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!

Mini Herbed Cheese Ball Recipe

Mini Herbed Cheese Ball Recipe

Don't let the ball drop this New Year's without trying these classic mini herbed cheese balls with pretzel sticks. Individually portioned and perfect for social distancing, these tasty, colorful morsels are easy to make and pop in your mouth as you pop open the bubbly. These festive cheese balls, featuring Cherchies® Seasoning blends can be made ahead, allowing you more time to ring in the New Year with those you hold dear.

Did you know?  Research shows that serving round foods (which resemble coins, meaning wealth) on New Years' is supposed to bring good luck. After an unprecedented year like 2020, good luck sounds dreamy right now.

Even though your New Year's Eve plans may look different this year, you can still make it a night to remember with these mini savory cheeseballs. They are easy to make, they can be made ahead, and they are an absolute must-have recipe for your New Year's arsenal. 

Have a safe and Happy New Year, friends! Thank you for visiting, and please come back again!

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

• 4 oz. bleu cheese, room temperature

• 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 small onion, grated or finely minced

• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

• Cherchies® Lem’n Dill Seasoning, Cherchies Pepper Pizzazz, and Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend (We tested this recipe with these seasoning blends, but feel free to experiment with your favorite and report back to us!)
  
  Preparation

  Allow the cream cheese to rest on the counter in the package for about 30 minutes, or until softened to room temperature. (If you are in a rush, try this trick. Place sealed package of cream cheese, sans the box, in a small bowl with warm water. This will allow the cream cheese to soften quicker).

  In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, bleu cheese, cheddar cheese, minced onions, and Worcestershire sauce. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (can also be made ahead to chill in refrigerator over night).

When close to serving, evenly distribute the Cherchies® Seasoning Blends on three plates. (This will be used to roll up the mini cheese balls.) With a melon ball scooper, scoop out individual portions of the cheese mixture and roll in the various seasoning blends.

When ready to serve, add a pretzel stick for individual tasty portions. Enjoy!

Salmon and Dill Rollups Recipe

Salmon and Dill Rollups Recipe

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Let the countdown to 2021 begin. Let's face it, 2020 was anything but ordinary. While we are all ready to put 2020 behind us, most importantly now, we also need to relax, unplug, enjoy the holiday season, and treat ourselves to something special.  

These festive salmon and dill rollups, featuring smoked salmon, spinach, Cherchies® Lem'n Dill Seasoning, etc., are the perfect snack for cozying up by the fire or a fancy enough appetizer you and your significant other can share over a bottle of wine.

Now is the time, more than ever, to treat yourselves this holiday season to these elegant salmon and dill pinwheels. You deserve something special!

Enjoy!  

Comment below and let us know if you tried this tasty recipe. We would love to hear from you and as always, thank you for visiting! Please come back again.

Ingredients

• 4 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)

• 1/2 cup chopped green onions (green and white part)

• 2 Tbsp. (Tablespoons) Cherchies® Lem'n Dill Seasoning Blend

• Baby Spinach leaves (Enough to cover tortilla)

• Smoked salmon (Enough to cover tortilla)

• 1 large tortilla (burrito size- any type will work, regular, low carb, gluten-free, etc.)

Preparation

Allow the cream cheese to rest on the counter in the package for about 30 minutes, or until softened to room temperature. (If you are in a rush, try this trick. Place sealed package of cream cheese, sans the box, in a small bowl with warm water. This will allow the cream cheese to soften quicker).

In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, chopped green onions, and Lem'n Dill Seasoning. Set aside.

Lay the tortilla on a cutting board. Spread the tortilla with the cream cheese mixture until completely covered. Next, layer the spinach on top of the cream cheese followed by the smoked salmon.

Carefully roll the tortilla and slice the rollup into 1 1/2” pieces. Secure with toothpicks and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Salmon and Dill Rollups Recipe

Spooky Apple Dip Recipe

Spooky Apple Dip Recipe

Hello friends! Halloween is a knocking. It is the perfect time to whip up this Spooky Apple Dip recipe, featuring cream cheese, mini chocolate chips, Health Bar Bits, homemade caramel sauce**, and the secret ingredient Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread! Of course, the little candy eyes make this dish horrifyingly adorable.   

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. Our children always loved all the festive Halloween foods we would serve at our pre-Halloween celebration with family and friends.  

So, if you are looking for a quick and easy spooktacular Halloween treat and love caramel apples, this is the perfect dip to share at your next Halloween gathering. Serve it with sliced apples or even graham crackers, and you are good to go.

**Note: You could easily substitute store-bought caramel sauce if you're in a pinch, but homemade is easy and much better.

Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!

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

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 jar Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread

• 1 cup Homemade Caramel Sauce (you could use store bought but homemade is so much better!)

• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

• 1 cup Heath Bar Toffee bits (or your favorite toffee, crushed into small pieces)

• Candy “eyes” (We used Wilton candy eyes, we found at our local Michael’s, but they are available online as well.)

• Apple slices for dipping

Caramel Sauce Ingredients- Make this before assembling the spooky dip to allow the caramel to cool. For the full directions with pictures, please visit “How To Make Homemade Caramel Sauce” on our blog.

• 1 cup of brown sugar

• 6 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half, room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) sea salt (if want salted caramel, add up to 1 tsp. salt- Kosher salt is fine too)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (you could substitute your favorite liquor for an extra special adult treat…we won’t tell, but make sure to keep away from the kiddos)

Preparation for Caramel Sauce

The caramelization process happens quickly, so make sure all your ingredients are measured and in place before you begin. Start with a medium-sized stainless steel sauce pan (ceramic would work just fine too). Add the butter pieces to the pan, turn the heat on low, and gently stir the butter with a wooden spoon (you can use a whisk too) until it melts.

Once the butter has melted, add the sugar and continue to stir until the sugar has melted. (Sugar will be HOT! Trust me, and learn from my mistakes, do not be tempted to taste the caramel at any time, until it has cooled! Many sites I researched suggest having a bowl of cold water on hand in case of flying molten sugar. Yikes! Do not be afraid, but be safe.) As you are stirring, scrape the sugar that forms on the side with the spoon or a rubber spatula and incorporate into the mix.

Continue stirring constantly on low until all the sugar has dissolved and you have achieved a rich caramel color and a nutty aroma. Some of the butter may remain on the top. This is okay. It will incorporate once the half and half or cream is added. As the caramel comes to a rolling boil on low, continue rapidly stirring. Add salt and vanilla (or liquor) at this time. If you want salted caramel, then add an additional 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of salt.

The last part is the cream or half and half. Add the cream slowly and stir stir stir! Again, be careful, this is where the caramel will get angry with you, as it will sputter and possibly throw molten sugar your way. You must prevail. I’m teasing… it really is very easy! Simply continue stirring rapidly until all the ingredients are incorporated. Remove the caramel from the heat and allow to cool. Turn off the stove. The caramel will thicken as it cools.

Preparation for Spooky Apple Dip

Combine the softened cream cheese and the apple butter spread in a medium bowl with a hand-held mixer and mix on medium-low speed until combined. With a spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture into a pie plate or shallow dish.

Once the caramel sauce has cooled and thickened, evenly pour it over the cream cheese mixture. Next, sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the caramel, followed by the toffee bits.

Carefully place the candy eyes on top and serve with apples for a spooktackular Halloween presentation.

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!