Cherchies Blog

entrees

Crockpot Coq Au Vin Recipe

entrees, lunchSheri SpalloneComment
Crockpot Coq Au Vin Recipe

Crockpot Coq Au Vin Recipe

Cook Time: 4+ hours
Prep Time:  30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Serves: 4-6

Oooh, La La!  Today, I am sharing one of my favorite slow cooker “Frenchy” dishes, Coq Au Vin, which translates to chicken with wine. Every time I make this rich stew, I seriously want to lick the bowl clean it is that good. This flavorful stew with its wine-infused broth and layers of tender chicken, salty bacon, vegetables, and savory herbs, will soon become a family favorite.

Although there are several steps in the beginning to this delicious meal, have no fear, it is well worth the effort, as those steps impart the intense layers of flavor, characteristic of this dish. And because this dish is slow cooked to perfection, you prepare the ingredients and walk away until dinner it is cooked hours later, which makes it an ideal meal for busy families, guests, or anytime you need a break in the kitchen.

So what are you waiting on? You need to make this deliciously hearty stew tonight. You will not be disappointed! Make sure to grab some crusty bread to sop up the glorious juices of this amazing dish.

Comment below and let us know how you liked it!

Bon Appetit! (Frenchy for Enjoy Your Meal)

Ingredients (This recipe is adapted from Williams- Sonoma)

  • 1 bottle (750ml) Pinot Noir

  • 5 fresh parsley sprigs, plus 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) chopped parsley for garnish (you can use either flat-leaf or curly)

  • 3 fresh thyme sprigs

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1/2 leek (cut lengthwise- cut top dark greens and bottom off and rinse under cold water to remove dirt)

  • 3 1/4lb. chicken parts (breasts, thighs, and legs)- Many grocery stores have value packs

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning

  • 2 teaspoons (tsp) ground pepper

  • 1 lb. button mushrooms (we tested with Baby Bella Mushrooms)

  • 3/4 lb. shallots halved

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) unsalted butter

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) tomato paste

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Champagne Mustard

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) all-purpose flour

  •  1 3/4 cups chicken broth

  • 3/4 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • kitchen twine


Preparation  
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, boil the wine until reduced by half, about 15 minutes.  

Peel and chop the vegetables as directed above. Place the parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf against the cut side of the halved leek and tie with kitchen twine.  (The fancy word is bouquet-garni which means a bundle of herbs).  (You may notice the picture is missing a leek. I asked hubby to pick one up when he came home, but he brought home fennel instead;) Set the vegetables and herbs aside.

In a large skillet on medium heat, add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off the grease. 

Remove all but 2 (Tablespoons) Tbsp. of the grease from the pan. Season the chicken with Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and pepper.  Increase the heat to medium-high, and working in batches, brown the chicken, turning once (4 to 5 minutes on each side). Remove and transfer to a slow cooker. Top with carrot pieces.

To the same skillet, add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove vegetables from pan and transfer to slow cooker. Spoon over chicken.

Again, using the same skillet, melt the butter in the skillet.  Add the garlic, tomato paste, Cherchies®Champagne Mustard and flour, and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Whisk in the reduced wine and the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the bacon, and bouquet garni to the slow-cooker.  Set the cooker on the high setting, cover and cook until the chicken is fork-tender, about 4-5 hours.

When the chicken is tender, discard the bouquet garni and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.  Garnish with the chopped parsley and serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6. Serve with crusty bread to sop up the juices and Cherry Apple Tart Recipe for a complete meal.

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Enjoy!

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Lemon Tomato Basil Cod Recipe

entrees, lunchSheri SpalloneComment
Lemon Tomato Basil Cod Recipe

Lemon Tomato Basil Cod Recipe

Cooking Time:  25 Minutes
Difficulty:  Easy

Happy Summer everyone!  For those who grow vegetables in the Summer, your tomatoes may be about ready for harvest!  If so, why not make the best of Summer's bounty with this easy, flavorful cod recipe, bursting with juicy, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and smothered in a delicate, lemony basil sauce.  Delicious!

Summer calls for lazier days and easier menus with fresh, flavorful ingredients.  This recipe (adapted from bakerbynature.com) featuring Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz, is a recipe we're sure your entire family will love.  It is also perfect for summer entertaining!

Share a photo of your finished product on Instagram or Facebook, and let us know your thoughts below!   Thank you for stopping by!

Ingredients  
Adapted from Baker by Nature

For the White Wine Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 large cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 pint multi-colored (red, yellow, orange) cherry tomatoes (red cherry tomatoes perfectly fine if can't find), sliced in half
  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) fresh lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies Basil Pizzazz
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) butter

For the fish

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) olive oil
  • 1 and a 1/2 pounds fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets
  • Cherchies Garlic Seasoning and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped (for garnish)

Preparation

For the Sauce:

In a large pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and garlic and saute for 1 minute.  Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 9 to 12 minutes.  Tomatoes should be soft, but still should retain their shape.  Add in the white wine, stir, and allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Stir in Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz, lemon juice, lemon zest, and butter, and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer the sauce and tomatoes into a bowl and set aside temporarily.

For the Fish:

Using the same pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Season both sides of cod with Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and pepper. Place cod in the oil and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Carefully turn the cod over and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, or until it's cooked through.  Add in the tomatoes and the sauce to the pan and heat for a minute with the cod.

Serve the cod immediately and pour the sauce over the fish.  Garnish with chopped basil and lemon wedges for a beautiful presentation.  Serve this recipe with our Strawberry Spinach Salad and sop up the sauce with The Best Darn Garlic Bread Recipe.

Enjoy!

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Mexican Stuffed Shells Recipe

entreesSheri SpalloneComment
Mexican Stuffed Shells Recipe

Mexican Stuffed Shells Recipe

Raise your hand if Mexican food is one of your favorite ethnic dishes!  How about Italian food?!  I was torn last week on what to make for dinner, so I combined our family's two favorites (Italian and Mexican) and created these mouth-watering, Mexican-inspired stuffed shells.  

As you know, traditional stuffed shells are filled with Italian cheeses and meat and are lovingly bathed in a savory marinara sauce.  For this zestier version, we stuffed taco meat (seasoned with Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend), black beans, green chilies, and cheese into jumbo pasta shells, and steeped them in salsa for a meal bursting with Mexican flavors.

Add a twist to Taco Tuesday by creating this easy, Mexican dish full of zippy flavor, and serve a meal your family is going to love!  

You may want to make a second batch to freeze for later!

Comment below to let us know how you liked the recipe.

Thank you again for visiting!

Ingredients  

  • 1 yellow (sweet) onion, diced

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) olive oil

  • 1 pound (lb) ground turkey or beef

  • 3 generous Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Minor's Beef Base, dissolved in 1/4 cup of water (could substitute 1 beef bouillon cube dissolved in 1/4 cup water or 1/4 cup prepared beef broth)

  • 2 cups of your favorite salsa or pico de gayo, divided in half (Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa or Cherchies®Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa are our favorites)

  • 1 can diced green chilies, drained

  • 1 15.5 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1/2 cup shredded Mexican Cheese blend, plus another cup for topping

  • Jumbo Pasta Shells (enough to fit in 8x 11 baking dish), cooked according to package directions, 5 minutes under cooking time.

  • 1/4 cup Taco sauce (found in the ethnic aisle of the grocery store)

  • small can sliced black olives, drained

  • 4 green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)

Preparation  
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large skillet, sauté onion in olive oil on medium-low heat until translucent.  After the onion has cooked, add ground meat, Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend, and beef base or bouillon mixed in water.

Turn heat to low and simmer meat until no longer pink.  While meat is cooking, cook pasta according to package directions minus 6 minutes, and drain and set aside.  (Shells are easier to fill when they are al dente, plus they won't get mushy when cooked in the oven).

As meat finishes cooking, add Cherchies® Pretty Hot Peppers, 1 cup of salsa/pico de gayo, and the can of black beans to the mixture, stir, and cook for a few more minutes.  Next, add 1/2 cup shredded cheese to the meat mixture and stir until melted.  Turn off heat and allow the meat to cool for ten minutes.  (This will make filling the shells easier).  

To a 9x13 baking dish, add the other cup of salsa/pica de gayo, and spread evenly in the pan.  After meat and shells have cooled slightly, hold individual shells in hand and fill shells with meat mixture and carefully place in baking dish.

Drizzle Taco sauce over shells, then sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over shells.  Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

Garnish with chopped green onions and olives (optional) and serve!

Enjoy!

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Sweet and Spicy Asian Meatballs Recipe

entrees, appetizers, glaze marinade & sauceSheri SpalloneComment
Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs Recipe

Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs Recipe

Prep Time:  15 minutes
Cook Time:  30 minutes
Difficulty:  Easy

There is something so darn comforting and fun about meatballs. The quaint little globes are easy to make, and the flavor combinations are unlimited. Serve them with your favorite sauce over noodles or rice, pile them into sandwiches, or serve them as tasty appetizers with toothpicks. A versatile little ball, indeed! So let's talk meatballs, friends, particularly these Sweet and Spicy Asian Meatballs featuring Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning Blend, sriracha, and ginger. 

I usually make these meatballs and freeze them to be later used as an appetizer for guests, but I needed a quick and easy meal for my family one night and served them over rice with this flavorful sauce. Our Cranberry Spinach Salad and Best Darn Garlic Bread accompanied this dish; as suspected, dinner was a hit.

Everyone loves meatballs, so get the "ball rolling," grab some Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, Apricot Preserves, and spices, and make these delicious sweet and spicy meatballs today!  Your family will ask for seconds.  

Comment below if you have made this recipe. Thank you for visiting! Please return for more family-tested recipesentertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

CHERCHIES® GARLIC SEASONING

“Best seasoning ever..good for cooking and making dips..will always have in my pantry..a must have…”

“My go-to seasoning for veggies & meat. I keep it on hand at all times.”

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb ground turkey, chicken, or pork

  • 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs

  • 1 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) tsp black pepper

  • 4 green onions chopped

  • 1 egg

  • 2 tbsp Sriracha sauce

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) freshly grated ginger

  • Cooked Rice (optional- to serve over)

For Sweet and Spicy Glaze

  • Drippings from meatballs

  • 1 jar (10 oz.) Apricot Preserves

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp Sriracha sauce

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) cornstarch

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) rice vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) sesame oil

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) chopped green onions- green part (scallions) only (optional for garnish)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, spray with cooking spray, and set aside.

In a large bowl, add the meatball ingredients and mix with your hands to combine.   Do not over mix the meat.  Use a 1 1/2" ice cream scoop to measure out perfectly-sized meatballs and place on the greased baking sheet.

Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until meatballs are golden brown.

While the meatballs are cooking, add the sauce ingredients to a small sauce pan.  Whisk to combine.  Turn the stove on low and cook the ingredients, whisking occasionally, until smooth.  Turn off heat.  With a slotted spoon, remove meatballs from baking pan and transfer to a large skillet.  Add the pan drippings from the meatballs, and the sauce to the skillet.  Turn the skillet on low and cook for a couple of minutes, or until heated through.

Serve the meatballs over cooked rice for a meal, or use with toothpicks as an appetizer.  Garnish with chopped scallions.

Enjoy!

Sweet and Spicy Asian Meatballs Recipe

Sweet and Spicy Asian Meatballs Recipe

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