Double Decker Taco Recipe

January 19, 2016entrees, lunchSheri SpalloneComment

Of all the meals in our family's recipe repertoire, tacos (any kind) seem to make their presence on the table weekly. They are the perfect easy meal anytime for any celebration, and they are just plain fun. Who doesn't like fun? But double the fun? I'm in!

These mouth-watering double-decker tacos are delicious, with a soft shell on the outside and a hard shell on the inside and all the tasty fixings nicely tucked inside, similar to Taco Bell's Gordita Crunch. Our children picked up on this idea a long time ago because, according to them, "the tacos don't break apart all over the place." I like the idea because of the crunch inside a soft, warm tortilla. It just adds a unique texture to tacos.

But, the secret to the outstanding flavor of these double-decker tacos is meat (or seafood) seasoned with our Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning Blend, an all-purpose seasoning blend perfect for grilling but versatile enough on ribs, in dips, chilis, pulled pork, casseroles, and especially tacos.

So, the next time you're in the mood for tacos, "double wow" your family, friends, etc., grab a bottle of Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning Blend, and make these fun; flavorful double-decker tacos! You will not be disappointed. They are perfect for Taco Night, Cinco de Mayo, graduation parties, weddings, or any gathering where tacos are the star.

Comment below and let us know how they turned out! Thank you for visiting! Come back and visit for new tasty recipes.

PRINT RECIPE

Ingredients

1 pound of ground meat (we used ground chicken for this picture)
1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) pepper
1 small onion chopped
1 cup beef broth (you can use chicken or vegetable broth)
3 1/2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning Blend (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon (tsp) cornstarch
hard taco shells (can use soft...or both...what?)
Salsa or Pico de gallo (we used store-bought fresh salsa)
2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Chopped cilantro mixed with 1 cup chopped lettuce (more depending on if needed)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Chardonnay Guacamole Recipe (optional)
Lime n' Cha Sauce (below)

Lime n' Cha Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon (tsp.) Sriracha Chili Sauce (or your favorite chili sauce)
Juice from 1/2 a lime
1 Tablespoon

Preparation

In a large skillet, add oil, onions, Garlic Seasoning, pepper, and saute onions in oil until translucent.

Add ground meat, cornstarch, Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub & Seasoning, and beef broth and cook until meat is cooked through and no longer pink. Once meat is cooked through and sauce has thickened, it's time to build the tacos:)

To hard or soft tacos, add the seasoned meat and your favorite toppings. For these tacos we layered meat, pico de gallo or salsa (my hubby prefers our Cherchies® Vidalia Onion Peach Salsa on top), lettuce, cheese, and Lime 'n Cha sauce (below) on top.

Now for double the fun...wait for it...spread a soft corn or flour tortilla with refried beans and wrap the taco!

So you decide, fun or double the fun? Ole:)

Yum

Cooking Tip: How to Chop, Slice, and Mince an Onion

January 14, 2016cooking tipsSheri SpalloneComment

When I first started cooking years ago, I never knew there was a right way to cut an onion...I just cut it.

Recently, as I was watching one of my favorite cooking shows, I learned I was doing it all wrong.

My hubby came into the kitchen recently while I was preparing dinner and said "that's a new way to cut an onion...did you learn it from your cooking shows?" I looked at him and proudly said, "yes I did". He said, "that would make a good cooking tip..." (he's so smart;)

I'm an experienced home chef and I'm terrified of knives, or at least I was (perhaps because I didn't know I was doing it wrong). So, I thought I'd pass on some tips on how to chop, slice, and mince an onion, safely.

Chopping or Mincing-

1. Begin by cutting an onion in half, making sure to keep the base in tact. Peel away the first or second layers depending on the onion.

2. Cut off the top end of the onion, keeping the base in tact. Cut vertical slits into the onion as close to the base (or root) as possible, but being careful not to cut through the onion completely.

3. Turn the onion. I can't stress this enough, MAKE SURE YOU CURL YOUR FINGERS when you are cutting. Your knuckles should be the guide for the knife. Our fingers are important;) Cut the desired size of onion you want. For mincing, cut smaller pieces, using the same technique.

4. As you near the end of the onion, turn the onion again to get the sides of the base (root) and turn over to chop more. You should be left with only the base (root) with very little waste.

Slicing- For slicing half-circles, Follow step 1. Curling your fingers (don't forget), make thin slices up to the base (root). If slicing rings, cut off the top as mentioned in Step 1, but do not cut in half. Slice whole onion into rings.

Slice away safely:)

Yum

Black and White Bean Chili Recipe

January 13, 2016entrees, lunchSheri SpalloneComment

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Originally posted in 2016.

PRINT RECIPE

After an unseasonably warm December here in Pennsylvania (70 degrees on Christmas Eve), it is finally Winter (downright freezing!!). That means comfort food and chili (made with one of our favorite seasoning blends, Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning Blend) are at the top of our family's list.

Everyone has their favorite chili recipe, but this easy, tasty recipe steals the show because it features our all-purpose seasoning blend, Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning Blend, and items commonly found in your pantry. If you have never tried our grilling rub, you are missing out. It is perfect for grilling, as the label indicates, and it is versatile enough for roasting meats and flavoring dips, casseroles, Mexican dishes, ribs, pulled pork, and chili! The possibilities are endless with this fabulous multi-purpose seasoning.

This recipe feeds a crowd, but you can always half it (unless you have hungry teens like us, who always want second and third helpings. It is amazing how much young adults can eat). If you are short on time and need extra help in the kitchen, you can also make this recipe in your slow cooker by adding all the ingredients to your slow cooker, turning it on, and walking away for a few hours. It's that simple. You would need to stir occasionally, but the rest is a breeze.

Whether it's cold weather comfort, game day celebrations, casual get-togethers, or whenever the mood strikes, this chili recipe will not disappoint. So, why not make the best chili tonight? Grab some Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning Blend, a few ingredients from your pantry, and let's get cooking.

Ingredients

*1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) bacon fat or olive oil (*If have leftover bacon grease)
3 lbs. ground meat (turkey, chicken, or beef is fine)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup beef broth (we use 1 cup of water with 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Minor's Beef base)
3 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning Blend (more to taste- ground poultry may need more)
1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) ground pepper
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (15 oz.) black beans, drained
2 cans (15 oz.) white beans, drained
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional garnish)
Sour cream (or non-fat greek yogurt as an optional garnish)
Sliced green onions (optional garnish)
Hot sauce (optional garnish)

Preparation

Chop onions and saute in a large dutch oven in olive oil or bacon fat until onions are soft and translucent.(you could cook onions with one strip of a strip of bacon. I happened to have reserved bacon drippings in the refrigerator and used that) Add Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning and Pepper.

Add meat, Cherchies® Select Grilling Rub and Seasoning, liquid smoke, tomato paste, beef broth and cook until meat is cooked and no longer pink.

Add the beans and the entire can of tomatoes to the pot. Stir and simmer until beans are soft.

Serve with your favorite chili toppings...cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, green onions, etc., you decide! Enjoy!

Yum

10 Kitchen Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

January 13, 2016Sheri SpalloneComment

It's time to take your kitchen tools to the next level and ultimately save you time and money in the kitchen.

There are so many gadgets these days designed to make your life easier, but did you know those same gadgets have a multitude of uses? (I love those "aha" moments). These are known as "hacks".

"A kitchen hack is an unusual, easier, and/or better way of performing a task that often saves money and time or improves the quality of the outcome" (Cook's Illustrated Magazine).

Who doesn't love to save time and money?

I found this book in my stocking this year (how ever did it get there?) from Cook's Illustrated Magazine, Kitchen Hacks: How Clever Cooks Get Things Done, Here are a few of my favorite hacks I thought you'd enjoy and perhaps have your own "aha" moment:)

1. Apple Slicer- In addition to apples, use your apple slicer on potatoes to make quick steak fries or to chop nuts.

2. Egg Slicer- Use an egg slicer to slice mushrooms, strawberries, olives, etc.

3. Salad Spinner- Use a salad spinner to dry fresh herbs

4. Pencil Sharpener- Short on skewers? Turn take-out chopsticks into skewers by using a pencil sharpener.

5. Wire Wisk - Use a sturdy wire whisk in place of a pastry cutter.

6. Coffee Filters- No parchment paper for a cake pan? Use an 8 inch coffee filter (8-10 cup filter), flattened to line an 8 inch cake pan.

7. Muffin Tins- Use a muffin tin with liners to store ingredients while you cook (Aka "Mise en Place" (Having all your ingredients prepared and ready to use). No more small bowls to clean (there are so many uses for muffin tins...that will have to be another blog).