Believe it or not, the holidays are knocking on our door, which means entertaining and family gatherings are soon to come! Have no fear, we have got you covered! Whether you are the courteous hostess or the gracious guest, our 15 favorite quick and easy appetizers are elegant enough for any occasion.

1. Fig and Herbed Brie Cups Recipe- Sweet and savory in one mini morsel, featuring Brie cheese, Thyme, and Cherchies® Fig Preserves.

2. Pretty Pepper Hummus Recipe- Sweet peppers and homemade deliciousness; featuring Cherchies® Pretty Peppers or for more of a kick, Cherchies® Pretty Hot Peppers.

3. Sausage Bites With Cranberry Mustard- Sweet and savory and oh sooo easy, featuring Cherchies® Cranberry Mustard.

Sausage Bites With Cranberry Mustard Recipe

4. Hot Pecan Spread Recipe- Perfect enough for a crowd! We dare you to try just one bite! This recipe features Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Cherchies® Pretty Peppers.

5. Seared Citrus Cilantro Scallops Recipe- Impress your guests with these elegant savory gems, featuring Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning Blend.

6. Tomato Basil Cups Recipe- Bacon, tomatoes and Swiss Cheese, all bundled up with Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz.

7. Tuna Pinwheel Recipe- Buttery, savory, melt-in-your mouth tuna bites, featuring Cherchies® Champagne Mustard or Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard.

8. Cherry Hot Pepper Bruschetta Recipe- Cherries, blue cheese, and Cherchies® Cherry Hot Pepper Jam all piled atop a lovely toasted baguette. Substitute cranberries and Cherchies® Cranberry Hot Pepper Jam for the holidays.

9. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe- Salty bacon, crunchy water chestnuts, and tangy sweet Cherchies® Cranberry Mustard. Tasty!

10. Herbed Dip Recipe- Whether it's a refreshing dill or garlic, or a spicier cajun or mexican flair, our seasoning blends make a tasty dip for all seasons! Serve vegetables and dip in shot glasses for a festive party display.

11. Pretty Crab Cake Recipe- Make this recipe, except roll the crab cakes into miniature cakes and serve with Peach Salsa Dipping Sauce. The products featured are Cherchies® Pretty Peppers, Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa, and Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning Blend.

12. Cheesy Hot Pepper Jam Thumbprints Recipe- Cheesy, savory, sweet appetizer bites. Prepare an assortment of thumbprints with our Hot Pepper Jams or sweet preserves. Festive, easy, and fun!

13. Pepper Jam Cream Cheese Appetizer- Unexpected company? No problem! Keep your pantry stocked with Cherchies® Hot Pepper Jams or preserves and serve over cream cheese for an amazingly quick appetizer!

Pepper Jam Cream Cheese Appetizer Recipe

14. Cocktail Meatballs Recipe- Place meatballs, Cherchies® Cranberry Preserves or Cherchies® Cranberry Hot Pepper Jam and chili sauce into a crock pot, turn it on low and walk away! Meatballs will be ready when guests arrive!

15. Marinated Cheese Recipe- Always the "big cheese" at any party, but grab some for yourself, because this appetizer will disappear before your eyes! This recipe features Cherchies® Pretty OR Pretty Hot Peppers and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning.

16. BONUS! I couldn't decide on just 15, because my favorite go-to recipe of all time for last minute guests...A CHEESE PLATE! Purchase some nice cheeses, crackers, meats, olives, dried fruit, etc., and pair them with different Cherchies® Hot Pepper Jams, Cherchies® Preserves, or Cherchies® Mustards. Allow your guests to come up with different combinations for a flavor explosion. The perfect conversation starter!

So, with a little planning and shopping, you will have easy peasy appetizers on hand for any celebration that pops up this holiday season! Enjoy!

Yum

Stuffed Pepper Mummy Recipe

October 10, 2017parties, appetizers, leftovers, snacksSheri SpalloneComment

So, it's October, which means Fall, right? Contrary to the typical conjured images of brilliant garnet, amber and gold leaves, where the crisp air commands sweaters and bonfires, such is not the case here in Pennsylvania. It is 80 degrees and green! Personally, I do not mind holding onto the tropical weather a bit longer, but at the same time, it is hard to think about Halloween when it feels like summer!

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Do you like Halloween? I don't know whether it is the inner child in me or the fact we have children, and their excitement over the years has excited us, but I have always been a sucker for party themes, themed food, theme decorations, etc., and Halloween is no exception.

These stuffed mummy peppers are so stinking cute, and the epitome of Halloween, spooky and fun (even if it is 80 degrees where you live)! They are quick and tasty, a fabulous use for leftover peppers, and are a delightful Halloween appetizer or snack. The filling possibilities are endless, but our favorite is our Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread, chock full of fresh vegetables and herbs. You could also use chili or our Tomato Basil Cups filling to stuff the peppers. And, talk about quality time in the kitchen! This is an ideal project to spend time with the kiddos, no matter the age. Our children are teenagers now, but they still enjoy helping in the kitchen, especially when food is fun! Priceless!

Serve these mummies with our Festive Deviled Eyeballs, Witches Cheese Brooms, Spooky Jack-o-Lanterns, and our Spooky English Muffin Pizzas for a frightfully eerie Halloween feast!

Thank you for stopping by! Happy early Halloween!

Ingredients

1 bag mini peppers (usually found in most grocery stores or bulk discount grocery stores, costco, Bj's, etc.), sliced in half, seeds removed
Veggie Cream Cheese Spread Recipe orTomato Basil Cup filling recipe
1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough, cut into thin strips (we used Pillsbury's newest product, crescent sheets. You could easily use crescent rolls and pinch the seams together before cutting).
Googly candy eyeballs (Wilton, I found these at my local party store)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and cut peppers in half. Remove seeds.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out pepper halves. Fill each pepper with cheese mixture (see above). Set aside. On a lightly floured surface, with a sharp knife, cut the crescent rolls into thin strips (about 1/2 inch). Carefully wrap the peppers, criss crossing the dough to resemble a mummy.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until dough is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for five minutes. Add googly candy eyes for that last minute spookiness. (Important- do not be tempted to put the eyes on before baking, as they will disappear, literally, they will melt! Not that I've done that...ahem;) Serve and enjoy!

* Note: These pepper mummies could easily be made ahead and frozen before baking.

Serve these year-round. Simply remove the eyes and you have a delicious appetizer or snack in minutes!

Yum

The Best Layered Taco Dip Recipe

July 11, 2017appetizers, parties, snacksSheri SpalloneComment

You know you hit the appetizer jackpot when you return home from a gathering with an empty dish once graced with layers of savory taco goodness.

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This quick and easy classic layered dip has been a crowd favorite at our get-togethers and potlucks for years. Loaded with refried beans, creamy guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and cheese, it is our secret ingredients, Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend and Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning, that take this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary. It is no wonder why this recipe has earned the prestigious title "The Best Layered Taco Dip Recipe" from our friends and family. Since it is the "best," we would be amiss not to share it with you.

Whether it is a potluck or Game Day celebration, this dip will seriously score big with your gang! It feeds a crowd, it can be made ahead, and it will definitely become your new favorite party appetizer!

Ingredients

1 16 oz. can of refried beans
1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning
8 oz. of your favorite guacamole (We tested this recipe with Wholly Guacamole)
12 oz. sour cream
2 heaping Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend
1 14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes, drained
3 green onions, finely chopped
1 2.25 oz. can sliced black olives, drained
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce (optional)
2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (sometimes we use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses)
Tortilla chips (or substitute Frito Scoops for the tortilla chips)

Preparation

In a small bowl, soften the refried beans in a microwave for about 20 seconds. (This process makes the beans easier to spread). Add the Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning to the refried beans and mix. Spread the bean mixture in a shallow baking dish (For the pretty factor, use a glass baking dish to show off the different layers). For the next layer, spread the guacamole over the refried beans.

In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream and Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend and spread over the guacamole layer.

If using lettuce (optional), sprinkle over the sour cream. Next, sprinkle the tomatoes, followed by the cheese, green onions, and olives. Finally, for a festive flair, sprinkle a small amount of Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend over the dip.

Refrigerate the taco dip for at least a couple of hours to overnight. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips (we used Frito Scoops this time) and watch this glorious layered dip disappear. We dare you to try just one bite!

Or, mix things up for Halloween and create this creepy spider web. Expose the guacamole layer exposed, then add the cheese, olives, tomatoes an scallions around the edge. Serve with blue corn tortilla chips for a spooky effect and add a fake spider and you are all set for Halloween!

Enjoy!

Yum

30 Amazing Memorial Day BBQ Recipes

May 13, 2017parties, recipe round upSheri SpalloneComment

Happy May!

According to www.daysoftheyear.com, May is National BBQ month! It is the unofficial beginning of summer, and a time for celebrations such as Mother's Day, graduations, and the end of the school year. May is also a month to remember those who have fought for our freedom.

Amid the celebrations, Memorial Day seems to get tucked in at the end of May and often does not get the recognition it deserves. This particular holiday is meant to be a day of recognition to our servicemen and servicewomen, past and present, who have protected our rights as Americans. "Thank you to every serviceman and servicewoman who has given their all to guarantee us the wonderful freedom we enjoy. May we never forget nor take for granted what their sacrifice means to us!" - Anonymous

Well said!

In honor of May and freedom and National BBQ month, we hope you enjoy our 30 favorite BBQ recipes to make your holiday easy peasy. So celebrate your freedom this Memorial Day with a BBQ surrounded by your family and friends, and say thank you to those who serve and have served our glorious country!

Thanks for stopping by! Please comment below if you have made any of these delicious recipes. Please come back and visit us.

Enjoy!

Appetizers