Cooking Tip: How to Test the Freshness of Baking Soda

How do you test the freshness of baking soda you ask?  It's all in the bubbles!  That would be a bummer to bake something you spent some time and love on only to find out your baking soda was flat (I'm passing this onto you, because this happened to me...luckily only once.   The moral of the story...check your baking soda if you haven't used it in a while).  Find out below:)

"Test baking soda by adding a teaspoon-ful to a 1/2 cup hot water.  If it doesn't bubble, then it's time to throw it out". - Julia Child.  

Look at that...bubbles! I guess mine's good;) 

Recipe Roundup-Top 10 Game Day Recipes

I do love summer, and I'm sad to see it end, but that means that football season is right around the corner!  We are a huge football loving family and in honor of football season, I decided to create a list of my favorite easy Cherchies® recipes perfect for game day!  

Now go, have yourself a game day party...even if you don't like football (What???...just kidding... I won't hold it against you, if you won't hold it against me that I like football.  Honestly...when we have friends over, I watch some of the game, but mostly hang with my girlfriends).

Appetizers

• Marinated Cheese Recipe- A make ahead must! The Garlic 'n Herbs Seasoning and our Pretty Peppers "score" big in this recipe.

• Lemon Dill Dip Recipe- What would a party be without dips? This dip is so refreshing and our Cherchies® lemon dill spice makes this dip irresistibly good.

• Sweet and Sour Spread Recipe- Sweet pineapple combined with the zing of horseradish and gourmet mustard makes this a delicious appetizer that won't be on the table for long.

• Mexican Martino Cheesecake Recipe- This recipe is a touchdown (sorry, couldn't help myself), and feeds a large crowd. A savory cheesecake with peppers and Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa. Yumm!

• Oh Sooo Simple Salsa Recipe- Last minute get-together? No problem! Our Salsa Seasoning with Lime will turn any can of tomatoes into a delicious salsa! For an added bonus, add Velveeta Cheese to your newly made salsa, and microwave until melted... instant queso!

• Candied Pepper Jam Bacon- Bacon and football just seem perfect together for some reason, but then again bacon goes with everything;)

Heartier Appetizers/ Main Meal

• Ham and Mustard Biscuit Recipe- It doesn't get much easier than biscuit sliders with ham, cheese, and mustard. Or have a slider spread with different fillings (meatballs, pulled pork...).

• Yes, soup for you! (Seinfeld flashback)- With over 20 soups, we have just the one to warm you and your family. Plus, our soups can be made in a crockpot!

• Melt in Your Mouth Pulled Pork- 5 Ingredients, including our Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning Blend.

• Grilled Herb Chicken Legs- Fire up the grill, and add olive oil and your favorite Cherchies® seasoning blend

• Honey and Lime Grilled Shrimp- Lime, Cilantro, and honey will make your taste buds sing! (Ooops, that's 11...gave you a bonus!).

Desserts

• Blackberry or Lemon Raspberry Monkey Bread Muffins- (Oh well, another bonus...I just love surprises...don't you?) These little cuties are so quick and easy and will be a hit at your next party. Make them both!

Have a great day folks!

Pulled Pork Bowl Recipe

Pulle Pork Bowl Recipe

One of my son's favorite foods is pulled pork sandwiches (he must have gotten that from me).  After a day of slow cooking the pork and smelling the wonderful aromas all day, it was almost time for dinner...until I realized at the eleventh hour that I didn't have rolls to make the sandwiches.  Yikes!  Think mom, now what? Mashed potatoes! 

I quickly peeled a few potatoes and plopped them into boiling water, and in a short few minutes (you get the gist), I had mashed potatoes and a comforting pulled pork bowl!  This recipe is so easy...you throw the ingredients in a slow cooker and walk away!

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 lb. Pork roast, sliced into 1-inch steaks

• 1 onion chopped

• Cherchies®Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning (enough to coat both sides)

• Brown sugar (enough to coat both sides)

• 1 cup chicken broth

• Your favorite mashed potato recipe (or you could just use rolls;)

Preparation

Slice pork roast into about 1-inch steaks. Generously rub the pork with Cherchies® Grilling Rub & Seasoning (this seasoning blend is seriously one of my favorite most versatile spices) and brown sugar.

Add onions and chicken broth.

Cook on low for 5-6 hours (or 4-5 hours on high), or until pork pulls apart with forks.   Serve over your favorite mashed potatoes or on rolls for pulled pork sandwiches.  Enjoy! 

Kathy's Thai Chicken Recipe

Thai Chicken Recipe

Who needs take-out, when you can make it at home?  Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of ordering from my favorite Thai restaurant, especially on a weekend night, but this recipe was so easy, I had to give it a try!  Thank you, Kathy from Seattle, for sending us this delicious quick cooking recipe!  My kids asked for seconds!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast tenders (or slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 4 teaspoons canola oil, divided 
• 1 cup sliced onion 
• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Garlic 'n Herb No-Salt Seasoning  (could substitute Garlic Seasoning)
• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) pepper
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) fresh ginger (scraped with a Microplane)
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 2 Tablespoons Tbsp) Sriracha (hot chile sauce)
• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) sugar 
• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) fresh lime juice 
• 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) chopped fresh cilantro
• Cooked rice 
• 4 lime wedges 

Preparation

Cook rice according to package directions. Keep warm.  Combine fish sauce and cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.

Sprinkle both sides of chicken with Garlic 'n Herb No-salt Seasoning, pepper, and Chardonnay Lime & Cilantro Seasoning.  Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan.

Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in pan. Add onion, garlic, and ginger to pan; sauté 1 minute.

Return chicken to pan; cook 1 minute or until done. Stir in coconut milk, Sriracha, sugar, the cornstarch/fish sauce mixture, and lime juice; cook 45 seconds or until thoroughly heated.  Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons cilantro. Serve chicken mixture over rice with lime wedges.  Enjoy!