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Christmas Wines: How to Choose a Great Selection
With Christmas fast approaching, we have put together a great selection of Christmas wines for you to serve over the festive period.
Christmas wines with turkey
If you’re serving a traditional turkey and all the trimmings this year, then you’ll want a wine that complements each of the flavors without being overpowering. Luckily, turkey is versatile enough that you can serve a variety of wines with it depending on your personal tastes. A full-bodied, oaky white wine such as a Chardonnay or a White Burgundy can be a good choice. For red wine, a Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir is a great choice. You’re looking for something that doesn’t have too much tannin, but that has a little acidity to cut through the richness of the meal.
Christmas wines with dessert
Whatever you choose to eat for dessert over the holidays, you’ll need a wine that can stand up to sweetness in abundance. Try a Muscat for lighter, fruity desserts or a Sauternes for richer flavors including chocolate. A port is a great after-dinner wine and excellent if you are serving a cheeseboard instead of a sweet dessert.
Sparkling Christmas wines
For some, it really isn’t Christmas until you’ve heard the pop of a cork and the sparkle of fizz in your glass. Whilst champagne might be the first option that comes to mind, there are lots of wines to explore if you are looking for some fizz for your Christmas table. If you want to splash out, then you could go ahead and pick up a French champagne, but you can also find fantastic Blanc de Blancs made right here in the United States. If you prefer something a little sweeter, try Prosecco, which has the added benefit of being more budget friendly.
Serving at the right temperature
One of the best ways to ensure that all of your wine pairings work well is to make sure that you serve the wines at the correct temperature. Light red wines such as those above should be served at room temperature, whilst a full-bodied white wine only needs chilling for 1 – 2 hours before serving. Sparkling wines can be served slightly cooler.
Remember that your Christmas table is a celebration of everything you love, so choose wines that you know that you will enjoy. If you can, ask to try them in store before you buy. There’s no need to splash out on something that you’re not sure about just because it’s Christmas if there is a wine that you always love to serve.
Which Christmas wines do you love? Let us know in the comments!
Havarti Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
Today we continue our profiles of cheeses with a look at a Danish treat: Havarti cheese.
What is Havarti Cheese?
Havarti Cheese or Cream Havarti (Fløde Havarti in Danish) is a semi-soft Danish cow’s milk cheese. It is rindless, with a smooth surface and a cream or yellow color depending on the type. It has very small and irregular eyes (holes).
It has a buttery aroma and a generally sweet taste with a slightly acidic tang. It can be sharp in the stronger varieties, resembling Swiss cheese.
We also stock Havarti with Dill and Havarti with Caraway for those looking for additional flavor. Dill combines the flavors of fennel, anise, and celery, with a slight bitterness, whilst caraway has a very pungent, earthy anise flavor.
How is Havarti Cheese made?
Havarti cheese was initially created by Hanne Nielsen who operated an experimental farm called Havarthigaard, in Øverød, north of Copenhagen, in the mid-19th century. It is made like most cheeses, by introducing rennet to milk to cause curdling. The curds are pressed into cheese molds which are drained, and then the cheese is aged. Havarti is a washed curd cheese, which contributes to the subtle flavor of the cheese.
It will usually be aged for around three months. As it ages it becomes saltier and nuttier.
How should I eat it?
Havarti is a table cheese that is suitable for slicing, grilling, or melting. When left at room temperature the cheese tends to soften quickly so it is great on a cheeseboard alongside hard cheeses.
It is delicious melted into pasta dishes including macaroni cheese or incorporated into a grilled cheese sandwich. Havarti even works well when grated onto a pizza with mozzarella. You can make an excellent cheese sauce with it that will pair well with grilled chicken and vegetables.
Because of its creaminess, it stands up well to spice. You can use it in recipes that call for chilies and it also pairs very well with the heat of horseradish. Try Havarti with Dill in cauliflower dishes for a fun combination of tastes.
If you are serving it as part of a cheeseboard, slice a few thin slices off the block to show your guests that this is a fantastic way to enjoy it. Serve it with fresh fruits and honey, as well as savory crackers and cured meats. Try our Streb Meats Fresh Smoked Sausage as a starting point.
What should I drink with this cheese?
The smooth, creamy flavor of Havarti goes well against most red wines. It can stand up to the high alcohol flavors of Zinfandel or Shiraz, but it is subtle enough to enjoy with a soft Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you prefer white wine, try a Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, as the fruity flavors of both will complement the butteriness of the cheese. You could even try it with a light weiss beer or saison.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our exploration of Havarti cheese today. How do you like to enjoy it? Let us know in the comments!
Christmas Gifts from Shisler’s Cheese House!
We love to help you celebrate Christmas here at Shisler’s Cheese House! We’ve got some great gifts this year to help you show your loved ones how much you care.
Earlier this week, we shared our new Deluxe Gift Box, which has everything you could wish for over the holiday season.
If you need a small gift or something to keep in stock for those unexpected guests that drop in, then our Gift Mug with Heggy’s Chocolate is a great choice. We absolutely love these chocolates as they are simply the highest quality. They’re inside a mug that will remind you of us when you’re sipping your morning coffee.
For those who are difficult to buy for, we created the Cheez-E-Gift Certificate. You’ll be provided with a code immediately after checkout, so they’re perfect for last minute gifts or those moments where you didn’t realize you would have guests! They can also be mailed to you if you would prefer to have something physical to give to your loved ones in person. Gift certificates can be spent across our full range in multiple transactions so that the recipient can enjoy a year’s worth of trying different cheeses or splurge in one go on all their favorite chocolates and gourmet snacks.
Our full range of gift boxes offers everything from a selection of cheeses to a box for those who love chilies and spice. There’s something for your sweet-toothed friend and your uncle who loves Scotch. Check out the full range and get shopping today!
Please do check our shipping policy to make sure that any order will be shipped to you in time for Christmas and avoid any disappointment. Remember, you can always visit us in store for help and advice with your gift shopping in the run up to the holidays.
Introducing our new Deluxe Gift Box!
We’re super excited to share our new Deluxe Gift Box with you today here at Shisler’s Cheese House.
It contains more of our favorite Amish products than ever:
- Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring 1 Lb.
- Shisler’s Gift Mug with 1/2 Pound of Heggy’s Chocolates
- Shisler’s Private Label Apple Butter
- Shisler’s Private Label Hot Mustard
- Wheel of Colby 3/4 Lb.
- Wheel of Cojack (Marble) 3/4 Lb.
- Block of Swiss Cheese
- Baby Swiss Cheese Wedge
- Summer Sausage Link
- Crackers
- Muffin mix
- Shisler’s Cheese House T-Shirt
The Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring is a chunky, all-beef bologna with a smoky taste, created by the fourth generation of the Troyer family.
Our gift mug is a new edition to the range so that lovers of Shisler’s Cheese House can share their pride as they drink their morning coffee. We’ve filled it with 1/2 a pound of Heggy’s Chocolates. We are super proud to include Heggy’s Chocolates in our boxes. They match our tradition of excellence in hand-crafted chocolates.
Shisler’s Private Label Apple Butter is made from the best locally grown Apples and locally produced Amish Butter, perfect for spreading on toast or stirring into your recipes. We also love our Private Label Mustard, which can be used as a dipping mustard or spread into sandwiches.
Colby cheese is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese native to the United States. It is very mild and creamy. It goes through a washed-curd process, rather than a traditional Cheddar process, making it slightly softer. It is an excellent table cheese and works well in salads because of its mild taste.
Cojack cheese is a blend of Monterey Jack and Colby cheese, marbled together to create a striking effect. Monterey Jack is a buttery, semi-firm cheese which originated in California. It is usually only aged for around a month, making it a fresh, fairly soft cheese to enjoy.
Swiss Cheese is a holey, semi-hard cheese with a creamy color. It has a nutty, slightly piquant flavor whilst simultaneously being somewhat creamy. It’s delicious in a sandwich or served cut into cubes alongside salads and hams. It works well with most meats and is particularly good with a beef burger.
You’ll also get a wedge of Baby Swiss Cheese, which substitutes water for the milk’s whey to slow the bacterial action. This creates smaller holes and a milder flavor. With all of this cheese, we’ve given you crackers so that you have something to enjoy it with!
Summer Sausage can be kept without refrigeration, which is how it gained its name. Ours is smoked, rather than dried, with a tangy taste. It’s certainly too good to be kept for only the Summer season.
We know this is going to make an amazing gift for some of your loved ones during the holiday season. Snap one up today!
10% Off Gift Boxes with our Black Friday deals
We hope that you have all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now that Black Friday is upon us we wanted to share some great deals that we have for you.
We’re offering 10% off on gift boxes 1 to 6, all of which are perfect for gifting to your loved ones this year. Simply use the coupon code BLOG18 to get your discount!
Gift Box #1: Baby Swiss Cheese
Having the whole family around during the holiday season? Grab this gift box that contains a whole 4Lb. Baby Swiss Cheese Wheel. Our Baby Swiss is made in Charm Ohio, by the original producer Guggisberg Cheese. It is a young, semi-soft whole milk cheese with small holes and a mild flavor. It also comes with chocolates for those with a sweet tooth!
Gift Box #2: Troyer’s Trail Bologna and Cheese
In this gift box, you’ll receive a 1Lb. Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring. This is a chunky, all-beef bologna with a smoky taste, created by the fourth generation of the Troyer family. You’ll also find a 3/4Lb. wheel of Farmer’s cheese and a 3/4Lb. wheel of Colby cheese. Farmer’s Cheese is a mild, unripened white cheese made by adding rennet to cow’s milk. It’s a firm and crumbly cheese; the perfect accompaniment to smoked meats. The Colby cheese provides a lovely contrast, as it is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese with a mild and creamy taste. We always pop in some assorted chocolates for those after-dinner cravings.
As the name suggests, this really is a cheesy box! You’ll receive a 3/4Lb. wheel each of Cheddar, Cojack (Marble), Farmer’s Cheese and Pepper Jack. Marble Cheese is made from both Colby and Monterey Jack cheese, which is why it is sometimes called “Cojack”. Pepper Jack is a cow’s milk cheese that has been given a spicy intensity through the use of jalapeno, serrano, and habanero peppers. Along with the classics Cheddar and Farmer’s Cheese, you’re sure to have the best cheese board in the neighborhood.
Gift Box #4: Amish Cheese and Goodies
This is the perfect box for a party, or to give to someone who really deserves a treat during this season. Inside you will find a 1Lb. Baby Swiss Cheese Wheel, 1 Summer Sausage Link, a 3/4Lb. wheel each of Colby and Pepper Jack cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Home Style Amish Jam, Carr’s Crackers, Assorted Chocolates, and 6oz. of REACH Coffee.
Gift Box #5: Baby Swiss Cheese and Troyer’s Trail Bologna
A classic Amish Country combination. This box contains a 4Lb. Baby Swiss Cheese Wheel, a large Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Carr’s Crackers, Assorted Chocolates and 6oz. of REACH coffee.
REACH coffee is a specialty grade coffee from the region of Chanchamayo, Peru, which is then roasted in Cleveland, Ohio. Perfect for those after dinner pick-me-ups.
Gift Box #6: Amish Country Sampler Gift Box
This box is the King of gift boxes. You’ll need help to carry this one! It contains a Large Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, a box of Heggy’s Chocolates, Home Style Amish Jam, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Jalapeno Mustard, a 3/4Lb. wheel each of Cheddar, Cojack (Marble), Farmer’s Cheese and Pepper Jack, a Baby Swiss Cheese Wedge, a Summer Sausage Link, Townhouse Crackers and 6oz. of REACH Coffee.
We also have a Cyber Monday Special, which is already available, on a fantastic gift box for just $39.99 with shipping included. It includes 1 1/2 Lb. Ring of Original Troyer’s Trail Bologna, 2 Lb. Wheel of Baby Swiss Cheese and an 8 Oz. Jar of Shisler’s Private Label Mustard. This would make a great gift but it’s also a perfect addition to your store cupboard for those moments of entertaining over the holiday season.
Happy shopping this Black Friday!
Get Prepared with Our Thanksgiving Checklist
We know that you will all be excited for Thursday, so we’ve put together a Thanksgiving Checklist to make sure that you’re completely ready for the festivities.
1. The Turkey
You need a turkey! Now is also the time to make sure that you have a big enough dish to cook your turkey in. If you’re brining your turkey, then check that you have a large receptacle to keep it in. You’ll want to start this process up to 24 hours before you are ready to roast.
2. The Sides
You’ll know which sides are family favorites, but you might also be trying to branch out a little, especially if it’s your first time hosting. Make sure that you have all the vegetables in advance. You can also start prepping and storing them ahead of time so that everything is simple on the day. If you are making stuffing, stock up on ingredients and dry out your bread.
3. The Sauces
Cranberry sauce and gravy are absolute essentials that can both be made ahead.
4. Dessert
Whether you’re buying your desserts or making them, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without a sweet treat.
5. Drinks
Make sure that you have stocked up on a range of wines and beers. You might want spirits to make cocktails and you’ll also need non-alcoholic options for little ones and those who are driving. Put anything that needs to be chilled into the refrigerator ahead of time.
6. Snacks
For those moments when you get last-minute guests or you all need a snack as you settle down in front of the TV. Make this even easier by picking up our Thanksgiving Menu Collection. It includes Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, Cheddar Cheese, Cranberry Delight Mix, Shisler’s Private Label Apple Butter, Pumpkin Muffin Mix, and Uncle Ozgood’s Popcorn on the Cob. It’ll tick this straight off your Thanksgiving checklist without any stress at all.
7. Table settings
Whether you prefer a minimalist or plentiful style, it makes the day seem like an occasion if you set a table. Use your best dishes and flatware, light candles and create a centerpiece that will welcome your guests.
8. Prepare for house guests
If you are having house guests, prepare for their arrival. Make sure the beds have clean linens and that you’ve collected together any supplies that will be needed. Providing the WiFi password written down somewhere will stop people asking you for it when you are preparing dinner, although you might want to take the opposite approach and ask people to put their phones away at the door!
9. Prepare for leftovers
Make sure that you have bread in the house for turkey sandwiches! Collect some boxes ready for guests to take away leftover treats to enjoy in the days after Thanksgiving.
10. Entertain the kids
If you’ve got kids coming to your celebration, collect together a few activities to keep them happy whilst the adults are chatting.
We hope that our Thanksgiving checklist has helped you to prepare for a wonderful day. We’re wishing you all a brilliant Thanksgiving, whether you’re celebrating with family or friends.
Thanksgiving Make-Ahead Recipes
Relieve the stress of entertaining over the holiday season with our selection of Thanksgiving make-ahead recipes that will keep the whole family happy.
Thanksgiving Make-Ahead: Mashed Potatoes
You can make your mashed potatoes up to two days ahead of time. Cool them and then simply store in an airtight container in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, put the mashed potatoes in a pan with a small amount of milk or cream. Warm up over a low heat, continually stirring to avoid any of the potatoes becoming burnt.
Thanksgiving Make-Ahead: Cranberry Sauce
If you like to make cranberry sauce, you can cool, cover and chill it for up to a week before serving. This is great if you want to get everything prepared the weekend before Thanksgiving. It also means that you have cranberry sauce on hand if it is required as an ingredient for any of the other cooking preparations. Of course, you can buy cranberry sauce, but it is a nice relaxing activity to make your own and can be a great task for kids as long as they are careful about the heat.
Thanksgiving Make-Ahead: Dinner Rolls
When making bread, there are several ways to make it ahead to reduce the amount that you need to do on the day. You can make and shape the dough into rolls, or even a loaf if that’s what you prefer, and then cover it and chill. This will stop the dough from rising. You can then take them from the fridge when you are ready to let them rise. This can take around 3 hours, and then they will be ready to bake.
Alternatively, prove and bake your dough ahead of time and freeze the rolls. Then you’ll simply need to remove them from the freezer the evening before ready to eat for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Make-Ahead: Pie!
Whatever pie your family holds dear as their favorite, there are ways to make them ahead so that you can take your time over the sweet treats. You can make the crust ahead of time and chill it for 2 days before use. You could also make the filling and store it in an airtight container, ready for assembly the night before. Making your pies the day before means that they can simply sit in the refrigerator ready to be warmed when the time comes to eat them.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our selection of Thanksgiving make-ahead recipes and they have given you some inspiration to help you prepare over the next week. Let us know how you get ahead in the comments!
We’ve made entertaining a crowd easier than ever this year with our Thanksgiving Menu Collection. It contains a Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, Cheddar Cheese, Cranberry Delight Mix, Shisler’s Private Label Apple Butter, Pumpkin Muffin Mix, and Uncle Ozgood’s Popcorn on the Cob. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and you can use the pumpkin muffin mix for another great Thanksgiving make-ahead that will save you time when your guests arrive.
Brick Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
We love to help you explore cheeses that you might not have tried before here at Shisler’s Cheese House. Today we are introducing you to the delicious Brick Cheese.
What is Brick Cheese?
Brick Cheese is a medium-soft cheese that is made in the form of a large rectangular or brick shape. It may also be named “brick” because the cheese curds are pressed with clay-fired bricks. Its color ranges from pale yellow to white.
How does it taste?
It has a sweet and mild flavor when young, and matures into a strong ripe cheese with age. It crumbles easily and is a little sticky to the knife when sliced.
How is Brick Cheese made?
Brick Cheese is an American original, produced in Wisconsin. Whilst the cheese making process is similar to American Cheddar, it is cultured at a slightly higher temperature which gives it a marginally higher fat content and slightly alters the protein structure. The cheese has a slightly softer taste with a sharper finish than regular Cheddar.
It was created in 1877 by John Jossi, a Swiss-born American cheese maker. Jossi came to the states in 1857 from Switzerland with his parents at the age of 12. The family settled first in upstate New York, but later Jossi moved to Richwood, in southwest Wisconsin. He envisioned a cheese made with curd that was drier than that used for the Limburger he had produced in the factories he worked in. He came up with the idea of using bricks to press the cheese, creating the shape that we know today.
How should it be eaten?
Brick Cheese is often served with corn polenta in the Midwest, where it is thinly sliced and melted underneath the polenta and then topped with tomato sauce.
It is also great for slicing and melts well, making it a delicious choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. This cheese goes very well with pickles, so it is perfect for adding flavor to a burger. Try it in your macaroni cheese or melted in potatoes gratin. You can even use it on pizza!
What should I drink with it?
If you like red wine, we recommend something fruity like a Beaujolais or Syrah to pair with brick cheese. White wines with peachy, tropical notes such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc are both good choices. This is also a great cheese to serve if you or your guests prefer beer, as it pairs well with Bock, lager and even stout.
How do you like to eat Brick Cheese? Let us know in the comments.
Veteran’s Day: Let’s Show Our Appreciation
With Veteran’s Day approaching this weekend, we wanted to share our Veteran’s Day Care Package with you.
This is a great way to remind our heroes that we still appreciate all they do! It is perfect as a gift for our veterans or as active duty military care packages. We have included less perishable options than some of our other gift boxes, for those who wish to send a care package to military personnel stationed overseas.
There really is nothing like a little taste of home to let our men and women in uniform know they are appreciated. We will ship to any FPO-AP address via U.S. Postal service. We will also show our appreciation for our men and women in uniform by donating a portion of the proceeds from every package sold to The Wounded Warrior Project.
The Veteran’s Day Care Package Includes:
- Baby Swiss Cheese Wheel (2 Lbs.)
- Trail Bologna Ring or Beef Jerky (In non-perishable option)
- Clem’s Hot Pepper Relish – delicious with cheese and crackers!
- Banana Split Mix – cranberries, banana chips, almonds, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate drops, pineapple tidbits, raisins, yogurt covered peanuts, peanuts, and yogurt drops all mixed together for a great trail mix
- Amish Peanut Butter Spread
- Amish Homestyle Jam
- Carr’s Crackers
We know that you love to show your appreciation and, to us, food is the perfect way to do that.
Here at Shisler’s Cheese House, we also make a range of gift boxes if the Veteran’s Care Package isn’t quite right for you.
Our Football Season Special is perfect for sports lovers. It contains Swiss Cheese, Troyer’s Trail Bologna, Pepper Jack Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Pepper Relish, and Carr’s Crackers.
The Fall Harvest Collection celebrates the best flavors of fall in Amish Country. You’ll find Baby Swiss Cheese (2 Lbs.), Streb Meats Smoked Sausage (1 Lb.), Cranberry Delight (1 Lb.), Pumpkin Muffin Mix, Pumpkin Butter, and Popcorn on the Cob inside.
If you want to show your support to a beer and cheese lover, then our Beer Collection is absolutely the gift for you. It contains enough Brick, Gouda, Gruyere, and Ohio Premium Swiss Cheese to entertain 20 people. These cheeses have been chosen for their strong flavors which pair beautifully with beer. We recommend trying out a few different beers to compare the tasting experience.
Finally, our Hot Stuff Collection has everything that you might need for someone who lives spice and heat. Enjoy trying Hot Pepper Cheese, Habanero Cheese, Troyer’s Trail Bologna with Hot Pepper Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Pepper Relish, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Jalapeno Mustard, Hot Pepper Jelly, and Carr’s Crackers. Be warned, you might need a cooling glass of milk on hand.
Do get in touch if you have any questions about any of our gift boxes, but especially if you would like to get a Veteran’s Day care package for a special someone to recognise their service this month.
We’d also love for you to take a look at the work of the Wounded Warrior Project and consider supporting them in their efforts.
What is Bonfire Night? How to Celebrate the British Tradition
We love to explore traditions from around the world here at Shisler’s Cheese House. Today we’re taking you over the pond to find out all about how the British celebrate Bonfire Night.
What is Bonfire Night?
The traditional phrase goes “Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder Treason and Plot”.
Bonfire Night, sometimes also known as Guy Fawkes’ Night, falls on November 5th, and celebrates the night that Guy Fawkes failed in his Gunpowder Plot to assassinate King James I of England and VI of Scotland in 1605.
Guy Fawkes and a group of others tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London with barrels of gunpowder. They hid them in the basement of the building and Guy Fawkes was left to guard them but he was discovered before the plot could take place.
A year later in 1606 the Thanksgiving Act was passed stating that November 5th would be a day of celebration. Fireworks and bonfires were chosen as a suitable way to celebrate.
How is it celebrated?
Bonfires are often lit and fireworks display light up the night sky with bring colors.
Some people will put on displays at home but it is more common for families to go to large displays together with their community. There are sometimes fairground rides and food stalls for everyone to enjoy.
It used to be traditional to burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes on the bonfire, but this has now ceased in many places. There are still some other traditional activities, however, such as in Ottery St Mary, Devon, where people chase each other through the streets with flaming tar barrels!
Which foods are enjoyed on Bonfire Night?
The night is all about enjoying cozy, warming foods that help you to enjoy the cold evening. Soups and baked potatoes are some of the most classic foods that everyone can enjoy together. Lots of sweet treats are on offer, especially caramel apples and crunchy toffee. Hot dogs and burgers are quick and easy to eat off the fire and you can sometimes find people enjoying toasted marshmallows.
What about drinks?
A hot apple cider is a brilliant Bonfire Night drink that keeps everyone warm, but hot chocolate is also a popular choice. Sometimes the adults will indulge in a glass of mulled (spiced) wine.
Have you ever celebrated a traditional Bonfire Night? Let us know in the comments!
