Cherchies Blog

appetizers

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.

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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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Crabmeat Ryes Recipe

appetizersSheri SpalloneComment

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Looking for a quick and easy appetizer? Look no further. This easy and elegant appetizer, featuring crab and Cherchies® new Brush ‘n Broil Sauce, is perfect for last-minute guests.

You will want to add this tasty to your recipe collection.

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have made this delicious 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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Ingredients

  • 1 can (61⁄2 oz.) crabmeat (Use fresh crabmeat when available.)

  •  1⁄2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 TBSP. fresh lime juice

  • 1 TBSP. Cherchies® Brush 'n Broil Sauce

  • paprika to taste

  • rye bread rounds

  • 1 TBSP. green onion tops, finely chopped

Preparation

Drain and flake crabmeat with your fingers and set aside. Put all remaining ingredients in a blender. Blend for 20 seconds, mixing well. 

Put crab meat in a bowl and add blender sauce. Mix well. Spread thickly on whole wheat or rye bread rounds. Sprinkle with paprika.

Place under a hot broiler for about 3 minutes or until the crabmeat starts to brown. Serve immediately.

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Lemon Dill Smoked Salmon Spread

appetizers, snacksSheri SpalloneComment

Lemon Dill Smoked Salmon Spread Recipe

Entertain in style at your next cocktail party, brunch, or game day gathering with this easy to make, festive, homemade smoked salmon dip/spread. This “fancy pants” crowd-pleaser recipe can be served as an appetizer with crackers and cocktails, or it is versatile enough to be set out on a brunch buffet with bagels and all the fixings.

The cream cheese makes this more of a spread than a dip because it is thicker, but adding a little sour cream to your desired consistency, will do the trick if you want to thin it out.

Aside from the smoked salmon being the star of this dish, the freshness of the lemon and Cherchies® Lem’n Dill Seasoning puts this delicate hors d’oeuvre recipe over the top for your fish-loving friends. I would recommend making this dip a day ahead to allow the flavors to intensify and marry together.

So if you are looking for an easy and elegant appetizer, brunch spread for the holidays, or game day party dip, look no further. You have got to try this fabulous dip/spread. Your crowd will go wild over this Lem’n Dill Smoked Salmon Recipe, but make sure you grab some for yourself because it will disappear before your eyes.

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

  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

  • 1/4 cup sour cream

  • 4 to 6 oz. of smoked salmon, setting aside a couple of strips for garnishing

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

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • Dash of hot pepper sauce (We used Sriracha)

  • Dash of Worcestershire sauce

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) chopped scallions (reserve 1 teaspoon (tsp.) for garnish

Preparation
Add cream cheese, sour cream, salmon, lemon juice, sauces, and seasonings to a food processor or stand mixer.

If using a food processor, pulse the ingredients (depending on desired consistency) to combine. * If you prefer larger chunks of smoked salmon, only pulse until combined. If using a stand mixer, add ingredients to the mixing bowl, and using the paddle attachment, mix until desired consistency.

Transfer the cheese mixture to a bowl, and stir in chopped scallions. Cover and refrigerate. We have found that the flavors intensify if made the day before your gathering. Serve with your favorite crackers, vegetables, or bread, or a combination of both. Garnish with reserved smoked salmon and a few green onions for an easy and tasty appetizer, and the perfect fancy treat for a crowd.

Enjoy!


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The Best Homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe

snacks, appetizersSheri SpalloneComment

The Best Pimento Cheese Recipe

If you ask anyone from the Southern part of the United States what their favorite appetizer is, undoubtedly, they will answer pimento cheese. A staple in most Southern households, pimento cheese is a tasty savory spread made mainly of different cheeses, mayonnaise, pimentos, etc. It is a fantastic dip with crackers and vegetables, but it is versatile enough to be used in countless culinary dishes—more on that in a bit.

This easy recipe comes from our friend Sandra from Lexington, South Carolina. Her recipe uses Cherchies® Pretty Peppers and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, and she insists on only using Duke’s* mayonnaise (a preferred Southern mayonnaise- much harder to find here in Pennsylvania). Her family and friends rave about this recipe; we think you will too. Make this tasty dip for your next gathering, and watch it disappear right before your eyes. It is easy, addicting, and is sure to become one of your favorite recipes.

Not only is pimento cheese the perfect complement to crackers and vegetables, but did you know you can cook with it? Here are a few ideas to get your creative culinary juices flowing:

  • As a sandwich between two slices of bread

  • In grilled cheese sandwiches

  • In Macaroni and cheese

  • Served on top of burgers

  • Heated to serve as a fondue with bread chunks

  • Folded into grits

  • Dolloped over fries to create incredible cheese fries.

  • On top of baked potatoes

  • Folded in deviled eggs

  • So much more!

What is your favorite way to use pimento cheese?

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have made this delicious recipe featuring Cherchies® Pretty Peppers and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning Blend. 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!

*Note- We have also tested this recipe with Helman’s for the same great results.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese (we prefer to use freshly grated cheese, rather than bagged shredded cheese).

  • 1/2 cup grated pepper jack cheese (we prefer to use freshly grated cheese, rather than bagged shredded cheese).

  • 1/2 cup grated Monterrey Jack Cheese (we prefer to use freshly grated cheese, rather than bagged shredded cheese).

  • 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature.

  • 1/2 cup *Duke’s Mayonnaise (or more for desired consistency)

  • 1/2 jar Cherchies® Pretty Peppers, drained

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning (more to taste)

  • Ground pepper to taste

Preparation

Drain the Pretty Peppers in a colander and set them aside. Add softened cream cheese to a medium bowl. Grate the cheddar, Monterrey Jack, and pepper jack cheeses and add them to the bowl. Add the mayonnaise, Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, pepper, and mix with a hand mixer.

Once combined, gently add in the Pretty Peppers and stir with a spoon or spatula until thoroughly combined.

Refrigerate for at least two hours. The flavors only intensify, so making this ahead of a gathering is perfectly acceptable. Add crackers and vegetables for a delicious dip when ready to serve, the perfect addition to charcuterie platters. Or, add the pimento cheese to your favorite dish (see above).

Enjoy!




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