Cooking Tip: How To Cook Asparagus

February 11, 2016cooking tipsSheri SpalloneComment

Asparagus is an antioxidant powerhouse packed full of vitamins and fiber, and it is easy to cook.

Everyone has a favorite method of preparing asparagus, but regardless of the preference, asparagus needs to be washed and trimmed before cooking and seasoned before serving.

For an extra flavor burst, add a squeeze of lemon and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning or Cherchies® Garlic 'n Herbs No-Salt Seasoning, and perhaps a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

For a lighter version, consider replacing the butter with a vinaigrette made with Cherchies® Champagne Mustard, white vinegar, and olive oil (or oil of choice).

Roasted- This is my preferred method and is very easy. Place washed and trimmed asparagus in a baking pan and drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, and Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning or Cherchies® Garlic 'n Herbs Seasoning and cook for about 10-15 minutes or until asparagus is brown and tender.

Sauteed- This method allows the asparagus to retain its bright green color and involves cooking it on high heat for about 10 minutes and tossing it occasionally. Heat the asparagus with a bit of butter or oil in a pan and season to taste.

Steamed- The asparagus is placed in a steamer rack over boiling water and cooked for about 4-8 minutes or until tender. If used for salads or stir-frys, add cooked asparagus to an ice-water bath for a few minutes to stop the cooking process—season to taste.

Microwave- This method is similar to steaming. Use about 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) of water in a microwave-safe bowl or plate and microwave asparagus for 2-3 minutes. If used for salads or stir-frys, add cooked asparagus to an ice-water bath for a few minutes to stop the cooking—season to taste.

Grilled- Grilling asparagus is a tasty way to preserve its flavor and impart the smokiness that grillers love. Toss asparagus with a small amount of oil and place it on a hot grill. To make grilling easier, skewer several asparagus stalks together and cook asparagus for about 10 minutes or until tender, turning to brown evenly. Season the asparagus to taste.

So, what's your favorite way to cook asparagus? We'd love to hear from you and share your recipes:) Comment below.

Thank you for visiting! Come back again for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

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Grilled Muffuletta Recipe

February 9, 2016lunch, entrees, grillingSheri SpalloneComment

Cook Time: 20 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Today is Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday", and in honor of this celebration I share with you my version of "The Muffuletta", grilled with melty provolone cheese, salty olives and salami, ham, sweet roasted peppers, and Hot Banana Pepper Mustard. Making your mouth water?

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My hubby and I and a few friends traveled to New Orleans (aka NOLA) for the first time recently and had the most sinfully delicious sandwich, "The Muffuletta" from The Central Grocery in The French Quarter. This gargantuan sandwich is made with homemade bread and stuffed with layers of ham, salami, cheeses, and a tasty olive salad. Seriously insane. Talk about a flavor party in your mouth!

My version has all the flavors sans some of the the guilt. The Banana Hot Pepper Mustard is the "piece de resistance" of this sandwich. Go ahead and try it, it's the perfect Fat Tuesday sandwich or anytime you have a hankering for salty olives and salami, ham, sweet roasted peppers, tangy mustard, and gooey melty cheese. Everything in moderation, right? Here's how it's made. This recipe serves 2.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Ingredients (per sandwich)

2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard
1/4 cup chopped pitted black olives
1/4 cup chopped pitted green olives
1/4 cup chopped salami
1/4 cup cubed Provolone, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup Pepperoncini, seeds removed, chopped
1/2 jar Cherchies® Pretty Peppers
4 slices of good fresh bread (Here I used sourdough bread)
4 slices Provolone Cheese
2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) butter

Preparation

Chop the olives, provolone chunks (optional), salami, and pepperoncini into small pieces (In the second picture the salami had not been chopped fine enough). In a medium bowl, mix the olives, Provolone, salami, Pretty Peppers, and pepperoncini.

Turn griddle (or pan) onto medium. Spread softened butter or olive oil onto bread. Place buttered bread onto griddle. Grill until desired consistency.

Turn oven onto broil. Now, let's build this glorious sandwich. Spread Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard on the grilled slices of bread that are facing up. Add ham then the olive mixture (oops, sorry about the ham picture).

Now for the melty "glue". Place the slices of Provolone cheese over the olive mixture and broil the sandwiches open faced until cheese has melted (only a few minutes).

When the cheese has melted, carefully put the halves together, and cut sandwich in half. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is:) The perfect sandwich anytime, not just for Mardi Gras. Enjoy!

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Recipe Roundup-Top 20 Game Day Recipes

February 3, 2016parties, recipe round upSheri SpalloneComment

Munchdown! It's almost time for the Super Bowl folks and that means parties, which means food!

To help with your football party planning, I've listed 20 of our favorite quick and easy Cherchies® recipes to make your party is extra "super".

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...or The Eagles...sorry guys, maybe next year;)

Appetizers

Marinated Cheese Recipe- A make ahead must! The Garlic 'n Herbs Seasoning and our Pretty Peppers "score" big in this recipe.
Muffuletta Cream Cheese Roll-Up Recipe- The flavors of the classic New Orleans "Muffuletta" in a bite-sized appetizer.
Cheesy Havarti-Dill Pull Apart Bread- Soft, crunchy artisan bread, melty Havarti cheese, drippy butter and Lemon dill spice...oh my!
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.
Artichoke and Cheese Squares- Score points for flavor.
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;)

Main Meal/Heartier Appetizers

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...).
Bake Chicken Tenders with Cranberry Mustard Dipping Sauce- A sweet and tangy compliment to the chicken.
Double Decker Tacos- Have a taco bar!
Yes, soup for you! (Seinfeld flashback)- With over 20 soups, we have just the one to warm you and your family. Plus, most of our soups can be made in a crockpot (except for the quick cooking soups!)
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!
Festive Deviled Eggs- Always a crowd favorite, any occasion.

Desserts

Blackberry or Lemon Raspberry Monkey Bread Muffins- These little cuties are so quick and easy and will be a hit at your next party. Make them both!
Lemon Raspberry Fruit Pizza Recipe- Serious fruit flavor! Perfect for a crowd.
Apple Butter Crisp- warm apples with a delightful crunchy topping.

Have a super party folks!

Yum

Muffuletta Cream Cheese Roll-Up Recipe

February 1, 2016appetizers, snacksSheri SpalloneComment

Prep Time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy

This easy, tasty appetizer is an ode to my recent trip to New Orleans and my take on my new favorite sandwich, "The Muffuletta." This recipe is perfect as an appetizer for Mardi Gras, Gameday, or anytime you crave salty olives and salami (could be omitted for a vegetarian option), sweet roasted peppers, Provolone cheese, pepperoncini, and creamy cream cheese. Am I making your mouth water?

My hubby, I, and a few friends traveled to New Orleans (aka NOLA) for the first time and had the most sinfully delicious sandwich, "The Muffuletta," from The Central Grocery in The French Quarter. This enormous sandwich is made with homemade bread stuffed with layers of ham, salami, cheese, and a tasty olive salad. Seriously insane (everything in moderation, right?).

These tasty bite-sized morsels imitate the intense flavors of The Muffuletta without all the calories. For my version, instead of the traditional olive salad (found in most delis), I opted for green and black olives and provolone cheese from the olive bar at my local grocery store (you could make your own), salami, and added our sweet Pretty Peppers, and spicy Hot Banana Pepper Mustard. Oh my! Talk about a flavor party in your mouth! You have to try these flavorful morsels! They are a nod to New Orlean's "Muffuletta," but in appetizer-sized proportions, perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras, gameday, or any occasion.

Comment below if you have tried this tasty appetizer.

For more easy and delicious appetizer recipes, check out our blog (blog.cherchies.com). Thank you for visiting:) We hope you come back!

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Ingredients

1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese. softened
1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard
1/4 cup pitted green olives, chopped
1/4 cup pitted black olives, chopped
1/4 cup cubed Provolone, chopped
1/4 cup salami, chopped
1/2 jar Cherchies® Pretty Peppers, drained
1/4 cup pepperoncini (seeds removed), chopped
3 8" tortillas

Preparation

Mix the cream cheese and the Hot Banana Pepper Mustard together in a medium bowl. Chop the olives, provolone, salami, and pepperoncini into small pieces (In the first picture the salami had not been chopped fine enough). Mix in the olives, Provolone, salami, Pretty Peppers, and pepperoncini.

Generously spread cream cheese mixture over tortillas. Roll up tortillas and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (you could slice immediately, but the roll-ups are easier to slice if chilled).