Cherchies Blog

leftovers

Crispy Dilly Zucchini Fritters Recipe

appetizers, gluten free, leftovers, side dishes, snacksSheri SpalloneComment

Crispy Dilly Zucchini Fritters Recipe

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Serves: 4

If you have been reading our blog (thank you), you will know that I often refer to our children as leftover haters and take pride in transforming last night's dinner into tonight's masterpiece. It is a great way to waste less and save money. I also love trying new recipes and surprising my family with new culinary creations to keep things fresh in our meal rotation. Today’s recipe: Crispy Dilly Zucchini Fritters featuring Cherchies® Lem ‘N Dill Seasoning.

Now that hubby and I are empty nesters, with the youngest two currently in college, I discovered that my biggest culinary challenge is my hubby, and changing his palate (who is, by far, the pickiest in our family) is my new mission. Our family has a one-bite rule. They do not have to like what we prepare but must try it, and the same goes for picky husbands. Challenge accepted;)

Let's talk zucchini, not necessarily my hubby's favorite but a colossal canvas for my mission. Our garden has abundantly provided us with a plethora of zucchini this summer, and aside from stir-fries, sauteeing, zucchini bread (more on that in another post), or even giving to neighbors, I needed a new recipe for zucchini fast, and this tasty zucchini fritter recipe is the perfect experiment for a picky non-veggie loving hubby.

The result, HE LOVED IT, as did our college students, who are home for the Summer. They even went for seconds! And the next day…hubby went looking for more leftover fritters for a snack but unfortunately came up short (our children had gobbled them up).

This easy recipe, featuring Cherchies® Lem ‘N Dill Seasoning Blend, comes together in minutes. It is crispy on the outside and flavorful and moist in the middle. The hardest part about this recipe is squeezing the water out of the zucchini. The more water you squeeze out of the zucchini, the better the fritters will turn out. I have yet to try this recipe in our air fryer but report back if you do.

So, if you have more zucchini than you know what to do with and are looking for a tasty vegetable recipe, consider making these crispy dilly zucchini fritters, but grab some for yourself, as they will disappear right before your eyes! Family and picky hubby approved.

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have tried this 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:

  • 2 medium zucchini (or one large zucchini)

  • 2 teaspoons (tsp.) salt

  • 4 scallions, diced

  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) Cherchies® Lem'n Dill Seasoning

  • 1 large egg, beaten (might need more depending on zucchini)

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/3 cup cornmeal

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) cornstarch

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) baking powder

  • Canola or olive oil for frying

  • Sour cream or **special sauce (optional) for dipping

  • Extra diced scallions or chives to garnish (optional)

**Special Sauce Ingredients: (optional)

Preparation
Grate zucchini into a colander with a box grater in the sink, or use a food processor with a shredding attachment. Toss the zucchini with two teaspoons of salt. Let the shredded zucchini sit in a colander over a large bowl for 10 minutes. The salt will draw out the moisture from the zucchini.

After 10 minutes, put the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. The more liquid squeezed out, the crispier the fritters will be.

Add the drained zucchini, scallions, parsley, Cherchies® Lem'n Dill Seasoning, egg, cheese, cornmeal, cornstarch, and baking powder to a large bowl. Mix to combine. (To make this dairy-free, omit Parmesan cheese or substitute with vegan parmesan cheese).

Add a thin layer of oil to a pan, and over medium heat, add spoonfuls of the zucchini mixture. Flatten with a spatula and pan-fry until golden brown (3-5 minutes per side). Once the fritters are cooked, remove them from the pan and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.

Serve with sour cream or **special sauce, garnished with scallions or chives for dipping.

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Recipe Roundup - 36 Creative Uses for Holiday Leftovers

recipe round up, leftoversSheri SpalloneComment

36 Creative Uses For Holiday Leftovers

What a year! It is hard to believe Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I am grateful for many things this year. I am most grateful we celebrated Thanksgiving together as a family rather than virtually via Zoom. Hopefully, your holiday celebrating also returned to more normalcy this year. I am immensely thankful for you for reading our blog, trying our family-tested recipes (since 1978), and sharing your comments and ideas. Thank you!

And, last but not least, I am grateful for leftovers!

I know there are leftover lovers and haters, but if you are a leftover lover, you will love the recipes we have compiled in this blog. We’ve collected our favorite Cherchies® recipes using holiday leftovers to make your meal planning easy and stretch your budget during this busy holiday season.

Enjoy!

Comment below and let us know how you use up holiday leftovers. As always, thank you for visiting. Come back again!

Sheri-Cherchies®

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 (Asian Dishes-Substitute any meat you have on hand)

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 Dishes)

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.

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 Dishes)

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 Recipes)

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.


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.

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 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.

Leftover Jam and Jelly

Homemade Toaster Strudel Recipe- The perfect breakfast treat or afternoon snack featuring leftover Cherchies® Preserves or Butter Spreads.

Blackberry Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe- Quick, easy, and a fabulous way to start the morning, featuring Cherchies® Preserves or Butter Spreads.

Jam and Brie Cups Recipe- These delectable cheesy bites, featuring Cherchies® Preserves and Butter Spreads, whip up in minutes and make for an elegant easy appetizer.

Spinach Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe- Did you know leftover jams and jellies can be used in vinaigrettes? This recipe features Cherchies® Cranberry Preserves but our other preserves of butter spreads would work nicely too.

Cheesy Jam Thumbprint Recipe- Another quick and easy appetizer featuring leftover jam or jelly. This recipe works great with Cherchies® Preserves or Butter Spreads.

Memaw’s Strawberry Cake Recipe- Leftover Cherchies® Strawberry Butter Spread in cake mixes makes for an easy tasty dessert.


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Blue Cheese Wedge Salad Recipe

entrees, leftovers, lunch, saladsSheri SpalloneComment
Bleu 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.

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

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)

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!

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The Best Cowboy Caviar Recipe

appetizers, snacks, side dishes, leftovers, gluten freeSheri SpalloneComment
The Best Cowboy Caviar Dip 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!

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