Cherchies Blog

appetizers

Tuna Pinwheel Recipe

appetizers, snacks, lunchSheri SpalloneComment
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My mom used to make these all the time when my sister and I were growing up.  This recipe was from an old Betty Crocker cookbook (remember those?)  She would bring these pinwheels to our neighborhood parties, and they disappeared quickly. It's funny how tuna salad, presented in these tasty buttery bites, could be addictive.  Of course, I took mom's recipe and tweaked it with a hint of Cherchies® Champagne Mustard and some with our Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard.

The true test was trying them on our children, our favorite "taster-testers" (their word for themselves as they were growing up).  They have come a long way in trying new things over the years, but tuna is not their favorite. I made these delicious morsels just in time for their after-school snack.   To my delight, they loved them; they were devoured in minutes, even the ones I brushed with our spicier Hot Banana Pepper Mustard!! 

This recipe would make the perfect tasty appetizer or afternoon snack, but save some for yourself because they will disappear quickly. 

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have made this tasty recipe. Return for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

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Ingredients 

  • 1 can (6 1/2 oz.) white tuna, drained and flaked

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery

  • 1 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) sweet pickle relish, drained

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) dry mustard

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies® Champagne Mustard (or for a spicier palate, try our Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard

  • 20 slices square sandwich bread, crusts removed

  • 4 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) melted butter

  • Paprika


Preparation   
Carefully remove the crusts from the bread with a knife.  In a medium bowl, combine the tuna with the remaining 5 ingredients.  

For easy clean-up, place a sheet of parchment paper over a baking sheet.  Line the slices of bread on the baking sheet.  Thinly brush each slice of bread with half of the melted butter, reserving the other half.  Spread each slice with tuna salad.  (This time, I spread a few slices with our Hot Banana Pepper Mustard to see how they would turn out).

Roll each slice like a jelly roll and place three toothpicks into the bread to secure. Slice each tuna roll into 3 pinwheels.  

When ready to serve, brush the pinwheels with the remaining melted butter, sprinkle lightly with paprika, and broil the pinwheels until lightly toasted.  Makes about 60 pinwheels.

Remove these delicious morsels from the oven and serve immediately.  Enjoy!

Yum

Fig and Herbed Brie Cups Recipe

appetizers, snacksSheri Spallone2 Comments
Fig and Herbed Brie Cups Recipe

Fig and Herbed Brie Cups Recipe

These savory fig cuties hit all the flavor notes in one tasty bite and are a breeze to make for any occasion.

The intense flavors of the savory garlic, tangy brie cheese, and sweet figs, make this a recipe one to cherish.  This recipe is perfect for those last minute holiday celebrations.  For a sweeter version of this recipe, check out our Hot Pepper Jam and Brie Cups Recipe.  Or, live on the edge and bring both;)

Ingredients

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Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Remove rind from brie and cut into chunks (about 1 teaspoon).  This is an old picture.  Obviously I did not remove the rind.  Some prefer the rind left in tact, while others do not. Your choice.

Place phyllo cups on a baking tray and add a Brie chunk to each cup.  Sprinkle each of the cups with a small amount of Cherchies® Garlic & Herb No-Salt Seasoning Blend.  Add about 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) Fig Preserves.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes, or until brie just begins to melt.  

Remove from oven and serve warm or room temperature.  Garnish with a little thyme and help yourself!

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Fig Prosciutto Goat Cheese Crostini Recipe

lunch, snacks, appetizersSheri Spallone2 Comments
fig prosciutto long.jpg

Cook Time:  10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Figs, take two!  It is fig season and my obsession continues.  This quick and easy mouth-watering recipe hits all the flavor notes, it comes together in minutes, and is perfect for any occasion.

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Figs, yes, please! It is fig season, and this quick and easy mouth-watering recipe hits all the flavor notes; it comes together in minutes and is perfect for any occasion.

Thank you to my friends Nancy, who gave me this fabulous recipe idea, and Colleen, who gave me additional cheese pairing ideas! When I mentioned our new Fig Preserves, both responded, "Oh, I love figs!". Nancy shared a recipe she recently had for lunch, which included figs, goat cheese, and prosciutto over toasted crostini. I added a rosemary balsamic reduction to the mix, and OMG, talk about a party flavor in your mouth! 

This recipe would be perfect as a light lunch, afternoon snack, or an elegant party appetizer, assembled as pictured or artfully arranged on a cheese plate with meats, cheeses, mustards, fruits, etc. See "How To Create Create a Cheese Plate." The sweetness of the Fig Preserves, the tang of the goat cheese, the saltiness of the prosciutto, and the flavor burst from the balsamic reduction will send your taste buds into overload. This recipe is easy and elegant and a must for your recipe collection!  

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have used any of these hacks or if you have some to add. Come back again for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Ingredients (per crostini)

  • Italian bread or baguette, sliced diagonally 

  • 1 large log of goat cheese (could substitute Blue Cheese for a more intense flavor.  Thank you, Colleen)

  • Cherchies® Fig Preserves

  • Slices of prosciutto (1/2 lb., depending on how many making)

  • 1 small clove of garlic, peeled

  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) fresh Rosemary, finely chopped

Preparation  
In a small saucepan, simmer the balsamic vinegar and rosemary on low until they reduce to a syrup consistency (about 10 minutes). Set aside to cool briefly. Pour the reduction through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl to remove the rosemary pieces.

Toast the bread.  Since I was making this for myself as a snack, I toasted two slices of bread in a toaster.  If this recipe is to be shared with a crowd, then place the bread slices on a tray and cook in a 350 degree oven until bread is lightly toasted.  Once the bread is lightly toasted, remove from the oven or toaster and gently rub the top of each slice with the clove of garlic.

Now it is time to assemble these delicious gourmet treats.  For a crowd, consider assembling right before your guests arrive.  Depending on the size of the toast, spread the toasts each with about 1 teaspoon (tsp) of goat cheese, then about 1 teaspoon (tsp) of Fig Preserves, and then loosely place one or two slices of prosciutto on top.  There's no need to measure.  

Right before serving, drizzle the crostini with the balsamic reduction or leave on a tray for guests to help themselves.  Easy peazy and absolutely tasty!  Enjoy!

Yum

Pretty Pepper Hummus Recipe

appetizers, snacksSheri SpalloneComment

Pretty Pepper Hummus Recipe

Cook Time:  5 minutes  
Difficulty:  Easy

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There's something seriously satisfying about making things from scratch, especially when it's easy and you can control the ingredients. Take, for example, hummus; why buy it when you can make it homemade? Add the ingredients to a food processor or blender, and in minutes, you have a delicious homemade healthy snack or spread.

It's kind of a funny story how this recipe came to be. I love those "aha!" moments. Our daughter had been on a hummus kick and came home from school craving hummus, funny kid! My initial thought was, "What did you do with my once picky daughter?" Of course, I didn't have hummus on hand to meet the needs of a hungry teenager, but I remembered a can of chickpeas and a jar of tahini tucked away in my pantry for when I wanted to make hummus someday;) Then it dawned on me I had a jar of our Pretty Peppers in my pantry. Aha! Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, our favorite! Why didn't I think of this before? I researched various hummus recipes from my cookbooks (yes, I still use cookbooks) and came up with this delicious recipe. My daughter was thrilled and gave it a thumbs up!

So, if you're looking for a fabulous tasty, creamy hummus recipe, grab a jar of our Pretty Peppers (one of our original products from 1980) and make this recipe today! It is the perfect dip for vegetables, crackers, or as a spread on sandwiches and delicious addition to charcuterie platters. You won't be disappointed:)

Comment below and let us know if you tried this easy recipe. Thank you for visiting. Please come back again.

Ingredients

Preparation
Add all the ingredients, except the Pretty Peppers to a food processor or blender and mix until the hummus is smooth. Next, add the Pretty Peppers to the food processor and pulse a couple of times in order to obtain small bits.  If you like your hummus without bits, run the food processor or blender for a couple of minutes until hummus is completely smooth.  

Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and garnish with some Pretty Peppers and chopped parsley.  Serve with vegetables, crackers, or crostini, or spread on sandwiches in lieu of mayonnaise.  Enjoy!

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