Search Results for: chocolate
Hiking? The Snacks to Take Along With You
As the weather warms up, we know that some of you will be heading into the outdoors for some hiking. Whether you’re tackling a gentle walk or your nearest mountain, we’ve got the snacks to keep you fueled up.
1. Trail Mix
The clue is absolutely in the name. When you’re on the trail, eat trail mix.
Our original trail mix is packed with nuts and dried fruit. Our diet trail mix is great if you’re hiking to get fit. Buggy trail mix has butter toffee peanuts, honey roasted sesame sticks, cheddar crackers, pretzel nuggets, and wheat crackers. They’re sure to keep you walking even when the going gets tough.
We also offer a banana split mix which contains cranberries, banana chips, almonds, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate drops, pineapple tidbits, raisins, yogurt covered peanuts, peanuts, and yogurt drops. You could also try Mikey’s Mix which is packed with nuts and chocolate treats in case you need an extra incentive to keep hiking.
If you’ve got time, you could try making your own trail mix. Check out our gourmet foods section and pick your favorite things to mix up.
2. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a great source of energy while you’re hiking. We especially love dried strawberries, kiwi, banana chips, and pineapple.
We also offer Think Fruit Dried Fruit Snacks in a variety of flavors, packaged up and ready for you to take out on the trail.
3. Jerky
Jerky is full of protein which makes it perfect for hiking. Try our Uncle Mike’s Beef Jerky, which we offer in Mild, Hot or Teriyaki flavor. It’s easy to pack and pull out as you’re walking.
4. Nuts
We have a great range of nuts including peanuts, pistachios, and cashews. They’re a healthy source of protein and fats. You can even create your own mixes of them or take along sachets of nut butter to snack on.
5. Energy bars
There are loads of different energy bars out there, but most of them are great for keeping you on the go. Take your favorites along with you hiking and remember to pack a few for your friends as well.
We hope that these ideas will help you to plan your next hiking trip. Remember to take plenty of water along with you to keep hydrated. Make sure that you plan your route and take along a map to keep you safe. Appropriate footwear, layers and waterproof clothing will keep you warm and dry – we know that the weather can be unpredictable sometimes!
Where is your favorite hiking spot? What snacks do you like to take along? Let us know in the comments!
How to Create a Charcuterie Board
We’ve shown you how to create a balanced cheeseboard before, but today we want to help you create a great charcuterie board. Add a bottle of wine, and you’ve got a party! Read on to find out about all of our tips. We hope that it will inspire you to host your family or friends and treat them to a selection of your favorites.
- Think about colors and textures
You want to make your charcuterie board as vibrant and interesting as possible. Try to include a variety of colors and textures that will entice your guests. After all, they do say that we eat with our eyes first. Arrange the board so that the colors create contrast and draw you in.
- Create abundance
Try to make your board look as full as possible so that it seems like there is a real abundance of fantastic food on offer. If you’re serving a small group, use a smaller board so that you can still pile the produce high. Try layering each item up so that there is enough for all of your guests. You want them to be able to try everything instead of holding back.
- Include a variety of flavors
This is probably the easiest part of the process. Select some of your favorite meats, but try to think about your guests as well. Include both smoked and non-smoked meats, as well as sausage styles. Check out our selection – you’re sure to find something for every palate.
4. Add seasonal fruit
This is a great way to add color and flavor to your board. It will also give your guests a chance to experiment with different flavors. Classics would be apples or figs, but we know that you’ll find something original to try.
5. Find great jams, pickles, and preserves
We love adding pots of delicious preserves to a charcuterie board. Simply serve the jar and a spoon to encourage your guests not to be shy to try them. This will look much more elegant than trying to spoon it onto the board. Check out our Jams & Jellies and Pickles & Peppers sections.
6. Try something unexpected
Everyone has seen a charcuterie board with some simple cheeses and meats, so try to add an element of surprise. You could try nuts, crackers in unusual flavors or other snacks to add crunch to the board. You could even serve some chocolate for your guests to try. Experiment with your own ideas and see what your guests love.
We hope that you have enjoyed our charcuterie board tips. As always, try out different things to find the ones that you and your family love. Remember, if you pop into the store we are always on hand to help you pick out brilliant pairings. We can also recommend wine to drink with your charcuterie and cheese.
What would be on your perfect charcuterie board? Let us know in the comments!
Peanut Butter: The Perfect Addition to your Baking
We love finding new baking ideas and we also love peanut butter, so today we are combining the two to share with you some fun ideas for baking with peanut butter.
- Peanut Butter Cookies
Best served with a glass of milk, these are a true classic. Add peanut butter to your cookie batter or spread it on top. You can go for straight peanut butter or add chocolate – choose your favorite. Cookies also make great ice cream sandwiches!
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Mix the peanut butter into the cheese, use peanut butter cookies in the base, or even create a peanut butter topping. You could even chop some Heggy’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Creams and stir them in. However you decide to bring peanut butter into your cheesecake, you know that it will be delicious.
- Peanut Butter Brownies
Take your favorite brownie batter and swirl in some peanut butter. You could even add a crunchy topping with some crushed up Peanut Butter Pretzels. Try a blondie with white chocolate if you have a really sweet tooth.
- Peanut Butter S’mores
Just when you thought s’mores couldn’t get any better, we added peanut butter! You can do this in a couple of different ways. Either make a normal s’more and add a smear of peanut butter to one of your graham crackers or replace your chocolate with a peanut butter cup. You could even add some caramel if you want a real treat.
5. Peanut Butter Pancakes
Pancakes aren’t just for breakfast. They make a great dessert too! This filling will work for both. Put peanut butter, chocolate chips and slices of banana in your crepes before rolling them up.
6. Peanut Butter Sundae
Create a sauce by heating 3 parts caramel, 1 part peanut butter and 1 part milk until it is smooth. Pour it into the bottom of your sundae glass. Layer it with ice cream, banana, caramel, and any other ingredients that you like. Top with a sprinkling of chopped peanuts.
7. Peanut Butter Popcorn
Combine peanut butter with syrup to drizzle over popcorn. This is a messy treat so make sure that you have cloths on hand to clean up!
8. Protein bars
If you want to create a healthier treat that will give you plenty of energy, make a peanut butter based protein bar. These can be made with peanut butter, honey, protein powder, and oatmeal, but there are lots of different recipes out there.
Have you been inspired to bake with peanut butter? Then pick up a jar of our Amish Peanut Butter Spread today. Made locally from a special blend of all natural ingredients, it’s sweet and creamy, with a soft and silky texture, perfect for baking.
If you plan to serve these at a party or take them along to an event, please be careful to ensure that no-one present has a nut allergy and always label your dish stating its ingredients. We would hate for someone’s baking to become a health risk.
What to Serve at Your Easter Table
Earlier this week, we shared with you our Easter gift ideas including fantastic Easter baskets and beautiful chocolate bunnies. Today, we’re here to help you with your Easter lunch or dinner. Serve up these simple, but fun, dishes and you’re sure to create a day to remember. After all, coming together with family and friends is all about creating memories. We’ve given you an idea for an appetizer, entree, dessert and a cake, so read on to find out everything that you need to know.
Deviled Eggs
We all know that it isn’t Easter without eggs. Deviled eggs make a great starter or canape. They can be prepared in advance so that your guests can enjoy them whilst you finish preparing your meal. This is especially great if you will be at church in the morning and then preparing lunch. It often feels like everyone has a family recipe for deviled eggs, but the basic is to hard boil eggs, mix the yolks with mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper, and disperse this onto the egg whites. Sprinkle them with paprika and serve. If you have a special trick, then let us know in the comments!
Roasted Leg of Lamb
This is a classic at Easter. Use a simple rub of lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper. Roast your lamb with some garlic cloves that can be used to make delicious gravy. Serve it with plenty of vegetables, but especially go for spring flavors like carrots, green beans, radishes and beets.
Scalloped Potatoes
A great side dish, especially when it’s spring and heavier potato dishes like mash seem too much. Use fresh cream for an extra decadent dish. You can even mix in some gruyere for a twist on the classic.
Jello Bunny
This retro option is one to make if you have children attending your party. Grab a bunny shaped jello mould and fill it with your favourite flavor of jello. Leave it to set. Make a separate bowl of green jello. When the time comes to serve, chop the green jello up and lay it on a platter to look like grass. Turn the bunny out onto the grass and serve.
Simnel Cake
This is a traditional cake made in Britain to celebrate Easter. You might not have tried it before but it’s delightful and fairly unchallenging to prepare ahead of time. It is a light fruit cake, packed with dried fruit and a layer of almond paste in the middle. It is topped with a marzipan layer and eleven marzipan balls, which each represent the disciples. The top is briefly grilled to give it a toasted, nutty flavour. You can try making this at home or it may be stocked in some stores that sell British goods.
We hope that you have enjoyed our Easter ideas. We want to take the opportunity to wish all of our customers a very Happy Easter. As always, we are grateful to have you. We’d love to hear how you will be celebrating Easter in the comments.
Celebrate Easter with Shisler’s Cheese House
With Easter coming up this weekend, we have everything you need here at Shisler’s Cheese House. Read on to find out all about our gift options and how to make this Easter extra special for your loved ones.
Our Easter gift baskets are perfect for sharing with loved ones. You can purchase online or in store. Inside you will find Marble Cheese, Dried Fruit Chips, Yogurt Pretzels, Heggy’s Chocolates, Wild Maple Walnut Syrup, and Muddy Trail Mix.
We know that this is the perfect mix of treats. Chocolate for a sweet tooth and marble cheese for savory lovers, with dried fruit and trail mix to keep your energy up after all of the Easter fun. You could even hide each element of the basket to create a treasure hunt. Who says that kids get to have all the fun? Certainly not us!
If you’re looking to give a pure chocolate gift, then you need to look no further than Heggy’s Solid Chocolate Bunnies. These are a real treat with 20 oz of chocolate. They are available in both milk and white chocolate, so you can pick one up for everyone in the family.
If you are looking for some more grown-up chocolate options, check out our whole chocolate section. You’ll find dozens of products that will cater to every taste. Grab some Brazilian coconut or chocolate truffles for those friends that always want to try something new. Pick up a Heggy’s chocolate gift box for that special someone in your life. Take some Heggy’s milk chocolate turtles into work and share some Easter joy with your colleagues. We offer sugar-free treats for your health-conscious friends and caramels for those who just don’t like chocolate (we know it’s surprising, but they are out there!).
If you have your own Easter gift ideas, we can create a custom basket for you. Custom baskets can include anything currently available on the website. This is perfect if you know someone who would prefer cheese and pickles to chocolate, even at Easter. You could create a box full of dark chocolate treats or even pick our healthier options such as our sugar-free chocolates. Call us today for a quote!
If you are ordering online, please check our shipping policy to ensure that your gifts will reach you in time. If you can, pop into the store. We love to meet our customers face to face and help you find the perfect gifts.
We want to wish all of you a fantastic Easter weekend. How will you be celebrating? Let us know in the comments!
Love Cheese? Then You’ll Love These Cheese Desserts!
If you love cheese as much as we do, then you’re probably already eating it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But have you tried cheese desserts? Read on to find out how you can add cheese to every course of your meal for delicious fun.
1. Cheesecake
This is the classic. When you saw ‘cheese desserts’ your mind probably went straight to cheesecake. It’s a classic for a reason; delicious, easy to make, and a crowd pleaser, cheesecake has a place in all of our hearts. Try experimenting with different biscuits for your base, add flavors to the cheese or even create a glaze to go on the top. The possibilities really are endless!
2. Fritters
Soft cheeses like ricotta make delicious fritters. Combine it with orange and honey in this recipe to create a sweet treat. You can even keep the leftovers and serve them for breakfast!
3. Cake with Goat’s Cheese Frosting
You’ve tried cream cheese frosting on carrot cake, but you can take this to the next level with an apple cake and goat’s cheese frosting. Apple is often combined with cheese because it has just the right acidity and this cake is no exception. Try the recipe here.
4. Dessert Pizza
We love pizza and we love dessert, but have you combined the two?
Try topping puff pastry with a spreadable cheese like mascarpone and delicious fruits like peaches or raspberries. You could even whip up a pizza dough and top it with chocolate spread and marshmallows for a rocky road style dessert pizza. You can find more inspiration here.
5. Cookies and whoopie pies
Instead of sandwiching your cookies or whoopie pies with buttercream, try mascarpone or ricotta. This works especially well with caramel flavors. Trust us, you’ll be convinced!
6. Parmesan pound cake
Are you always on the hunt for a great pound cake recipe? This one is a little bit unusual, with the addition of parmesan, but you’re sure to have fun asking your friends to guess what the secret ingredient is.
7. Rhubarb and ricotta
You might usually think of turning rhubarb into a pie or a cobbler. Instead, simply stew it down and then serve it with a spoonful of ricotta on top. The creaminess of the cheese cuts through the tart fruit; it’s a perfect combination.
8. Strawberries and mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella pairs beautifully with the sweetness of strawberries. Stew the strawberries down and simply spoon them over mozzarella. You can add black pepper or basil to the dish, although you might find that this strays too far from the realms of dessert.
9. Apple Pies with Cheddar
Cheddar and apple is a well-known combination on a cheeseboard, but you can also use cheddar in your apple pies. There are several ways to add the cheese but our favorite is to mix some into the pastry and then grate some over the crust before it goes in the oven.
10. Dessert Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese can be sweet or savoury. Try brioche with brie and raspberry for a great dessert. Serve it up at a party to wow your guests!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of cheese desserts! Which would you try making? Let us know in the comments?
Choosing the Perfect After Dinner Cocktail
Earlier this week we brought you our recommendations for pre-dinner cocktails. Today, it’s the turn of the post-dinner cocktail. When dinner is finished, you want to be able to move away from the table and continue the party. Creating a batch of after-dinner cocktails is the perfect way to show your guests how welcome they are and ensure the fun doesn’t stop.
Read on to find out what we’re recommending to finish off an evening in style.
1. Espresso Martini
Instead of serving coffee after dinner, serve up a coffee cocktail. Your guests are sure to love them and they’re a great pick-me-up if you’re playing after dinner games.
Shake 1 part coffee, 1 part coffee liqueur and 2 parts vodka over ice. Strain into a martini glass and top with a coffee bean.
2. Mint Chocolate Martini
After dinner chocolates are nothing compared to this quick and easy cocktail. Pair the classic chocolate and mint flavours for a sweet treat.
Simply shake 1 part vodka, 1 part creme de menthe and 2 parts chocolate liqueur over ice. Strain into a martini glass.
3. A Grasshopper
Another cocktail that goes for a hint of mint after dinner. You could even replace dessert with this sweet drink.
Shake 1 part creme de cacao, 1 part creme de menthe and 1 part fresh cream over ice. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Irish Coffee
An espresso martini isn’t always ideal for a cold night. Warm up your guests by making an Irish coffee instead.
Make your coffee how you like it and then add Irish whiskey, a teaspoon of brown sugar and a little cream. Serve this in mugs so that guests can warm themselves up.
5. Porto Flip
This cocktail certainly isn’t for everyone. This is for the more adventurous guest. Port is a traditional after dinner drink but this gives it a twist.
Shake 1 ounce brandy, 1.5 ounces port, 0.5 ounce simple syrup and a whole egg together. Strain it into a highball glass and grate a little nutmeg over the top. Challenge your guests to guess what’s in the drink!
6. A glass of something simple on the rocks
This isn’t a cocktail, but it might be one of the best options after dinner. If you don’t want to be distracted by shaking up drinks and you just want to settle into an evening of easy conversation, then decant some high-quality liquors and serve them up with plenty of ice and glasses.
A glass of great whiskey is sure to please, but you can also serve brandy, port or dessert wine. You could even create a platter with our scotch collection of cheeses.
We hope you have enjoyed our post-dinner cocktail ideas. What do you like to serve and drink after dinner? Let us know in the comments!
How to Cater for Picky Eaters
We all know them: the people we truly love but who are extremely picky eaters. We’re not talking about people with genuine allergies or intolerances. Catering for them might be a challenge, but it should always be a joy to help people eat something that’s good for them. Today we’re talking about people who just have very specific tastes. When you’re planning a dinner party this can pose a challenge but we’re here to help. Read on to find our tips for catering for everyone at your table.
1. Serve a range of dishes
This almost goes without saying, but it’s the key to pleasing your guests. Serve a wide range of smaller dishes rather than one large dish. If you’re serving something spicy, make sure you have something milder to serve alongside it. Try serving some basic foods such as bread or rice with your dishes.
2. Put sauces and dressings on the side
Instead of dressing your salads or covering dishes in sauces, serve them on the side. This way your guests can make their own decisions about the flavors on their plates. Serve hot sauce for those who love things spicy and a cooling yogurt or mayo for those who like everything to be creamy. Put out dressings that work well with each element of your meal so that guests can mix and match.
3. Ask guests to bring dishes along
This is a great way to lessen the stress of entertaining, but it works especially well if you know you have guests with different needs. Ask them to bring along one of their favorite dishes and you’ll know that there’s at least one thing for everyone there.
4. Create dishes that encourage building your own meal
If you don’t want to serve a huge range of different dishes, try cooking something that can be different for everyone at the table. Tacos or burritos work well for this because guests can choose their own fillings. You could create a salad bar for your diners to choose from. You could serve a dish like raclette where the diners even get to cook their meals to their liking.
5. Make trying new things part of the fun
Of course, you want your guests to go away from your meal satisfied, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t encourage them to step slightly out of their comfort zone. Maybe start with an appetizer of unusual meats or cheeses, or even ask guests to bring along the most unusual ingredient that they can find for you all to sample.
6. Dish up a great dessert!
Almost no-one is fussy about dessert. Serve up a showstopper along with some basics like ice cream and chocolate truffles you’ll satisfy even the pickiest eaters. It’s all the last part of the evening, so they’ll remember your fabulous dessert even if the rest of the meal wasn’t so great for them.
Overall, try not to worry too much. Even if there is are picky eaters at your table they are there because they love you. All they really want is to enjoy your company, so enjoy theirs and don’t put too much pressure on making your meal a success.
Our Top 10 Wines for Valentine’s Day
We know that you’re going to be trying to impress your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. We shared some of our great gift ideas last week, so today we’re sharing our top ten wines to serve on the day. We’ve looked for wines that will pair well with luxurious ingredients, fruity desserts, and chocolate. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a day out or a simple drink, we’ve got you covered.
1. Champagne
Of course, this had to be top of the list. Nothing says romance like bubbles and the pop of a cork. Pick something vintage if you really want to impress. Toast your special someone with the very best.
2. Rosé
Pink is the perfect color for Valentine’s Day. Pick a fruity rosé with hints of strawberry to set the tone. The Mouton Noir Rosé Love Drunk from Oregon has the perfect name for such a loved up day. This is the wine to drink if you’re serving salads, pasta, or even sushi.
3. Crémant
An alternative to champagne, crémant is also made in France and is starting to become really popular elsewhere. It has a creamy feel and small, moussey bubbles. It’s great with seafood.
4. Grenache
If you’re picking up a red wine, it’s best to go for something fruity and delicious that you can fall in love with. That’s why we recommend a grenache as it’s full-bodied as well as flavorful. It’s perfect with spicy foods or rich, meaty dishes.
5. Sparkling rosé
Combine two of our favorites and sip on a sparkling rosé! This is perfect if it’s cold where you are and you need something to remind you of summer. Sparkling rosé is great with smoked salmon and soft cheeses.
6. Sauternes
Serve up something sweet with this dessert wine originating from France. The honey and raisin flavors sit perfectly with creamy desserts and you can even pour it over ice cream.
7. Port
If you’re looking for an after-dinner drink with a little less sweetness, pick a port. If you’re new to it, try a tawny port as it won’t be too rich. You can sip this alongside chocolate or salted caramel.
8. Sparkling Red
You might not have tried a sparkling red wine before, but trust us when we say that they really are a treat. You’ll get the wonderful fizz of champagne with a light fruitiness. This is perfect if you and your partner usually differ in your wine tastes. There are several great ones from California and they pair brilliantly with chocolate.
9. Sauvignon Blanc
If you want to serve a more recognizable wine, a sauvignon blanc will pair well with the fruity flavors of many Valentine’s foods. Serve it with a plate of oysters for extra indulgence.
10. Something local
If you’re looking to show your wine knowledge, choose something local to you. Head to a winery in your area and ask them to help you pick something out. Your date will be head over heels after learning that you went to so much effort.
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at Shisler’s Cheese House! Cheers!
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!
