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Tex-Mex French Bread Pizza Recipe

entrees, leftovers, lunchSheri SpalloneComment
Tex-Mex French Bread Pizza Recipe

Tex-Mex French Bread Pizza Recipe

Cook Time:  10-15 minutes

Difficulty:  Extremely Easy!

I know there are some leftover haters out there. It's okay...I confess, I used to be one of them! Growing up, I did not understand the concept of eating a meal twice in a row, so as you can imagine, our dog was well-fed...sorry Mom if you're reading this...now you know;) Also, when it came to leftovers and wasting food, another thing I did not understand, my mom would often refer to a money tree growing in the backyard...except I never saw one!  Crazy parents! :)

As a mom of three, I totally get the concept of leftovers, saving money, wasting less, and of course, the money tree. (I have been known to tease our teenage children occasionally...they look at me like I am crazy...crazy kids).  

I see leftovers as a creative challenge to create new masterpieces, to save money, and to waste less. Amen!  For this round of leftovers, I made Tex-Mex French Bread Pizzas, using leftover chicken, sweet and robust Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa, savory Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning Blend, and of course French Bread and gooey cheese!  Sounds dreamy, right? These pizzas hit all the flavor notes and were devoured in minutes!

If you have not added French Bread Pizzas to your recipe cache, you need to do so, and this Tex-Mex version will quickly become a family favorite!  Your pizzas will disappear and so will your leftovers! The money tree?  Not so much!

What is your favorite French Bread Pizza Recipe?  We would love to hear from you!  Thank you for stopping by:)

Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Slice a baguette or Italian bread in half vertically.  Place bread halves on a baking sheet.  Spread each slice with a generous amount of spaghetti or pizza sauce (maybe 1 cup?  It all depends on the size of the bread).  Sprinkle the diced chicken or turkey over the bread halves.

Next, add the Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa over the chicken.  Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning (or to taste).  Of course, what pizza wouldn't be complete without the cheese?  Add the cheese to you heart's delight...add some more...you decide, it's ok!

If you're wondering about the brown stuff in the first picture, it's taco meat.  I also had leftover taco meat I added to one half of the pizza (a previous pizza night:)  Plop the pizzas into the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until pizza is golden brown and the cheese is melty.  Slice into individual portions and enjoy!

Tex-Mex French Bread Pizza Recipe

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The Real Deal "Shepherd's Pie" Recipe

entreesSheri SpalloneComment
The "Real Deal" Shepherd's Pie Recipe

The "Real Deal" Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends! What better way to celebrate the day than to share this lovely Shepherd's Pie recipe? I have been waiting to post this recipe, and today could not be more perfect for paying homage to Ireland and our new Irish friend.

Did you know? Traditional Shepherd's Pie consists of Lamb, and according to our Irish friend, "Cottage Pie" is the correct name for the ground beef version we know in the United States. And apparently, "we do everything backward in the United States" (a little Irish joke).

My new love for Ireland and St. Patrick's Day blossomed last summer when I first traveled to this beautiful, peaceful country to celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss with my dear hubby;). We had the most fantastic time. We toured Southern Ireland, enjoyed new foods, learned about the country's traditions, and laughed until we cried with our new funny friend, Dave, from Dove Chauffer Drive. (He's "a bit of a leprechaun," as he will tell you himself). He's witty and a wisecracker but a lovely new friend and an excellent tour guide. Consider looking him up if you travel to Ireland. He had a lot of funny quotes and stories, and he proudly shared his recipe for Shepherd's Pie and permitted me to add my Cherchies® touches.

Dave, I hope I did your recipe justice! Friends, this recipe is the real deal if you want to make an authentic, savory Irish Shepherd's Pie! It will become one of your favorite dishes you can enjoy anytime.

Comment below and let us know your thoughts on this delicious Irish recipe.

Thanks for stopping by, and we hope you visit again!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground lamb or ground beef

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Minor's Beef Base

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) Worcestershire Sauce

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Champagne Mustard

  • 2 teaspoons (tsp) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) pepper

  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) of diced tomatoes

  • 1 large carrot, finely sliced

  • 1 cup frozen peas

  • 2 teaspoons (tsp) Cherchies Basil Pizzazz

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) Marjoram

  • 1 Bay leaf

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) Thyme

  • 6-8 potatoes, peeled, boiled, and mashed

  • 4 Tablespoons (Tbsp) salted butter

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Half and half or milk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Wash and peel the potatoes.  Boil the potatoes until thoroughly cooked (prick with a fork to check if done). While potatoes are cooking, dice the onion and slice the carrots.  In a medium skillet, cook the onion in oil until onions are translucent.  Add the ground meat, 1 teaspoon Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, pepper, and beef base to the skillet.  Stir.

When the meat is brown, drain the meat. Return the meat to the skillet and add the canned tomatoes, Worcestershire Sauce, Cherchies® Champagne Mustard, water, the rest of the Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz, Marjoram, Thyme, bay leaf, carrots, and peas.  Simmer for ten minutes or until carrots are cooked. 

While the meat is cooking, prepare the potatoes.  Drain the potatoes.  Add butter to the pan and mash the potatoes with a fork.  I usually use a hand mixer to do the rest of the mixing.  Add the milk, a little at a time, until the potatoes have a thick consistency.  Set aside.

Pour cooked meat and vegetables into a small casserole dish.  Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat and vegetables.  Place the Shepherd's Pie in the oven and cook until potatoes are a lovely golden brown. 

Enjoy!

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Tex-Mex Burger Recipe

grilling, entrees, lunch, partiesSheri SpalloneComment
Tex-Mex Burger Recipe

Tex-Mex Burger Recipe

Burger lovers, be prepared to be blown away! This Tex-Mex burger recipe is a force to be reckoned with. It hits all the flavor notes: sweet, spicy, and smoky, all wrapped up in one lip-smacking package!

Sparked by a leftover jar of our delectable Black Bean and Corn Salsa, I created a burger recipe that would leave our taste buds in awe. And boy, did it deliver! This burger was a hit with our family, leaving us all craving more. Can you almost taste it? 

Don't underestimate the power of freshly ground meat in this burger. It's a game-changer. A few years ago, our friends introduced us to the world of homemade ground meat, and it revolutionized our burgers. This step is crucial whether you ask your butcher or grind it at home. We invested in a food grinder attachment for our mixer, but there are other options available if you don't have one.  

Seriously consider adding this palate-tantalizing recipe to your favorites. You will not be disappointed, and your family will thank you! These would also make rockin' sliders for your Game Day menu, everything the same, except smaller. 

For a complete meal, serve these burgers with our Cilantro Lime Corn on the Cob, Herbed Sweet Potato Fries, and Best Darn Coleslaw. 

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

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Ingredients

Preparation

Using a food processor, mix the mayonnaise with one chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. Set aside.

If grinding your own meat, cut the meat into 1-inch strips or pieces.  Grind the meat with a meat grinder into a large bowl (you can certainly use store-bought ground meat).  Add the egg, Cherchies® Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend, and Worcestershire sauce to the meat.  Mix until just incorporated (meat tends to toughen up the more it is handled).  Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (more if you would like smaller burgers).    

Lightly oil the grill with cooking spray or oil.  Turn the grill onto high, then low after a few minutes. Make an indent in the center of the burgers.  This allows the burger to cook evenly.

Grill burgers for about 4-6 minutes on each side, depending on your "pink preference".  Add the cheese to the burgers the last couple of minutes of cooking.  Lightly toast the rolls either for a few minutes on the grill or broil for a few minutes in the oven.  

Now the fun part, building this beautiful tasty burger!  Arrange the rolls on a tray or plate.  Spread about 1 Tablespoon of the chipotle mayo mixture onto one roll half.  

Next add the Chardonnay Guacamole to the other half to the other half, followed by a slice of onion.

Add the lettuce to the aioli half and the burger to the guacamole half, and dollop the burger with about 1 Tablespoon of Cherchies Black Bean & Corn Salsa.  Place the lettuce half over the burger, pierce the burger with a large pick, and wait for it...

A juicy, mind-blowing, flavorful, Tex-Mex burger!   Grab some napkins and enjoy!

Tex-Mex Burger Recipe

Yum!

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Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe

entrees, leftovers, lunch, side dishesSheri SpalloneComment

Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Difficulty:  Easy

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My favorite part about Thanksgiving and the holidays is spending precious moments with family and friends, but my second favorite?  The leftovers!

Leftovers are kind of my thing!  For years, I have prided myself on transforming last night's dinner into tonight's masterpiece, a skill that most likely developed from having picky eaters at the dinner table and not wanting to waste food.

For this recipe, I used leftover Thanksgiving turkey and sweet potatoes, our NEW Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa, cheese, a sprinkle of this and a dollop of that and voila, a fabulous stuffed sweet potato emerged, bursting with sweet and tangy Southwestern goodness. 

This recipe is the "bomb" (Sorry, dating myself), it's healthy, it's full of flavor, it's the perfect quick and easy meal, and It's a recipe you need to add to your favorites now!  Serve these potatoes with our Homemade Applesauce and a salad for a complete meal!  

What's your favorite use of Thanksgiving leftovers?  We would love to hear from you!

Ingredients  

Preparation  

Chop the cooked turkey or chicken and set aside.  Rinse, wash, and pat dry the sweet potatoes.  Keeping the skin on, prick each potato several times with a fork.  Wrap each potato in a paper towel and Microwave until potatoes are soft to the touch.  You may certainly bake the potatoes in a 350 degree oven until the potatoes are soft to the touch (usually about a half hour), but I cheated and used the microwave:)

Once the potatoes are soft, it's time to assemble.   With a sharp knife, cut a slit into each potato and gently pry open.  Use a fork to loosen some of the sweet potato.   Sprinkle each potato with about 1/4 teaspoon (tsp) of Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning Blend.

Turn the oven onto Broil.   Place 1/2 cup of the turkey or chicken in each potato and mix slightly.  Next add 1/4 cup of Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa to the potato, then sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese over the potato.  Sprinkle an additional Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning Blend over each potato.  

Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and broil on high until the cheese has melted (about 10 minutes).   And here you go, easy, cheesy, healthy, robust, Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes!  Enjoy!

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