Sweet & Savory Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Recipe

These savory morsels are perfect for those busy days as an after-school snack, a make-ahead appetizer, a game day treat, or a different twist to your usual dinner routine. Easy, peasy!

We embellished on our stromboli recipe from our blog and came up with these sweet and savory pinwheels to share with you.  Instead of pizza dough, we substituted refrigerated crescent roll dough and added Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread as a glaze to these tasty tidbits, with a pop of texture from the poppy seeds.  

The result was a deliciously sweet and savory, flaky pinwheel tinged with tangy mustard, salty ham, and glazed with fruity apple butter. A must-have recipe for holidays, game day, or any celebration. Make sure to grab some for yourself, because these morsels will disappear before your eyes! Serve them with our Homemade Applesauce and our Cranberry Spinach Salad for a complete meal!

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Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated crescent rolls

• 1-2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherchies® Champagne Mustard, Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard, or Cherchies® Cranberry Mustard

• 4-5 slices deli ham or leftover holiday ham, sliced thin

• 4-5 slices Swiss or Provolone cheese

• 2-3 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread

• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) poppy seeds

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  On a floured surface or on parchment paper, roll out the crescent roll dough into the shape of a rectangle.  (If using traditional crescent roll dough, press the triangle seams together to form a rectangle.  There are now long sheets of crescent dough on the market, either of which is fine).   Spread the dough with the mustard of your choice.  

Next, layer the dough with the cheese, followed by the ham.  Starting with the long side of the dough, carefully and tightly roll up the dough and place the dough seam side down.  Refrigerate the rolled up dough for about 15 minutes to allow for easier cutting.

Once the dough has chilled, remove the rolled dough from the refrigerator and carefully slice into 1 inch segments and place on a parchment papered baking sheet. 

Lightly brush the pinwheels with the Apple Butter Spread and then sprinkle the pinwheels with the poppy seeds.

Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Stuffed Pepper Mummy Recipe

Stuffed Pepper Mummy Recipe

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!

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.  

Stuffed Pepper Mummy Recipe

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

Stuffed Pepper Recipe

The Best Layered Taco Dip Recipe

The Best Layered Taco Dip Recipe

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.  

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!

Best Darn Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

Best Darn Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

One condiment you will find abundantly stocked in our home is Ranch Dressing. Since our second child was young (by far the pickiest of our three children), Ranch dressing was the quintessential condiment and the only way we could entice him to eat vegetables, chicken tenders, burgers, and pretty much anything. Whenever our children stayed at their grandparents' homes, we forewarned them to keep Ranch dressing on hand or suffer the consequences. 

To this day, Ranch is still our son's preferred condiment, but he's hardly the picky eater he was in the past. He considers himself "The Master Taster Tester" of the family (something he coined when he was younger). I had never made Homemade Ranch before until our son asked, "Mom, what is in ranch dressing?" I was stumped. So, we looked up the ingredients, and as it turns out, I had everything on hand, including fresh herbs from our garden. I sensed a method to his madness, so after playing with a few ingredients, I surprised him later with homemade ranch dressing. His smile said it all.

From The "Master Taster Tester's" lips, "Mom, this is the best darn ranch dressing ever!", It only seemed fitting to share this recipe with the world and label it The Best Darn Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe. Embodied in creamy buttermilk, Cherchies® Lem'n Dill, Cherchies® Garlic 'n Herbs, and other fresh herbs, this tasty ranch dressing recipe will appease even the most discerning ranch lover; but beware, you may never go back to the bottled ranch dressing again! Use this dressing in all your favorite recipes: a dip for vegetables, chicken tenders, fries, a spread on sandwiches, and a salad dressing.

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

• 1/2 cup mayo

• 1/2 cup sour cream (could substitute Greek yogurt)

• 1/2 cup half and half

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) white vinegar

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) lemon juice

• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) coarsely chopped fresh chives

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) chopped fresh parsley (3/4 teaspoon dried)

• 1 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies® Lem'n Dill Seasoning

• 1/4 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies® Garlic 'n Herbs No-Salt Seasoning

• 1/4 teaspoon (tsp) ground black pepper

Preparation

Add all the ingredients to a food processor or blender.  Pulse to combine.  If the recipe is too thick, add more half-and-half or milk to the mixture.  

Refrigerate and chill for at least an hour, but overnight is preferable, as the flavors will marry. Serve over your favorite salad or as a dipping sauce for fries, chicken tenders, pretzels, vegetables, or whatever your heart desires.

Enjoy!

**Note: In the post, I mentioned buttermilk. I rarely have buttermilk on hand, so I use half and half and a teaspoon of white vinegar to simulate buttermilk. It is a quick and easy substitution.

Best Darn Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe