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Holidays in July
July starts with Independence Day, but there are also lots of unusual holidays in July! Today we’ll explore some of our favorites with you.
National Sugar Cookie Day – July 9th
This is a day to celebrate those sweet cookies that are fun to make with the kids. Usually, the recipe is simply sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, and baking powder or baking soda. Our favorites have sprinkles on the top though!
National Pina Colada Day – July 10th
This is a day that you might hope falls at the weekend, as it celebrates the classical tropical cocktail! A blend of coconut cream, white rum, and pineapple juice, it’s sure to transport you to a sunny beach, whatever the weather.
National Mac and Cheese Day – July 14th
One of the nation’s favorite comfort foods is celebrated in July. Whether you make it from scratch or from a box, most people have happy memories of eating mac and cheese. Check out our blog post with five ways to make your mac and cheese sensational to inspire your cooking.
National Hot Dog Day – July 17th
Another celebration of an American classic! We love a holiday that you can celebrate by eating. Pick up some Dick’s Homemade Horseradish Mustard or Tony Packo’s Bread and Butter Pickles to complete your hot dog.
National Ice Cream Day – July 21st
Cool down for the summer with this holiday! Whether it’s chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla, you’re sure to have a favorite flavor. Why not try something more unusual this year? Find salted caramel, pistachio or brown bread ice cream for a new flavor sensation. Did you know that you can even get cheese ice cream? There are ice creams made from cheddar, cream cheese, goat’s cheese, and even blue cheese!
National Chili Dog Day – July 25th
As it’s just not enough to celebrate hot dog day, just eight days later you can celebrate chili dog day!
National Wine and Cheese Day – July 25th
One of our favorites of the holidays in July, of course. The perfect excuse to whip up a delicious cheeseboard and pour yourself a generous glass of wine. You could celebrate with our Red Wine Collection or White Wine Collection. These include a selection of cheeses that we think are well suited to pairing with wine. You can pick your favorite red or white wines to enjoy them with.
National Scotch Day – July 27th
Another holiday that you can celebrate with one of our gift baskets! Our Scotch Collection includes generous cuts of Danish Blue Cheese, Gruyere, Cheddar, and Parmesan. There is enough for around 20 people, so grab a few bottles of Scotch and you’ll have a party on your hands!
National Lasagna Day – July 29th
An Italian classic and a great meal to share with all of the family. You could make it extra special by using homemade fresh pasta amongst the layers of sauce.
National Cheesecake Day – July 30th
Finish off the month on a sweet note with a delicious cheesecake! Whether you like yours baked or not, make one on July 30th to share with your friends.
What are your favorite holidays in July? Let us know in the comments below!
Summer Cooking Ideas
If you’re new to the blog then you might not know that we’ve put together tons of different summer cooking ideas for you. Today we’ve collected lots of them together to inspire you! If you’re not so experienced with cooking, try our tips to help you start cooking from scratch.
Summer cooking ideas: BBQ Season
Start by checking out our checklist of everything that you need if you want to host a barbecue this summer. You can make it really simple by asking your guests to bring along different elements of the meal. After all, everything can be prepared fairly quickly when your guests arrive. If you want to do some advance preparation, then check out our recipes for amazing marinades. For vegetarians, try making a delicious halloumi burger – simply pop the halloumi on the barbecue rather than frying it in a pan.
Pasta
Sometimes there is nothing better than a bowl of delicious pasta with a fresh, vibrant sauce. Why not try making fresh pasta at home? It might seem complex, but it is really quite simple and the results are well worth it. Serve it with a grating of parmesan for that finishing touch. For extra Italian flavor, serve it with Insalata Caprese, incorporating beautifully ripe tomatoes and mozzarella.
Pizza
Another Italian classic! Our post explains how to make pizza from scratch which is sure to impress your friends and your taste buds! Of course, to make it an extra fun summer evening then an outdoor pizza oven is the way to make your pizza. Ask guests to bring their favorite toppings and let the oven do its work to add the perfect char to your dough.
Salads
When the weather heats up, we often just want to eat fresh salads. Check out our post on salads to find out how to combine greens, herbs, protein, and grains to create incredible meals in almost no time at all. You’ll also find tips for making salad dressings that bring everything together. Try something adventurous by adding different fruits to your salads or creating your own signature dressing using your favorite flavors.
More Summer Cooking Ideas
You’ll find our post on smoked meats really useful if you love them and need some more ideas for using them in recipes. For the best sandwiches this summer, try our recipe for making your own bread. This is another cooking endeavor that seems difficult, but once you’ve tried it you’ll want to make it all the time. We have so many cheese posts that will help you pick which cheeses to serve whether you’re making sandwiches, a quick cheese board, or an elaborate summer meal. Try one of our cheese desserts as a sweet treat to end the night.
Finish off your summer meals with our favorite selection of summer drinks that are easy to whip up for an evening with the family or guests.
What are your favorite summer cooking ideas? Let us know your top tips in the comments below!
Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July to all of our wonderful customers from all of us at Shisler’s Cheese House!
However you’re celebrating, we hope that you have a safe and happy day.
We decided to put together a list of celebrations around the country, in case you were wondering how your fellow Americans were spending their day.
In Key West, Florida, the annual Key Lime Festival kicks off with a pie eating contest and the day will end with a huge fireworks display!
New York City tops the impressive fireworks with around 40,000 being set off.
In San Francisco you’ll hear live music all across the city.
San Diego hosts Southern California’s largest fireworks, called the Big Bay Boom!
In Boston you can hear the Boston Pops Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with cannon fire.
And did you know…?
It’s traditional in New England to eat salmon with green peas on 4th July.
There are around 15,000 fireworks displays across the country, with some cities spending millions of dollars on them.
Around 150 million hot dogs are eaten by Americans on this day alone!
The Declaration of Independence wasn’t actually signed until August 2nd 1776, but it was printed on July 4th!
Have a great day everyone! Let us know how you’re celebrating in the comments!
Independence Day: The Essential Checklist
Independence Day is just around the corner again! To help you celebrate the day in style we’ve put together a checklist of essentials for having fun.
1. Family or friends
Whether it’s with family or your chosen family of friends, this is a day to celebrate with your loved ones. If you haven’t already, get in touch with them now to see what their plans are.
2. Great food
Whether it’s a simple picnic, a fun barbecue or an elaborate meal, we all know that it’s not a holiday without some great food. A really fun and easy way to create a great spread is to have a pot luck dinner. Ask everyone to bring their signature dish and you’ll have a variety to dig into. You might want to let people know what to bring or supply some basics like bread, cheese, and salads. If you’re having a barbecue, check that you have the right fuel and all the equipment is clean and ready to use.
3. Drinks
Pick up some of your favorite beer, mix up a pitcher of a cocktail or make a refreshing juice. Be sure to keep hydrated if you’re out and about in the sun! Remember to get ice and plenty of soft drinks for the kids.
4. Plates and cups
You’ll need something to eat and drink from! Make sure that you’ve got enough plates, cups, and flatware to go around. If you haven’t, you can always ask your guests to bring their own along. You’ll just need to check that everyone goes home with theirs at the end of the night.
5. Fireworks
Of course, this is the way to celebrate with a bang! Either find a display near you or set off some yourself. Do make sure that you follow all the safety guidelines. We don’t want any of our customers to get hurt!
6. Games
If it’s hot enough where you are, get out the sprinklers and super soakers for a fun water fight. Otherwise, you could play your family’s favorite games. Whether it’s team sports or a board game night, this is a great way to bring people together. Grab all the equipment that you need today so that you’re not looking for it on Thursday.
7. Outfits
There’s nothing we love more than seeing families dressed up for Independence Day. Pull out your most festive red, white and blue outfits and show your true colors.
8. Tables and chairs
Another essential if you’re hosting guests. This is also something that you can ask people to bring along if you don’t have enough. Otherwise, you could hire them from a rental service. Some will even drop them off and take them away for you.
9. Decorations
Make your space as festive as possible with lots of decorations. This might be a fun way for kids to get involved in the party planning.
10. Relax!
The last essential is to remember that this is supposed to be a fun holiday. Everything will come together on the day and you’ll have fun as long as you’re surrounded by the right people!
How are you celebrating this year? Let us know in the comments below!
There’s a National Day for Everything!
Did you know that there are national days and months for almost any topic that you can think of? There’s a National Peanut Butter Day (March 1st) and National Deviled Egg Day (November 2nd). National Cheese Pizza Day falls on September 5th and February 28th is National Chocolate Souffle Day! Today we’re going to explore some of June’s more unusual holidays!
National Cheese Day
This falls on June 4th and is, of course, our favorite national day of them all. You can always celebrate with a slice of delicious cheese from our range of beautifully made local cheeses.We also have lots of blog posts about different cheeses and ways to eat them to inspire you.
National Donut Day
June 7th provides the perfect excuse to indulge in a sweet treat, whether it’s the fried variety at the fair or a glazed donut from your favorite bakery.
National Rosé Day
June 8th should be spent with a glass of pink, hopefully soaking up the sun.
National Candy Month
Yes, that’s right! June is National Candy Month! According to the National Confectioners Association this is “a moment to celebrate a classic American manufacturing success story”. Of course, we recommend celebrating with some of our amazing range of candy and chocolates that we have in store and online. Many of them are from Heggy’s, a local supplier that we are proud to support. Founded by Ben Heggy in 1923, Heggy’s Chocolates remains one of the premiere candy companies in America. Over the years, Heggy’s Chocolates has remained a family owned and operated business and today they maintain a high level of commitment to their customers and the community.
If you think that you’ve overdone it stocking up on confectionery, then check out our fun ways to use up leftover chocolate.
National Dairy Month
Naturally, National Cheese Day falls within National Dairy Month. The International Dairy Foods Assocation say “National Dairy Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It was initially created to stabilize the dairy demand when production was at a surplus, but has now developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world.”
Whether it’s with ice cream, cheesecake or a simple glass of milk, there are lots of ways to celebrate National Dairy Month. Of course, we always recommend starting with a slice of cheese!
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
After all that candy and cheese, you might be relieved to hear that June is also National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. Why not check out our salad ideas for ways to use fresh fruit and vegetables to create a delicious meal? You could also celebrate by planting some of your own fruits and vegetables to harvest later in the year. If you’re not experienced in gardening, start with something easy like fresh herbs.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed getting to know some of these holidays. As we’re nearing the end of June now you might need to celebrate them all this weekend! Don’t worry though, we’ll be back to tell you about some more in July.
What’s your favorite national celebration day? Let us know in the comments!
Summer wines to enjoy this season
With the weather warming up, we’ve put together a list of summer wines that you’re sure to enjoy. Whether you’re choosing something to drink with a family meal or simply looking for a wine to sip on a sunny evening we hope this list will help you make your choice.
Summer Wines: Pinot Grigio
A white wine with citrus, apple and pear flavors. It’s fantastic with pasta dishes, particularly those with creamy sauces as the acidity of the wine will cut through them for a perfect pairing. You could also serve it with some perfectly grilled fish for a wonderful summer dinner.
Summer Wines: Albarino
Another citrusy white wine, this time hailing from Spain. Albarino is excellent with seafood. It has a high acidity as well as a light saltiness. You may not have encountered this wine but we really recommend seeking it out as it’s sure to surprise you.
Summer Wines: Pinot Noir Rose
This is a fruity rosé with hints of strawberry and cherries that almost feels like you are tasting the summer sun. It’s a great wine to drink if you’re serving salads, pasta, or even sushi.
It’s an absolute classic for the summer. Whilst we want robust reds when it’s cold outside, a lovely refreshing rosé in the sun is the perfect thing. We love a Pinot Noir based rosé because they’re packed with strawberry and cherry flavors.
Summer Wines: Prosecco
A sparkling wine from Italy that will make for a bubbly evening. We recommend looking for a Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG to ensure the best quality and a wonderful, slightly sweet quality.
Summer Wines: Sparkling Rose
Combine two of our favorites and sip on a sparkling rosé! Sparkling rosé is great with smoked salmon and soft cheeses, and the pink color is sure to add a special touch to any of your celebrations. It’s also brilliant with spiced dishes, such as a spicy grilled chicken.
Sangria
Of course, this is a mixed drink rather than something that you can buy in a bottle, but we feel that it deserves a special mention for being so delicious! Sangria hails from Spain and can be with red wine or white wine. A traditional red wine sangria is made with bold red wine, orange juice, brandy or rum, sugar, ice and chopped fruit. It’s one of the best summer drinks to enjoy with small tapas dishes like patatas bravas or chorizo. Make a large jug of it to keep all of your guests refreshed.
Which wines do you like to enjoy in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!
What is a Master Cheesemaker?
Did you know that you can become a Master Cheesemaker?
Wisconsin is the only state with a Master Cheesemaker program outside of Europe. It has been running for 25 years. To qualify to take part, you must have held a cheesemaker’s license for a minimum of 10 years and be making cheese in Wisconsin. In fact, getting a license itself is a serious undertaking as you need to complete 240 hours of apprenticeship as well as five university modules. It can take between one and three years to get your cheesemaking license. The Master Cheesemaker Program takes 2 years and 8 months and consists of several modules as well as a final exam.
Each Master Cheesemaker learns about artisan cheese making and quality control, and can choose from modules on topics including Dairy Chemistry, Buttermakers, and Milk Pasteurization. Graduates earn the right to use the Master Mark on their products.
There are currently 90 master cheesemakers, all of whom have developed their skills to become masters. Each cheesemaker receives their certification for specific cheeses that they have worked hard to perfect.
Our Wisconsin cheeses
We stock several cheeses from Wisconsin, including Beer Cheese, Sharp American Cheese, and Limburger. Beer Cheese is a semi-soft combination of Limburger Cheese and Brick Cheese. It has a very strong smell and taste and is often enjoyed with raw onion and a glass of beer. Limburger cheese is a similarly acquired taste. The cheese is aged for at least three months when it becomes spreadable. Its salty taste is traditionally eaten with rye bread, slices of onion and strong black coffee or lager.
We also get our Brick Cheese from Wisconsin. The process for making Brick Cheese was derived from white American Cheddar, but it is cultured at a slightly higher temperature which results in a marginally higher fat content and a slightly altered protein structure. The resultant cheese has a slightly softer taste and a distinctly sharper finish. We love to use it in place of Cheddar in cooking or simply serve it on a cheeseboard.
Have you tried cheese from a Master Cheesemaker? Let us know in the comments!
Honey: Ideas for Using this Sweet Treat
We love honey here at Shisler’s Cheese House! We’re really proud to stock Tonn’s Pure Clover Honey as well as Tonn’s Pure Clover Honeycomb. Fat-free and cholesterol free, clover honey has been found to contain vitamins and minerals that could reduce the risk of illness. Honey is 25% sweeter than table sugar, whilst being an all-natural sweetener. It is a source of flavonoids, which may reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. It’s also the only food that contains the antioxidant pinocembrin, which has been linked to improved brain function.
We’ve put together a list of ideas for using honey in your cooking, so read on to find out how to get more of this superfood into your life.
Salad Dressings with Honey
Honey is a great ingredient for adding sweetness to a salad. It pairs really well with mustard and vinegars to create flavorful salads. For a really simple dressing, mix extra virgin olive oil, honey, lemon, sea salt and black pepper together. Shake it up in a jam jar for super speedy mixing. It’s also easy to take it to work with your lunch or out to the park for a picnic!
Of course, if you don’t want to make your own then you could pick up our Walden Farms Honey Dijon Dressing. It’s even calorie free!
As a Marinade
Honey makes an excellent addition to marinades for all sorts of foods. Try it with garlic, lemon juice, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper with chicken. Mix it with soy sauce, garlic, chopped spring onions, and lime juice to add flavor to your salmon. You can even use it to glaze vegetables before roasting.
Make honey butter
Mix 8oz salted butter with 4 tablespoons of honey. Add 1.5 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 0.5 teaspoons of ground ginger to make a spiced honey butter. These both work really well on toast, with brioche, or melted over pancakes. Why not whip up a batch and keep it in the fridge for those breakfasts that need a little extra sweetness?
Honey on your face!
So this isn’t a recipe exactly, but did you know that honey is great for your skin? It can help you with acne, dry skin and even blemishes. You can simply apply a teaspoon of honey to your face, leave it for 15 – 30 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. You should notice the difference right away!
Sweeten tea
Honey is a great choice for sweetening tea as it adds a little bit of flavor along with sweetness. We especially like it in chai tea as it pairs well with the spices. It’s also great for soothing a sore throat!
Baking with honey
Whether it’s cookies, cakes, or breads, honey makes a great addition to your baking. It’s an excellent source of sweetness and can also create a delicious caramelization in your dishes when used well. Honey does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly as sugar and is sweeter so less can be used making it an excellent alternative.
How do you like to use honey? Let us know in the comments!
June 16th is Father’s Day!
Father’s Day is coming up on June 16th, so we wanted to get you all ready with some suggestions for brilliant gifts.
We know that you will all want to show your Dads how much they mean to you. It’s certainly a special day to show them your appreciation for all that they do for you and 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, so read on to find out more about our fantastic range of gifts.
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. If you’re lucky he might even let you share some of his delicious treats!
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.
If our Gift Box for Dad doesn’t sound quite right, have no fear, we have a huge range of gift baskets that are perfect for showing him how much you care.
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. Make sure you include a bottle so that they can enjoy their gift right away! If your Dad has more of a sweet tooth, then check out our chocolate section.
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, why not get in touch or pop into the store to see how we can help?
How will you be celebrating this Father’s Day? Let us know in the comments below!
Grilled Cheese: A Classic
Today we thought we would explore the history of one of our favorite comfort foods: the grilled cheese. Read on to find out about its origins and find some ideas for making yours extra delicious.
The modern American grilled cheese sandwich first originated in the 1920s, when inexpensive sliced bread and American cheese became widely available.
Around the world, people have different preferences for how to make their grilled cheese, be it in a pan, on the griddle, or in a panini maker or sandwich press. In the UK, they are often called toasties and made in a machine which seals the edges of the bread whilst melting the cheese. In Australia, they are often called jaffles!
We’ve put together some fun ideas for you to make an extra special grilled cheese at home today.
1. Add fruit
We absolutely love a sweet and savory combo! Try blueberries with mascarpone, peaches with gouda, apple butter with pepper jack, or strawberries with mozzarella. You could even create a Hawaiian pizza inspired grilled cheese with ham and pineapple. Something that we recently tried was a small amount of jam in a grilled cheese made with ricotta. It sounds strange, but trust us, it really works!
2. Go for different bread
Sometimes you can’t beat the classic sliced white bread, but if you’re feeling adventurous then try something new to sandwich your cheese between. Have you tried brioche bread for your grilled cheese? It gets an incredible caramelization from its high sugar content. Croissants also work really well. Donuts and pound cake are an extra decadent addition to a sweet grilled cheese, although you might want to leave these to the professionals!
3. Add pickles and relishes
Some of you will be purists who want the cheesiest sandwich that they can find, but we’re pretty partial to a good pickle in our sandwiches. It cuts through the richness and will pack a flavor punch at the same time. A spoonful of mustard can also work wonders with the right cheese.
4. Top it with a fried egg
Whether you like yours over easy or sunny side up, you won’t be sorry that you topped your grilled cheese with a fried egg. It does mean that you’ll have to use a knife and fork to dig in, rather than picking it up, but that’s a small sacrifice to make for the perfect combination of bread, melted cheese, and oozing egg yolks.
5. Go wild
We know that there’s a combination that you’ve dreamed of but haven’t dared to try. You’ll find all sorts of combinations work well, although maybe you’ll want to try them out before unleashing them on any unsuspecting guests.
How do you like your grilled cheese? Let us know in the comments below!
