Cherchies Blog

Recipe Roundup- Easy & Elegant Valentines Day Recipes

recipe round upSheri SpalloneComment
Recipe Roundup- Easy & Elegant Valentines Day Menus

Recipe Roundup- Easy & Elegant Valentines Day Menus

Why go out on Valentine's Day with all the fuss, the expense, and crowds when you can spend time with your significant other or family and have an easy and elegant meal at home?  

While I am a sucker for this seemingly cheesy holiday, I would rather spend the evening at home with my hubby and kiddos.  Some of my fondest memories of our children growing up are those little moments at home where we created something special...Strawberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes in the morning, heart-shaped, Homemade Pop Tarts as an afternoon snack, and so much more!  A little creativity can go a long way, and it does not have to be expensive, but it speaks volumes!   The humbling part?  It is when your teenager says, "Mom, are you making the heart-shaped Pop Tarts again this year?" Priceless!

Valentine's Day at home is the way to go.  So, whether you're celebrating by yourself, with your special Valentine or with your family,  we wanted to share our favorite recipes with you to help make your day extra special.  Happy Valentine's Day!"

Breakfast Ideas

Rise and Shine- Brunch or Breakfast in Bed

Lunch

Spice Things up!

Champagne Dinner

Dinner with the Family

Have a great Valentine's Day and thank you for visiting our blog!

 

 

 

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Recipe Roundup- 24 Amazing Game Day Recipes

recipe round upSheri SpalloneComment
Recipe Roundup- 24 Amazing Game Day Recipes!

Recipe Roundup- 24 Amazing Game Day Recipes!

THE EAGLES ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!  Wow!  Will someone pinch me, as I am still trying to embrace that notion?  As you can imagine, here in Pennsylvania, Super Bowl fever has struck big-time.  It is so exciting!  How will you be celebrating the big game this Sunday?  Will you have a party?  Will you spend a quiet evening at home?  Do you like football? (I won't hold it against you if you don't:).

Our Super Bowl party will be extra special this Sunday as we cheer on our beloved Philadelphia Eagles vs. The New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII (fingers crossed).  As with any game day event, celebrating is always more enjoyable with family and friends, but it is also the food that takes center stage.   Do you have your menu ready?

We have taken the guess work out of "What shall I serve for game day?"  Whether you are rooting for our determined Eagles or that "other team:)", tackle your appetite with these easy peasy game day recipes.   Arrange your food in a snack stadium (see below), and you and your hors d'oeuvres will certainly score big with your guests!

GO EAGLES!! 

"Munchdown" on these:

Hearty Game Day Food

PHILLY Cream Cheese of course!

Score a touchdown with a Snack Stadium! 

  • Arrange all your favorite recipes into a snack stadium for even more impact! 
  • Use common household items to create your Snack Stadium, such as cut up boxes, cardboard magazine holders, etc.
  • Get creative!-  Here we used our Chardonnay Guacamole Recipe as the field, our Oh Soo Simple Salsa Recipe, Pretty Pepper Hummus, and Lemon Dill Dip as the end zones.

 

 

 

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Cheesy Corn Dog Bites Recipe

appetizers, parties, snacksSheri SpalloneComment
Cheesy Corn Dog Bites Recipe

Cheesy Corn Dog Bites Recipe

Cook Time:  12 minutes

Difficulty:  Easy

Makes 32 appetizers

Do you like football?  Our home is crazily obsessed with football, and considering our favorite NFL team is in the playoffs, life is good here in Pennsylvania... unless you are a Pittsburgh fan. Game Day is all about the snacks and finger foods, so let's talk about Game Day Food.  Do you have a favorite go-to recipe? 

Cheesy Corn Dog Bites are one of our family's most requested Game Day recipes.  Although we try to eat fairly healthy, hot dogs seem to sneak into the Game Day plans on occasion.  Everything in moderation, right?  These savory wieners, enveloped in a super moist, cheesy, corn muffin and tinged with Champagne Mustard, will score a touchdown with your gang; but, grab a few for yourself because they will disappear right before your eyes.  They are "doggone" good!

Ingredients  

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Add the cornbread mix to a medium mixing bowl.  Add the egg, brown sugar, milk, and grated cheddar cheese to the bowl, and mix all ingredients thoroughly.  

In a small bowl, add the Cherchies Champagne Mustard or Cherchies Hot Banana Pepper Mustard (spicier).  Add the wiener halves to the mustard, mixing to coat. 

Lightly spray the mini muffin tins with cooking spray.  Spoon mixture into the mini muffin tins, filling them 3/4 full.  Place one half of the coated dog in the center of each muffin tin.  Cook for 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Turn on the game, and serve these corn dog bites with Champagne Mustard or ketchup!  For more Game Day recipes, check out this link on our blog!

Thank you for stopping by.  

Cheesy Corn Dog Bites Recipe

Cheesy Corn Dog Bites Recipe


 

 

 

 

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Irish Vegetable Soup Recipe

entrees, leftovers, lunch, side dishesSheri Spallone8 Comments
Irish Vegetable Soup Recipe

Irish Vegetable Soup Recipe

Happy 2018! Now that the holidays are behind us, I am sure many, like me, have a plethora of leftovers, including vegetables from the vegetable tray. Am I right? Instead of tossing the veggies, dice them up to create this unique, flavorful Irish Vegetable Soup.

Happy 2018! Now that the holidays are behind us, I am sure many, like me, have a plethora of leftovers, including vegetables from the vegetable tray. Am I right? Instead of tossing the veggies, dice them up to create this unique, flavorful Irish Vegetable Soup.


Vegetable soup is very satisfying and full of fresh vegetables and herbs, but not necessarily noteworthy, in my opinion. But travel across the ocean to The Emerald Isle (Ireland), and you will find not only breathtaking countryside with warm and friendly native folk but also delicious vegetable soup presented entirely differently than in the states. Instead of chunky vegetables swimming in a sea of full-bodied broth, the Irish version is a smooth, pureed blend of root vegetables, garlic, herbs, cream, and butter.

There is nothing like travel to cause a bit of culture shock, particularly in the cuisine, but I am rarely shocked by soup! My hubby and I traveled to Ireland last summer to celebrate our 25th Anniversary, and this humble dish graced almost every pub and fancy restaurant throughout the country. I have to admit; I was a bit skeptical at first about pureed vegetable soup, but my husband and I sheepishly smirked at each other and indulged.

Wow! If I had not been in the presence of others, I might have licked the entire bowl clean! It was so tasty and filling that I had to recreate this pool of deliciousness at home!

When I re-created this soup, I thought for sure the texture alone would send my teenagers running, but it didn't! The aroma drew them out of their rooms. "Mom, what smells so good?" "Vegetable soup," I replied. "Would you like to try it? It is Ireland's version." They liked it so much that this soup now makes a weekly appearance in our home.  

So, for my version, I used potatoes (sweet or regular), garlic, Cherchies® Garlic Seasoning, celery, parsnips, carrots, onions, and sometimes leftover vegetables, such as broccoli or spinach. And, because you puree the entire batch, even the most discerning vegetable haters might enjoy this dish. It is a great way to get your family to eat more veggies. You need to give this version of vegetable soup a try. It is easy, delicious, and satisfying, and you may never return to the chunkier version again!

Please comment below if you have tried this tasty soup.

Thank you for visiting. Please come back again.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) butter

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 2 ribs of celery, washed and diced

  • 3 carrots, peeled and diced

  • 1 parsnip, peeled and diced

  • 3 potatoes with skins on, diced (feel free to substitute sweet potatoes)

  • 1 tomato, chopped

  • 1/2 cup spinach (optional)

  • 2 cloves of garlic

  • 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) Cherchies® Garlic or Cherchies® Garlic'n Herbs Seasoning Blends, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) ground pepper

  • 2 cups vegetable broth (ok to substitute chicken broth)

  • 1/4 cup half & half (substitute fat-free greek yogurt for a lighter version)

  • Blender


Preparation  

Add butter, celery, onions, garlic, parsnips, and carrots to a large soup pot or dutch oven.  Season with 1 teaspoon (tsp) Cherchies® Garlic or Garlic'n Herbs Seasoning blend and pepper.  Sauté the vegetables, until onions are translucent.

Add the vegetable or chicken broth to the pot.  Add potatoes, tomato, and rest of the Garlic Seasoning to the soup pot.   Throw in some Kale or Spinach of leftover broccoli if you have it on hand (optional).  Simmer until potatoes are soft and then add the half and half.

Once vegetables are finished cooking, turn off the stove and allow the soup to cool for five minutes.  Now onto the blender.  Carefully add the soup ingredients to a blender, making sure to only fill the blender half-full.  You may have do a couple of batches.  To ensure the hot soup does not explode everywhere, remove the center portion of the blender to allow steam to escape and put a clean towel over top.  If you have a blender that is equipped to handle soup, then this step is not necessary.  Hold the lid covered with the towel down and puree.  Or, wait until the soup has cooled about 20 minutes or so and then puree.

Pour the pureed soup into your favorite soup bowl, serve with bread, and enjoy this tasty version of Ireland's vegetable soup!  If you are feeling fancy, carefully add a little half and half and make a fun design.   Enjoy!

Irish Vegetable Soup Recipe

Irish Vegetable Soup Recipe

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