciate the amount of work, time and money put into a new business. No one wishes this type of fate to a business, even if they are a compeditor. We can only hope this economy will rebound sooner rather then later. It's depressing no matter which side of the fence you are on.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for there support and business. Thankfully, Just Jeff's is still going strong and has outlasted large food franchises in the area. We will continue to produce consistant quality products and impliment new services as time goes on.
Keeping your head up can be difficult at times....but it's one of the only things we have control of.

Eat Well... Without The Work!
See you soon.
Jeff

Holy Construction!!!!

A very special thanks to all who are dealing with the construction on your trip to our store. We have construction to the north of us and to the south. This is the reason why we have extended the experation date (to September 30th) of our latest coupon which expired August 31st.
On a different note....a very special thanks to Ted Whipp and the Windsor Star for our latest story on September 2nd. Visit our Media Page for the whole story.
Keep Cookin'.....or better yet...let me do it for you!
Jeff

Festival Epicure - 2009

Hi Everyone,
I just thought I'd take a sec to let you all know that I'm going to have a booth at Festival Epicure this year. Just in case you don't know about it, it is a wonderful Food and Drink Festival in front of the Casino July 10, 11 & 12. Our booth will have our popular Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya, Swedish Beef Meatballs over Smashed Potatoes, our New Chicken Fajita Handwich and our Famous Fried Wontons (we call "Nothings") Check out all the details at the Epicure Link located on the bottom left of our Home Page.
See you this weekend.
Jeff

twitter????

yup, i'm now joining the twitter club....i'm not sure why (marketing i guess) but i refuse to show my age by not doing so. Don't expect much right away....but as i learn the ways of twitter, perhaps i will share lots more then I do on my blog. (no promises though)...im best in the kitchen!

http://twitter.com/
my user name is JustJeffs .... go figure eh!
Happy cooking.

Food Franchising

As many of you already know we pitched our concept to 5 investors with the hopes of opening our first franchise in a major market (Toronto) which in turn would get the interest of future franchisees. We are now faced (due to today’s economic climate), with what seems like a much tougher task. Should we continue to look aggressively for investors or wait a while? How many potential investors are holding onto their money that much tighter…and might take a pass at this point…but might be more interested a year from now?

There’s two ways to look at it…ride out the storm and wait for calmer times before becoming more aggressive in seeking out franchisee’s and investors, or conversely, get very active in the market. The answer is actually fairly simple…we believe we should get aggressive, and get aggressive now. Why now? Because we still believe that being “first to market” is the key with this concept. There’s dozens of supper franchise’s out there that are all the rage, so let’s compare:

Just Jeff’s
Fresh With No Preservatives Meals
All Meals Ready In 8 Minutes!
No Pots and Plans to Clean
Buy as Much Or As Little As You Wish
No Appointment Necessary
In And Out Of The Store In 3 Minutes
Space Friendly Packaging
Tax Free
Free Delivery


Other Supper Franchises
Frozen With No Preservatives Meals
All Meals Ready In Up To 40 Minutes
Pots and Pans to Clean
Usually A Min of 1-2 Wks Worth of Meals
Have To Book Appt On Their Schedule
At Least 2 Hours Plus Travel Time
Bulky Containers
Add 13% Tax To Your Purchase
Delivery? I Don’t Think So…

With so many distinct differences between the two, we strongly feel that fresh well balanced no preservative meals will be commonplace in the next decade. Imagine someone today saying “I’m going to open a coffee/donut shop”….you’d laugh because you’d think Tim Horton’s has completely saturated the market. This is why I say “I’m going to open a “Fresh Meal Replacement/Catering Shop”…. Just Jeff’s is the only one that exists out there....First to Market!..... I hope to be the next Tim Horton!....(I even play hockey!) How many times have you heard someone say “I wish I bought a Tim Horton’s 10 years ago….”?

Home Meal Replacement is the largest growing food sector in the grocery business and with everyone more stressed for time than ever, it’s easy to see where the market is headed.

So wish us luck in the future, and if you know anyone who’s interested in a restaurant franchise, send them over to our Franchise Page for more detailed information. You’ll save them a lot of money, and we might just fill your fridge for finding us a franchisee! 

Keep Cookin’ On High….