Cherchies Blog

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Blackberry Champagne Salmon Recipe

entrees, glaze marinade & sauce, lunch, gluten freeSheri SpalloneComment
Blackberry Champagne Salmon Recipe

Blackberry Champagne Salmon Recipe

Originally posted in 2016 but with updated pictures! Our #1 requested recipe!

This salmon recipe is probably the most delicious salmon recipe I have ever made, salmon with a blackberry champagne mustard glaze. Awesome! 

I failed to mention this recipe is extremely easy. Just my speed, "easy and elegant".  The best part, my family LOVED it.  They didn't even need the "one bite rule" enforced.  

Ingredients

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking pan with parchment paper.  Sprinkle salmon with Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and pepper.  Divide the butter into Tablespoon (Tbsp) portions and place on salmon a few inches apart.  

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together Cherchies® Champagne Mustard and Cherchies® Blackberry Preserves until blended.  Slather the mixture over the salmon.  Bake the salmon in the oven for 20 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through (breaks apart easily with a fork).

Serve with your favorite salad.  Enjoy!

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Blackberry Champagne Salmon Recipe

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Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

entrees, lunch, gluten freeSheri SpalloneComment
Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

Prep time: 15 MINUTES

Cook time: 20 MINUTES

Difficulty: Easy 

Yields: 4 servings

Shrimp and grits always felt like one of those dishes best left to elegant restaurant menus — rich, comforting, and just fancy enough to seem like more trouble than it was worth to make at home.

Then one night I had a serious craving for a warm, smoky, cheesy bowl of shrimp and grits, but I couldn’t get my hands on it — not even in a restaurant.

So I did what I usually do when a craving will not quit: I went into the kitchen, looked at cookbooks, and figured it out. This Cajun-inspired version, featuring Cherchies® Cajun and Garlic Seasonings, has all the things I wanted in that moment — plump shrimp, savory sausage, bold flavor, and creamy cheddar grits — in a dish that feels special but comes together easily.

It is hearty, flavorful, and just indulgent enough to feel a little special. Whether you are making it for family dinner, serving it to guests, or simply in the mood for something warm and seriously satisfying, this one delivers.

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have made 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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Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, cooked and sliced

  • 1/2 to 3/4 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, fresh or frozen

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 1/2 cup yellow corn grits

  • 1/2 teaspoon Cherchies Garlic Seasoning

  • Pepper, to taste

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 4 teaspoons Cherchies® Cajun Seasoning, plus more to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 2 green onions, chopped

  • 2 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped, optional

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the sausage in a shallow baking pan and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Remove it from the oven, let it cool slightly, then slice it into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.

Prepare the grits in a medium saucepan by bringing the chicken broth to a boil. Whisk in the grits slowly, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Make the grits cheesy by stirring in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Cherchies Garlic Seasoning, and pepper once the grits have absorbed the liquid. Mix until smooth and creamy, then cover and remove from the heat.

Place the shrimp and sliced sausage in a large mixing bowl, add 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Olive oil, Cherchies® Cajun Seasoning,  smoked paprika, and toss until the shrimp is coated. In a small bowl, combine the water and corn starch and mix until smooth (This is called a slurry).

Heat the remaining 3 Tablespoons (Tbsp) of olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and sausage, stirring occasionally, until shrimp is pink and tender (about five minutes total). Add the cornstarch/water mixture (aka slurry) to the pan in the last minutes of cooking to allow the slurry to thicken. (**I did not use enough cornstarch when I first photographed the shrimp mixture, so I had to sprinkle more in. DO NOT add the cornstarch directly to the mixture, as it will clump and you will get white lumps in your dish. Take the extra time to make the slurry separately to make the dish correctly).

To assemble the shrimp and grits add a heaping serving of grits to bowls or plates, top with shrimp and sausage mixture, chopped green onions, and chopped bacon (optional).

**When I first made this recipe, I chopped up chives from my garden instead of the green onions.

Enjoy!

Tips

  • Frozen shrimp work just fine here — just thaw them before cooking.

  • Add a little extra Cherchies® Cajun Seasoning for more heat.

  • Chives are a great substitute for green onions.

  • Serve this right away while the grits are still hot and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits recipe is rich, cozy, and full of bold, savory flavor. Between the creamy cheddar grits, smoky sausage, and perfectly seasoned shrimp, it is the kind of meal that feels like a treat without being overly complicated.

Honestly, those are my favorite kinds of recipes — the ones that taste like something special, but still feel doable in your own kitchen.

This recipe is adapted from https://www.bobsredmill.com/ and https://www.maebells.com/shrimp-and-creamy-cheesy-grits/.

*Note- some recipes I have researched call for substituting milk for the broth. I have not tried milk, but this recipe is flexible and you can use whatever liquid you like.

Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe

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Peachy Chicken And Vegetable Kabobs Recipe

grilling, gluten free, lunch, entreesSheri SpalloneComment
Peachy Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs Recipe

Peachy Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs Recipe

Updated 2025.

How was your Memorial Day weekend? The weather was finally beautiful here in Pennsylvania, so we all opted to go outside, enjoy the weather, and have a backyard family BBQ. First on the menu was Peachy Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs.

Kabobs lend themselves to whatever protein and vegetables you have on hand, and for this holiday weekend, I made one of our family’s favorites, with a peachy twist. I added Cherchies Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa to the mix and hoped for the best. I often challenge my family’s palate by trying new recipes or tweaking some of their favorites. Luckily, my experiment worked, and my family devoured the kabobs.

If you are looking to tantalize your taste buds with a new sweet and spicy grilling recipe, look no further. The Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa mixed with soy sauce, garlic, hot sauce, and seasonings, elevates these kabobs from good to exceptional.

So, are you ready to tantalize your taste buds?

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

Follow us on social media: FacebookInstagram, and Pinterest.

Stay safe, stay well, and enjoy time with your family.

Ingredients

  • 2-3 Chicken breasts, cut into cubes (more for a crowd)

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) Cherchies Garlic Seasoning (Can substitute Cherchies Garlic'n Herbs No Salt Seasoning)

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) pepper

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce

  • 1/2 cup Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa

  • 1/4 cup hot sauce

  • 1/2 Pineapple cut into 1 inch chunks (scales removed and cored).

  • 1 red pepper, washed, seeded, and cut into 1 inch pieces

  • 1 yellow pepper, washed, seeded, and cut into 1 inch pieces

  • 1 small container Baby Bella Mushrooms, washed with stems removed and cut in half

  • 1 medium onion, diced into 1 inch pieces

  • Cooking spray

  • Skewers (soaked 30 minutes prior to cooking)

  • Additional 1/2 cup Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa for dipping (optional)

Preparation

In a small bowl, mix the garlic, soy sauce, Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa, and hot sauce. Cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces and place into a medium bowl. Season the chicken with Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and pepper. Mix. Add 2/3 of the marinade to the chicken. Mix thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours.

Wash and chop the vegetables and pineapple, and place in a shallow pan. Add the rest of the marinade and mix until completely covered. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours.

30 minutes prior to grilling, soak the skewers in a shallow casserole dish.

*Remove the marinated chicken and vegetables from the refrigerator. Save the marinade from the vegetables to use for basting the kabobs later. (If you want to use the marinade from the meat, make sure to boil the marinade until it reaches a temperature of at least 165 degrees. This way, any harmful bacteria will be removed). See FDA Guidelines.

Thread the chicken on separate skewers from the vegetables. (I find this works better with the different cook times of the chicken and vegetables). Next, alternate the peppers, onions, mushrooms, pineapple on different skewers in any arrangement you prefer.

Spray the grill with cooking spray, light the grill, and turn grill onto high for a few minutes. We use a gas grill, but you can easily grill these on a charcoal grill.

When you are ready to cook the skewers, turn the grill down to low.  Place chicken on grill and cook for a few minutes on each side.

After the chicken has cooked for a few minutes, add the vegetable/pineapple skewers to the grill, and cook for a few minutes on each side. I love adding pineapple to the vegetables because it adds so much flavor. If you've never had grilled pineapple, you're in for a real treat!  All the sugars in the pineapple come to life, for flavors that will make your taste buds tingle.

Baste the skewers with the leftover vegetable marinade as the kabobs cook.  *(See above guidelines for marinade safety). The chicken should no longer be pink on the inside and the vegetables should be tender crisp with grill marks.

Remove the kabobs from the grill and set aside on a platter for about five minutes. This allows the meat to rest and absorb all the juices.   Add Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa for dipping.

Serve with Aunt Ester’s Potato Salad and dinner is served! Enjoy.

Peachy Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs Recipe

Peachy Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs Recipe

peachy chicken kabobs recipe3-.jpg
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Chicken Marsala Recipe

entrees, gluten freeSheri SpalloneComment
Chicken Marsala Recipe

Chicken Marsala Recipe

Chicken Marsala Recipe

Originally posted in 2015, this recipe has been updated with new images and other enhancements.

Thank goodness my tastes have changed over the years, because I would have missed out on this delicious classic dish: Chicken Marsala, chicken braised in Marsala wine and smothered in savory mushrooms.  

Mushrooms were a no-no for me (by choice) when I was growing up, but now, they're a staple on my weekly grocery list. Luckily, our children are not as picky as I once was.  They actually like mushrooms.  Our children have grown up with the "One Bite Rule" (they have to try it, but they don't have to like it). Over the years, they have tried a variety of meals and textures, and I am happy to report that most of my creations have been hugely successful. 

Enjoy our version of Chicken Marsala, featuring tender chicken, savory mushrooms, Marsala wine, and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning.  This delicious recipe has become a family favorite in our home, and we hope it will become one in yours, too. 

Please comment below and let us know if you've made this recipe.

Thanks for stopping by:) Come back again for more family-tested recipesentertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

Follow us on social media: FacebookInstagram, and Pinterest.

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons butter, reserving 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.)

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil

  • 1 Lb. Boneless chicken, flattened to 1/2" thick

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbps.) Cherchies Garlic Seasoning (Cherchies Garlic and Herbs Seasoning could also be used)

  • Pepper to taste

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) rosemary

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbps.) Worcestershire Sauce

  • 1 Lb. Baby Bella Mushrooms, washed, sliced, stems removed

  • 1 lemon

  • 1 cup Marsala Wine

  • Chopped fresh parsley to garnish

Preparation

**Most Marsala recipes I researched, dredged the chicken in flour before frying in a pan. I have removed that step for this recipe to make a lighter version of this classic dish.

Are you ready to begin? Probably the most gratifying part is flattening the chicken. Talk about an aggression reliever.  

Put the chicken in a large plastic resealable bag, or place chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap. Now my secret weapon, a rolling pin! Pound away, my friend until the chicken is about 1/2" thick.

Ahhh, much better. Now sprinkle both sides with Cherchies Garlic Seasoning and pepper.

Turn the skillet onto medium/low heat and add 2 Tbsp. butter and olive oil (This keeps the butter from browning).  

Add chicken to skillet, and cook for five minutes, then turn onto the other side and continue cooking.  Once, chicken is lightly browned on both sides (chicken will finish cooking later), remove from pan and set aside on a plate.

 Add mushrooms, and allow to cook until tender (few minutes).  After a few minutes, add Rosemary, Thyme, and Worcestershire Sauce.

After mushrooms have cooked,  Add the Marsala wine to deglaze the pan.  Using a wooden spoon, scrape the pan to loosen up all that yummy goodness.

Almost done...Now cut the lemon in half, slicing one half of the lemon into slices.  These will be used to garnish your dish at the end.  Squeeze one half lemon into pan with mushrooms and stir.  The lemon juice adds a nice freshness to the dish.  Add the remaining butter and return the chicken to the pan, to continue cooking.  With a knife, cut a small slit into the chicken to make sure the chicken is no longer pink.  

Chop parsely.

Remove chicken from pan and place on a nice platter.  Spoon mushroom sauce over chicken, and garnish with remaining sliced lemons and parsley.  Dinner is Served!  Enjoy.

Chicken Marsala Recipe

Chicken Marsala Recipe

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