Blue Cheese Wedge Salad Recipe

Bleu Cheese Wedge Salad Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Serves 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Have you ever tried a recipe out of pure curiosity? The wedge salad, for example, an unassuming iceberg lettuce salad (that graced menus in the '50s and '60s), has made a resurgence on menus of fancy restaurants and steak houses EVERYWHERE. Why? I had to see what all the buzz was about for myself.

So why the popularity? One, it is easy to make. Ok, I get it. Honestly, the thought of eating a majestic cliff of iceberg lettuce instead of my preferred mixed greens or spinach seemed less than appealing, and you can imagine my hesitation.

Now, here is where the magic begins. Add to the iceberg mountain awaiting fresh juicy tomatoes, sweet tender shallots, crispy salty bacon (hello), clouds of tangy blue cheese, and drizzle it with a creamy homemade blue cheese dressing. Now, we're talking about a whole different taste sensation. The crispness of the salad melded together with the savory ingredients is a flavor party ready to explode in your mouth! Wow, was I surprised! I loved it!

If your curiosity is piqued and you have not tried this iconic salad, it is worth tantalizing your taste buds.  It makes for the perfect meal or hearty side dish. It is refreshing, colorful, and easy to make, the perfect blend of deliciousness. The homemade bleu cheese dressing (everything in moderation), made with Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Cherchies® Champagne Mustard, is the pièce de résistance of this dish. What are you waiting for?

Comment below and let us know if you made this majestic salad. We would love to hear from you!

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

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Salad Ingredients

• Iceberg lettuce washed and cut into fourths

• 8 slices of bacon, cooked and coarsely chopped

• Tomatoes, coarsely chopped (could use halved cherry tomatoes)

• 1 shallot, finely chopped

• Blue Cheese, crumbled

• Blue Cheese Dressing (below)

• Dash of Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning

• Dash of ground pepper

• Chives, chopped (optional for garnish)

Blue Cheese Dressing (can be made ahead)

• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup buttermilk* (or 1/2 cup half and half + 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.) white vinegar)

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) pepper

• 2 oz. good blue cheese, crumbled

• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.) Cherchies® Champagne Mustard

Preparation

Prepare the salad dressing by combining all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside. (This dressing can be made at least a day ahead, as the flavors tend to marry if made in advance).

Chop the cooked bacon, tomatoes, shallot, and chives (optional) for the salad and set aside.

Rinse the lettuce in cool water and remove any outer leaves as necessary. With a sharp knife, cut the lettuce in half, then half again to create four halves. Arrange on individual plates or a platter. (For a fun party idea, make mini wedges for guests, cut them into smaller halves, and arrange them on a platter).

Sprinkle a dash of Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and ground pepper (to taste) on the lettuce wedges. Next, add the salad dressing, tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese, shallots, and chives (optional) for garnish.

Serve and enjoy!

The Best Cowboy Caviar Recipe

The Best Cowboy Caviar Dip Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Serves a crowd

Difficulty: Easy

Hello friends. How are you doing? We all are finally beginning to return to some sense of normalcy, and more of us are seeing family and friends, entertaining, and it feels nice. I have been wanting to post this delicious Cowboy Caviar dip recipe for some time, but it seemed unbefitting writing about entertaining and parties when most of us were hunkering down at home. Times are changing.

This tasty dip (featuring Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro) is extremely easy to make, and it will surely become your favorite go-to dip for summer entertaining, for game day, or just about any occasion. It is fabulous as a quick dip, but versatile enough to use as a topping for tacos, over grilled fish or chicken as a nice punch of freshness, and so much more! 

I first learned of Cowboy Caviar (or Texas Caviar) Recipe many years ago from The Rachel Ray Show (thank you, Rachael). The intriguing part about this dip is that it uses frozen corn, so by the time your guests arrive, this corn has been defrosted and the dip is chilled to perfection and ready to serve with your favorite chips. The Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning Blend takes the flavors in this dish over the top. This recipe feeds a crowd, so depending on the size of your gathering, you can add more beans, tomatoes, and corn. Just adjust the vinegar and oil accordingly.

So the next time you are looking for a new, easy, flavorful dip recipe to serve your guests this summer, look no further and make this tasty black bean and corn dip. Your guests will love it and may even ask you for the recipe.

Thank you for visiting and please come back and visit. Please comment below if you made this recipe. We love hearing from you!  

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn

• 1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed

• 1 15 oz. can petite diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed (can substitute fresh chopped tomatoes)

• 1 small red onion, finely diced (can substitute diced green onions (white and green part)

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 1/2 cup white vinegar (or a combination of white and red vinegar)

• 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning (more to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) ground black pepper

• 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Can be made a day ahead and chilled in the refrigerator. (*This recipe is better if made the day before, as it allows the flavors to marry and intensify). If need in a hurry, leave on the counter an hour before guests arrive to defrost the corn).

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!

Chili Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Chili Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Are you a leftover lover or hater? I love turning today's leftovers into tomorrow's masterpiece, and stuffed peppers are the perfect masquerade for leftover meat, veggies, rice, chili, and so much more.  For this recipe, we used leftover chili, seasoned with Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend and Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa (or Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa).  

Make the chili one night and use the leftover chili in these stuffed peppers for round two later in the week.  Not only is this recipe a creative way to use up leftovers, but it is also the perfect dish to hide those unsuspecting vegetables from any picky eaters, and dinner on those busy nights is ready in about 30 minutes. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Enjoy!

Comment below and let us know if you made these delicious stuffed peppers.  As always, thank you for visiting, and please come back again!

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)

• 1 jar of Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa or Cherchies®Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa 

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

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

• Assorted large peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange), washed, sliced, and deseeded

• 4 green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)

• Chopped cilantro (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 until the meat is no longer pink. While meat is cooking, prepare the peppers. Wash, slice in half, and remove the seeds from the peppers.  Place the peppers on a lightly greased or parchment paper-lined baking sheet and set aside. (If peppers wobble to one side, roll up a little aluminum foil and place near peppers to stabilize while cooking. This also prevents the filling from spilling out).

As meat finishes cooking, add Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa or Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa, 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 the heat and allow the meat to cool for ten minutes. (This will make filling the peppers easier).

After the meat has cooled slightly, carefully fill the peppers shells with the chili and return to the baking pan.  Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over peppers.  Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Garnish with chopped green onions and/or chopped cilantro (optional), and serve!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Recipe Roundup- 31 Creative Uses for Leftovers

Recipe Roundup- 31 Creative Uses for Leftovers

So how are you feeling today? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with the current situation? You are not alone. Everything we know and enjoy has turned upside down, but we will get through this. Even the way we cook has changed with limited ingredients and eating at home every day. Leftovers are becoming the norm to stretch the budget and limit trips to the grocery store.

Along with the increased pressures of how to survive our new daily routines, planning meals should not add to that stress. We have gathered up some of our favorite leftover recipes to bring you perhaps a sense of order and calm.

These recipes are perfect when choices are limited, and they are flexible and easily adaptive to stretch whatever is available in your pantry and refrigerator.

Please comment below and share the creative ways in which you use leftovers. We would love to hear from you. Stay safe and well, friends!

Leftover Poultry

Italian Dishes

Chicken Pasta Recipe- An easy pasta dish featuring chicken, broccoli, pasta, and Cherchies® Lem’n Dill Seasoning.

Chicken Caprese Pasta Recipe- Easy and refreshing, featuring chicken, tomatoes, pasta, mozzarella cheese, and Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz Seasoning.

Champagne Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe- Perfectly comforting featuring chicken, mushrooms, Cherchies® Champagne Mustard, Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, and Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend.

Leftover Poultry (Substitute any meat you have on hand)

Asian Dishes

Kathy's Thai Chicken Recipe- featuring chicken, onions, Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning and Cherchies® Garlic 'n Herb No-Salt Seasoning.

Champagne Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe- Featuring chicken, coleslaw mix or cabbage and Cherchies® Champagne Mustard.

Peachy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe- Who needs take out when you can make this chicken dish featuring Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa.

Leftover Poultry

Mexican

Leftover Sassy Chicken Tostada Recipe- Switch up Taco Night and pile on the fixings. This recipe features Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning and Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole- A unique Mexican dish featuring Cherchies® Lem’n Pepper Spicy Blend Seasoning.

Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe- Featuring Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning and Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa.

Tex-Mex French Bread Pizza Recipe- Quick and easy! This recipe features Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa and Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning Blend.

Leftover Poultry

American

Blackberry Chicken Flatbread Recipe- Perfect for an appetizer or light lunch featuring Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Cherchies® Champagne Mustard.

Blooming Tomato With Chicken Salad Recipe- Refreshing and tasty featuring Cherchies® Champagne Mustard.

Chicken Salad Pie Recipe- This delicious recipe comes from Sherry Pfaender from St. Charles, MO, formerly Miss Aimee B's Tea Room. Sherry says that the secret ingredient is Cherchies® Champagne Mustard - "it just doesn't come out the same without it!"

Leftover Poultry

American Classic

Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup- Perfect for leftover ham and chicken, Cherchies® Champagne Mustard, and Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz.

Cobb Salad With Brown Derby Dressing Recipe- This famous salad originated in Hollywood, back in the 1920's, and features Cherchies® Champagne Mustard.

Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe- Easy, delicious and comforting, featuring Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Cherchies® Champagne Mustard.

Leftover Pork

Cajun Mac and Cheese Recipe- Add Cherchies®Cajun Seasoning and Andouille sausage to heavenly mac and cheese, and you've just transported yourself into the heart of Bayou Country! 

Split Pea & Lentil Soup- In 35 minutes you could have a piping hot bowl of this deliciously comforting soup! Perfect for leftover ham!

Canadian Bacon Egg Casserole Recipe- Cherchies® Lem’Dill Seasoning is the secret ingredient to make this egg dish divine!

Ham, Turkey, and Cheese Stromboli Recipe- Add a twist to pizza night and make these delicious strombolis featuring Cherchies® Mustards.

Champagne Blackberry Grilled Ham and Cheese Recipe- Gooey melty cheesy sandwiches with salty ham, tangy Champagne Mustard, sweet Blackberry Preserves, and brie cheese. Oh my!

Ham and Mustard Biscuit Recipe- What could be better than biscuits and ham?  Biscuits with ham and our signature champagne mustard.

Fried Rice Recipe- Perfect for leftover chicken and veggies, featuring Cherchies®Garlic ‘n Herbs Seasoning and Cherchies® Champagne Mustard or Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard.

Leftover Veggies

Irish Vegetable Soup Recipe- Perfect for whatever fresh or canned vegetables you have available. This recipe features Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning.

The Real Deal "Shepherd's Pie" Recipe- An authentic Irish recipe tweaked to feature Cherchies® Champagne Mustard, Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, and Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz.

Homemade Potatoes O'Brien Recipe- Add some leftover meat for a complete meal. Featuring Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Cherchies® Pretty Peppers.

Leftover Mashed Potato Cups Recipe- A fun re-make that you could either serve as a side or serve it as an appetizer for guests, featuring Cherchies® Lem’n Dill Seasoning.

Teresa's Ham & Asparagus Quiche Recipe- Yes, real people (men and women alike) eat quiche;) This recipe features Cherchies® Champagne Mustard and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning.

Leftover Salsa

Tex-Mex Burger Recipe- This burger recipe is a force to be reckoned with, as it hits all the flavor notes, sweet, spicy, and smoky, all wrapped up in one lip-smacking package! It features Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa.

Black Bean and Corn Breakfast Burrito Recipe- A bold and robust breakfast burrito featuring Cherchies® Bean & Corn Salsa.

Tex-Mex Avocado Toast Recipe- Are you ready for a flavor party for your mouth? This recipe is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack and it features Cherchies® Black Bean & Corn Salsa.