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How to Create a Cookbook Collection
We know that lots of our customers love to cook as well as eating delicious dishes. Building a great cookbook collection can ensure that you always have tasty recipes on hand. You will be ready for a casual lunch, celebratory dinner, or even a large party.
We’ve put together some tips to help you build up a good collection in your home. Whether you are cooking for your family or just for yourself, you’ll be able to equip your kitchen for enjoyable cooking.
1. Explore a range of cooking skills
Try to pick some books that you will be able to cook from almost every day as well as some that will really challenge you. This way you can learn new skills to impress guests but you can also get inspiration for daily family meals. You could also select some books that cover specific cooking skills such as baking or confectionery.
2. Choose books that meet your dietary needs
If there is something that you cannot eat, or that you choose not to eat, then try to avoid books that feature this heavily. If you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet there are now lots of books that cater specifically to you.
3. Look for books with great photography
You’ll get a better idea of what you are making if the books that you choose have great photography. Some even include step by step pictures to help you put the dishes together. You’ll also get plating inspiration which can help you to create beautiful plates for your guests. Even if you are buying books online, you can usually explore some of the pages to see the photography style.
4. Check out second hand books
You can sometimes find great prices on cookbooks in thrift stores. You’ll also find a wide range and some books that you might not find in stores today. Exploring older books can help you find extra inspiration. You could also find some great books to borrow in your family’s kitchen for your cookbook collection. If there is something that you love to have cooked for you, then they might be able to give you the secret!
5. Make sure you have storage
You don’t want to find that your kitchen is overrun with cookbooks! Ensure that you have shelving in place to keep your books on. A cupboard can help to keep them clean and a glass door could help you to see your books at a glance. If you haven’t got much room, just pick a few key books.
6. Pick a range of cuisines
Expand your culinary horizons and you’ll be able to explore the world from the comfort of your kitchen! Think about your favorite foods to eat on holiday and pick books based on trying to cook them at home. You could even try something completely new to add to your repertoire.
We hope that these tips will help you to put together a great selection of recipe books. Which books are essential to your cookbook collection? Let us know in the comments!
What is Yogurt Cheese?
Yogurt Cheese is a lower calorie and lower fat alternatives to traditional dairy cheese. It is the creamy white cheese left over when liquid whey drains from the fresh yogurt. This is all natural and a great way to supplement your diet with calcium and protein, without adding fat. It’s low in sodium and lactose (milk sugar) but still tastes super creamy and rich!
We know that choosing healthy options is really important to many of our customers which is why we have chosen to shine the spotlight on our yogurt cheese today.
A range of flavors
We offer a Plain Yogurt Cheese, Garlic and Herb, Jalapeno, and Vegetable.
Ways to eat it
- On a bagel
We love yogurt cheese spread onto a bagel instead of cream cheese. This is a great, healthy breakfast or lunch option even when you’re on the go. We especially love our flavoured cheeses. Jalapeno will give you a great spicy kick.
- With peanut butter
Yogurt cheese can be used to lengthen products that might have a high fat content. Mix 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with 1- 2 tablespoons of cheese. The yogurt cheese takes on the flavor of the peanut butter but has lower fat.
- With mayonnaise
Just as with peanut butter, this can be used to expand your mayonnaise as it will take on the flavor. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise with 1- 2 tablespoons cheese, then eat it with salad or even chips.
- On a Baked Potato
Yogurt Cheese is delicious on a baked potato, especially our flavoured varieties. You can even mix it with sour cream, chives or herbs for a traditional flavor.
- As an alternative to whipped cream
Mix ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract into 2 tablespoons of yogurt cheese for a whipped cream alternative. Great served with berries or an apple tart.
- With Salmon
Yogurt Cheese makes a great accompaniment to fish instead of a fatty, creamy sauce.
- In a soup
Add protein to your soup without the calories by adding a couple of spoonfuls of yogurt cheese.
- As an alternative to frosting
Mix ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 cup cheese. This is great on cakes. Make sure that you chill it before spreading so that it does not melt on the cake.
- In pasta
A great way to make a creamy sauce for pasta that has plenty of flavor. Use our garlic and herb flavor and you won’t even need to add anything else. A quick, healthy dinner in minutes!
- As a chocolate mousse
Mix 1 packet of low-calorie chocolate drink mix with 1 cup of cheese. Chill in the fridge before serving.
Now you know everything you need to know about yogurt cheese! How will you try it? Let us know in the comments!
Father’s Day is Coming Up: Grab a Gift Now!
Father’s Day is coming up on June 17th, so now is the time to grab a great gift.
We know that you will all want to show your Dads how much they mean to you. This is a special day to show them your appreciation for all that they do for you. Our range of gifts is the perfect thing for the man who has everything. You’re sure to find something that will appeal to every taste.
Our Gift Box for Dad contains Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, Ohio Swiss Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Pepper Relish, and Carr’s Crackers. It’s everything that your Dad could need for a perfect Father’s Day.
Pepper Jack is a cow’s milk cheese that has been given a spicy intensity through the use of jalapeno, serrano, and habanero peppers. Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring is a chunky, all-beef bologna with a smoky taste, created by the fourth generation of the Troyer family. Don’t be fooled by imitators.
You could add a bottle of wine, beer, or scotch if you want to impress Dad even more.
We also have a whole range of gift boxes for your Dad this Father’s Day.
Our cheese lover’s box is extra cheesy! You’ll receive a 3/4Lb. wheel each of Cheddar, Cojack (Marble), Farmer’s Cheese and Pepper Jack. Just like our other boxes, you’ll find some assorted chocolates as well.
For a showstopping gift, our Baby Swiss Cheese Gift Box is certain to create a stir. It 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!
We also offer a Scotch Collection and Beer Collection for those Dads who like to pair cheese with their favorite drinks.
We can’t wait to get your Father’s Day gifts to you all and make it a great day for everyone. Please remember to check our shipping policy if you are ordering online to make sure that your gifts will arrive on time.
If you need some help to pick out a great gift, please get in touch or pop into the store to see how we can help.
Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend
As thoughts turn to the Memorial Day Weekend, we just wanted to share with you some ideas for making the most of it. Whatever you are doing to remember our veterans, the long weekend is a time to come together with friends and family.
Read our post on how to plan a dinner party and wow your guests with a beautiful table setting. If you’re trying to impress but you aren’t super experienced in the kitchen, try our post on how to start cooking from scratch. We also have tips to cater for picky eaters if you’re serving a difficult group.
If it’s hot where you are, why not try our salad ideas? If you simply need to throw something together quickly for a crowd, you can’t go wrong with a charcuterie board.
We hope that you enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend and that it’s a time for sharing food and fun with your loved ones. Let’s not forget what the day is really about, though. We remember those who have given our lives in service so that we might live. It is a true sacrifice, and for that, we are immensely grateful.
Read our post on the real origins of Memorial Day here.
Coffee Types and How to Make Them at Home
Do you love coffee? We do!
We stock Reach Coffee, speciality beans from the region of Chanchamayo, Peru roasted in Cleveland, Ohio.
Today we’re going to show you how to make a variety of different coffees so that you can get the coffee shop experience at home.
If you are using a machine or espresso maker, you will need a fine grind. If you use a press or another coffee brewing method, you can use a coarser grind, but be aware that you will need to give the coffee time to brew to your desired strength.
Americano
A shot of espresso topped up with hot water. This is probably the easiest of the coffees to make. You could add milk, but this is best drunk without.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is a shot of espresso with an equal amount of steamed and frothed milk added. To make one you will need a fine grind of your beans so that you get a strong espresso. Make an espresso shot using your coffee maker of choice, then steam your milk. Froth it using an electric whisk or a milk frother, if you have one. You are looking for a lot of foam to get the true cappuccino experience. Pour the milk on top of the coffee. Top with a sprinkling of cinnamon, cocoa or nutmeg.
Latte
A latte is half steamed milk and half espresso. It is has a lot less froth than a cappuccino. Make the coffee shot first. Froth the milk slightly and then slowly pour it down the side of the cup so that it infuses with the coffee. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even try to pour it into some latte art!
Flat White
A flat white is simply a latte without the froth! Steam your milk and pour it over a shot of espresso
Mocha
A mocha is a mix of hot chocolate and coffee. Use the best quality hot chocolate that you can find. Make it with steamed milk and then add a shot of espresso. For an extra treat, top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of grated chocolate.
You can also make a mocha by making a latte and adding some chocolate syrup to it.
Espresso con Panna
A delicious morning treat. Simply make a shot of espresso. Top with a layer of whipped cream. Enjoy!
Macchiato
A small amount of frothed milk on top of a shot of espresso. This is really simple to make, but remember that this is the classic macchiato so it might not be like the ones in your favorite coffee shops!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our quick tutorial on some of the different drinks that you can make. It really is easy to make them at home when you understand the different types. Which coffee is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
How to Create a Beautiful Table Setting
Whether you’re entertaining a large group, having your neighbors over for a weeknight supper or simply cooking at home, sometime you want to add some sparkle to your table. That’s where we come in. Read on to find all of our tableware and table decoration tips for a great table setting.
- Fresh flowers
Flowers make a huge difference to a table. Buy seasonal flowers for extra color. Place a large bouquet in the centre of the table or create small posies around the table. Mix complementary colors and consider the color scheme of your home when choosing.
- Confetti
Whilst traditional confetti might not be amazing for the environment, you can create a beautiful effect on a table with natural or reusable confetti. Try dried flower petals or felt confetti. If it’s a holiday, find something that fits with this. Sprinkle it across the table before you put anything else down.
- A Centrepiece
This really depends on the season and occasion, but putting something in the centre of the table can really draw the look together. You can use flowers or foliage, or something less natural. You could create something rustic yourself or buy something ready made. You might have a family centrepiece that you always use or you could create on that represents your family. You can even use fresh fruits and vegetables to create a beautiful look, especially during harvest season.
- Candles
Great candles not only add a great look to your table, but they provide romantic lighting. You want to use tall dinner candles on candle holders or a chandelier, so that your guests don’t need to reach over a hot flame. Choose unscented candles, as you don’t want the scent to affect your dining experience.
- A table cloth or table runner
A table cloth will cover the whole table, whereas a table runner covers the centre of the table. This is great if you’re going to put dishes on the table for people to help themselves from as it provides a layer for them to sit on. Both will protect your table but they can also look great. Consider picking a color scheme and working to it.
- Glassware
You’re going to need glassware on the table, so why not make it part of your table setting look? You don’t always have to use clear glassware, so it could fit with your color scheme. You can put out several glasses for each person. Ensure that they have symmetry at each place setting so that it looks beautiful.
We hope these tips will help you to set a table that takes your dinner to the next level. As a general rule, try to pick a color scheme or seasonal theme and run with it. Don’t be afraid to mix up your glassware and plates to create an original look.
How do you decorate your table? Let us know in the comments!
21 Cheese Street: 21 Interesting, Unique and Mind-blowing Cheese Facts
Cheese is one of the most loved and consumed foods around the world. Its a general term used to describe various milk-based products. Here are some facts that you may not know about cheese.
There is no exact information regarding the origin of cheese, archaeological studies have shown the origin of cheese dates as far back as 6000 BC. Studies also show that during that era cheese was made from cow’s milk and goats in Mesopotamia.
Fact 2
There are more than 2000 varieties of cheese available worldwide, mozzarella is the favorite around the globe, and the most consumed.
Fact 3
People of Greece are the largest consumers of cheese worldwide. An average person from Greece consumes around 27.3 kg of cheese every year, about ¾ of which is feta cheese.
Fact 4
Pizza Hut is the largest cheese-using fast food giant, it uses approximately 300 million pounds of cheese annually, mostly on pizza.
Fact 5
Cheese production around the globe is more than the combined worldwide production of coffee, tobacco, tea, and cocoa beans.
Fact 6
The first cheese factory was established in Switzerland in 1815, however successful mass production began in 1851 in the United States.
Fact 7
Contrary to popular belief cheese, eaten in moderate quantities, is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. It’s saturated fat content is responsible for its bad reputation.
Fact 8
In the United States the month of June is National Dairy Month and the last week of June is National Cheese Week.
Fact 9
Cheese can be produced using a variety of milk including cow, buffalo, goat, horse, and even camel.
Fact 10
A whopping 20 million metric tons of cheese is produced worldwide each year and production is increasing with growing demand.
Fact 11
Approximately 10 pounds of milk is required to make one pound of cheese. If it wasn’t for cheese a lot of milk would have been wasted.
Fact 12
Cheese is kept for a period of time before its ready to eat. Some varieties of cheese, blue cheese, gorgonzola, and brie are exposed to mold which helps them age properly.
Fact 13
During the Roman Empire large Roman houses had separate kitchens for manufacturing cheese only, they were called careale.
Fact 14
Some varieties of cheese like mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss and American, help prevent tooth decay. It promotes the flow of saliva which leads to elimination of sugar and acids from the mouth.
Fact 15
Another benefit associated with cheese is that it helps protect tooth enamel and has an antibacterial effect. If consumed in moderate quantities it has various health benefits.
Fact 16
Cheesemaking has been around for nearly 4,000 years, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.Though no one really knows who made the very first cheese, historical records indicate that travelers from Asia brought their technique of cheesemaking to Europe before the Roman Empire.
Fact 17
Today, there are over over 2,000 varieties of cheeses.
As a country, the U.S. produces the most cheese in the world annually.
Fact 19
U.S. per capita cheese consumption is about 34 pounds per person—that’s more than one full ton of cheese during the average lifetime. The French eat the most cheese, putting away an average of 57 pounds per person a year.
Fact 20
Mozzarella cheese is the biggest-selling cheese variety in the U.S., followed by Cheddar.
Fact 21
The world’s most expensive sandwich is Serendipity’s “Quintessential Grilled Cheese” made with Caciocavallo Podolico cheese, a rare Italian variety made from the milk of free-ranging cows fed a diet of fennel grasses and wild strawberries, with a truffle spread and gold flakes. It retails for $214.
Check out “Amazing Facts about Jaggery”
Want more cheese history, facts and tastes, stop by Shisler’s Cheese House to get all the latest 101 on everything cheese!
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How to Plan a Dinner Party
If you’re anything like us, you love throwing a dinner party!
Today we’re giving you our tips for hosting a fun soirée. If you’ve never cooked for a group, or you want to tackle a meal with several courses, read on to find out how to make it possible.
1. Plan your menu with plenty of time to spare
If you’re serving several courses then you’ll want to make sure that you plan ahead. Give yourself time to pick up all of your groceries. Try to plan so that you can make almost everything ahead of the party. You want to be able to spend time with your guests and enjoy their company instead of being stuck at the stove. If you can pre-make everything then you’ll just need to warm, finish and garnish your dishes on the night. Make sure that you check if your guests have any dietary requirements so that you can cater to them.
2. Enlist your guest’s help
Your guests are coming for a dinner party but they aren’t expecting you to do everything! Ask your guests to bring along a dish or a side. You could ask someone to bring the salad course or a side dish to go with your carefully selected main. If you’re happy to cook the food but need some help with the entertainment, you could ask a guest to bring along a board game or even create a quiz for you all to play.
3. Mix your guests up
Don’t be afraid to mix people from different parts of your life. Sometimes it’s easy to stick to the same group of friends or to only meet with family but it’s fun to host diverse groups who might not have met each other before. If you think your sister might get along famously with your colleague or you want your best friend to meet your partner’s best friend then get them together for a dinner party!
4. Plan drinks that add to the fun
Whilst a good bottle of wine on the table is great for a dinner party, you might want to start with a round of cocktails. You could even provide your guests with ingredients and start with a competition to make the best cocktails. If you can start with great drinks and encourage your guests to get to know each other then you have time to complete your last minute preparations.
5. Think about dishes and flatware
If you’re serving several courses, you need to make sure that you have enough dishes to serve all of them without frantically washing up between each course. You could get creative with smaller dishes like ramekins or large wooden boards for sharing courses if you don’t have enough traditional plates and bowls. You can also hire dishes to use for the occasion or even ask your guests to bring some along. The same goes for glasses. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, but do check ahead of time so that you’re prepared.
Have we inspired you to plan a dinner party? Let us know what you’re planning in the comments!
Show Your Love This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and it’s time to start preparing to show your loved ones your affection.
We’ve created two fabulous gift boxes that are sure to hit the right note on February 14th.
Our Valentine’s Day All Chocolate Gift Box is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Inside you’ll find a Heggy’s Solid Milk Chocolate Heart, Chocolate Cheese, Heggy’s Milk Chocolate Turtles, and two kinds of chocolate covered fruit!
With this much chocolate packed in, your loved ones will be thinking of you for a long time.
For inspiration on how to use the chocolate cheese, check out our recent blog post.
Our Valentine’s Day Gift Box combines some of our favorite treats. Inside you’ll find Havarti Cheese, a Heggy’s Milk Chocolate Heart, Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl Fudge, Strawberry Caramel Creams and Yogurt Covered Cranberries.
This is the ideal gift if you’re preparing a special dinner and want to have cheese and sweet treats to complete the evening.
Wine pairings
If you want to serve up some wine along with your gift boxes, you have several options.
To complement the Havarti Cheese, a merlot or chardonnay would both work well. Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cow’s milk cheese with a buttery aroma and a sweet, sometimes nutty, taste. These wines will complement the flavors whilst matching its smooth texture.
If you want to pair wine with the chocolate, you need to find something that is slightly sweeter. A dessert wine such as Moscato or Sauternes is ideal for this. For something lighter, try a sweet Riesling. This will also work well with the Strawberry and Cream flavor
Whether you’re a new couple or celebrating years of marriage, Valentine’s Day is the time to take a moment to appreciate those that we love.
We don’t want to be too cheesy (!), but we love all of our Shisler’s Cheese House customers! Happy Valentine’s Day!
