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Ways to Use Up Leftover Chocolate
With Easter celebrations this week filling our houses with chocolate and delicious treats, we thought it might be useful to share some ways to use up leftover chocolate. That’s if there is any left, of course!
Hot Chocolate
Using real chocolate is one of the ultimate ways to make a luxurious hot chocolate. You only need a little bit to make a brilliant drink, so this is an ideal way to finish your Easter celebrations. Check out our blog post with 6 ways to make a great hot chocolate to make it extra special.
Smores
Layer up graham crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate for this fireside treat. It’s a quick dessert that is fun to make with the whole family.
Brownies
We can’t mention chocolate recipes without mentioning brownies! You might have a favorite family recipe, but you can make it even more delicious by melting some extra chocolate to drizzle on the top once they are baked. If you have leftover candies, crush them up and add them on top as well for a colorful post-Easter bake.
Chocolate Croissants
Take some crescent rolls and roll them up with pieces of chocolate inside. Bake in the oven until the rolls are golden brown and the chocolate is melted. These make a great breakfast that will surprise your family on Monday morning.
Pancakes
Instead of the usual chocolate chips, try pieces of Easter chocolate to add sweetness to your pancakes. Our top tip is to fry one side of your pancake, then add the chocolate pieces into the batter before flipping over. This way the chocolate is well distributed, instead of being lost in the pancake batter. Stack up your pancakes with whipped cream and sprinkles for extra fun.
Ice Cream
If you have an ice cream maker, you can use up leftover chocolate to create your own chocolate flavor. Either use it melted to create a chocolate swirl or add it in chunks to create texture. For an even more simple recipe, you can make a quick sauce for store-bought ice cream by melting chocolate with a little bit of milk.
Chocolate Bark
This is probably the easiest way to use up any leftover chocolate or candy. Melt the chocolate and pour it onto a prepared tray that is lined with parchment paper. You are looking for a thin layer of chocolate. If you have milk, white, and dark chocolate, swirl them together. Then add any candies or crushed up chocolates into the melted chocolate. Let this set and then break it up into pieces.
Garnish
Chocolate can be grated to make a very quick and simple garnish for any dessert. It’s easy to do but looks stunning and will impress your guests. Use a fine grater to create a dusting or use a peeler to create chocolate shavings for a more striking look.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our ideas for using up your leftover chocolate. What do your family do with their Easter treats? Let us know your ideas in the comments below!
Easter Recipes to Help You Celebrate
In preparation for this coming Easter weekend, we decided to put together a list of Easter recipes for you to put together. Whether you’re celebrating with family, gathering a group of friends, or enjoying a quiet day to yourself, you’re sure to find some ideas that will make your day extra delicious.
Roasted Leg of Lamb
Of course, a roasted leg of lamb is a classic at Easter. We sometimes like to use a simple rub of lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. However, you can spice things up by using a marinade of harissa, a North African chili pepper paste that will add lots of flavor to your dish. Serve it with plenty of vegetables, but especially go for spring flavors like carrots, green beans, radishes, and beets. Try making your own gravy to accompany everything.
Four Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
A great accompaniment to roast lamb and a decadent treat for your table, scalloped potatoes do take some time to put together but they are well worth the effort. Use a mandolin slicer to speed up the process. We like to add a combination of creamy cheeses to make this extra special for our Easter recipes. Add Asiago, Mozzarella, and Raclette in slices between the potatoes for layers of melted goodness, and then grate Parmesan onto the top to create a cheesy crust.
Chocolate Nest Cakes
A firm family favorite and a dish that the kids can all get involved in making. Just be prepared to clean up a little mess afterward.
- Prepare a muffin tray lined with paper cake cups.
- Melt some of your favorite chocolate (of course, we recommend Heggy’s).
- Add in a cereal of your choice. Cornflakes or shredded wheat work really well. Ensure that the cereal is well coated in the chocolate.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared cups.
- Top each nest with some mini chocolate eggs.
- Leave to set and then enjoy!
Asparagus and Cheese Tart
If you’re serving vegetarians this Easter, or simply want to add some lighter Easter recipes to your table, we love an asparagus and cheese tart.
- Take a sheet of puff pastry and score a border around 2 cm from the edge.
- In the middle, add slices of cheese. You can choose your favorite but you are looking for something that will melt well and have plenty of flavor. We recommend goats’ cheese or cheddar.
- Layer spears of asparagus on top and add freshly ground salt and pepper. You could also put freshly shelled peas on at this point for even more spring flavor.
- Bake in the oven until the pastry has become puffed up and golden. The asparagus should be nicely roasted and the cheese melting underneath.
- If you like, add arugula leaves on top.
This recipe can be served hot or cold, so it’s a good choice if you want to prepare it in advance or if you are heading to a pot luck dinner.
We hope you enjoy making these Easter recipes to share with your family this weekend. However you’re celebrating, we want to wish you a wonderful Easter.
Easter Gifts For The Whole Family!
The time of year for celebration is upon us again! With Easter coming up this weekend, we have put together a list of delicious Easter gifts that you can buy right here at Shisler’s Cheese House. Read on to find out all about our gift options and how to make this Easter extra special.
Our Easter gift baskets are perfect for sharing with loved ones. You can purchase them online or in store. We can even deliver them straight to your family and friends to make gift giving as easy as possible. Inside you will find Marble Cheese, Dried Fruit Chips, Yogurt Pretzels, Heggy’s Chocolates, Wild Maple Walnut Syrup, and Muddy Trail Mix.
We created this mix of treats to make sure that everyone will love our gift basket. There’s chocolate for those with 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.
If you’re looking to give a 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. You could take some Heggy’s milk chocolate turtles into work and share some Easter joy with your colleagues, but they’re certainly popular with the children as well! We offer sugar-free treats for anyone with a restricted diet.
We also have a range of other gift baskets for every taste. Pick from a simple selection of cheeses all the way up to a huge selection of locally sourced delicious treats. If you have your own Easter gifts in mind, 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 Easter gifts.
We want to wish all of you a fantastic Easter weekend. How will you be celebrating? Let us know in the comments!
How to Make Jam
We absolutely love jam here at Shisler’s Cheese House. It’s great for spreading on toast, eating in sandwiches or incorporating into your baking.
Today we thought we would introduce you to the basic jam making technique. You’ll need:
- Jars to store your finished product
- An equal weight of fruit and granulated sugar – some great fruit choices include strawberries, raspberries, cherries, or peaches. You can even combine fruits to try out new flavors. Just be sure to weigh all of the fruit together to get the right weight for the sugar.
- A large pan
- Start by sterilizing your jars. You can do this in a variety of ways, but the easiest is to wash your jars thoroughly in soapy water, rinse them, and then place them into an oven on a very low heat to dry them out.
- Put the fruit and sugar into your pan on a very low heat and stir until all the sugar is dissolved.
- Bring the fruit mixture up to a rapid, rolling boil and cook for 3-5 minutes. As your jam approaches the setting point, it will begin to thicken and start to boil more slowly.
- To test if the jam has reached setting point, remove the pan from the heat. Spoon a little of the fruit onto a cold plate, leave it to cool for a few minutes, and then push your finger or a spoon into the jam. If the jam wrinkles, it is ready. If not, return the pan to the heat and cook the jam for a minute or two more before testing it again.
- Once the jam reaches its setting point, carefully spoon it into the prepared jars and put the lids on while the jam is still hot. It will thicken as it cools and the jar should seal. If it doesn’t, then the jam should be eaten within a couple of weeks.
- If the jar is sealed, it can be kept for around six months. Once opened, pop it into the fridge to keep it fresh.
If you don’t feel like making your own, then we have a whole range of jams and jellies ready for you to enjoy. Our homestyle jams from Walnut Creek come in Cherry, Blueberry, Black Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Red Raspberry, Strawberry Rhubarb, Peach, Strawberry Kiwi, Apricot, Blackberry, Boysenberry, and Elderberry Jelly. With that many flavors, we know that you’ll find one that you love! We also stock a Private Label Old Fashioned Apple Butter, made from the best locally grown apples and locally produced Amish butter.
If you prefer savory treats, we offer a Hot Pepper Jelly and our Private Label Tomato Jam. The tomato is a local tradition, made from ripe locally grown flavorful tomatoes. We suggest serving it with our well-aged Canadian Cheddar, but there are many uses. It’s incredible in a BLT or served on cornbread, eggs, and roasted potatoes. The Hot Pepper Jelly is also great with cheese or ham.
How do you make jam? What’s your favorite flavor? Let us know in the comments below!
Troyer’s Trail Bologna: Try it Today!
For three generations we at Shisler’s Cheese House have prided ourselves on providing the best examples of local fare to tourists and locals alike. Troyer’s Trail Bologna is one of the best examples of local fare we can recommend. Our Trail Bologna comes from the fourth generation of the Troyer family, so don’t be fooled by imitators!
What is Troyer’s Trail Bologna?
Chunky bologna, made with coarse cuts of meat. Trail Bologna originates from the Troyer family in the tiny town of Trail, Ohio. One of the best flavors of Amish Country! Enjoy the smoky taste of Trail Bologna.
Trail Bologna was named after Trail, a village in Ohio that is too small to have a zip code of its own! The Troyer family has been making their quality wood-smoked Trail Bologna here for four generations, starting in 1912, when Michael Troyer created a unique blend of special seasonings to make his now famous all-beef Trail Bologna. The family continues the tradition of excellence to this day by making literally tons of savory treats daily.
How should I eat it?
Troyer’s Trail Bologna great served as part of a cheese and charcuterie board. It is usually thinly sliced and served with cubes of cheese. We recommend that it is best enjoyed with Swiss Cheese, Baby Swiss Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, or Hot Pepper Cheese for those with a more daring palate. You can, of course, enjoy it in sandwiches or wraps as well. If you want a real treat, make a Swiss cheese and bologna sandwich and pour yourself a glass of Malbec! Troyer’s themselves recommend a salad of lettuce, spinach, plenty of tomatoes, onions, and croutons along with some shredded Swiss and Troyer’s, paired with French dressing. A brilliant lunch!
Troyer’s recently added Trail Bologna infused with cheddar cheese or with hot pepper cheese to their product offering. We are proud to carry both. When warmed, the cheese melts, creating an extra delicious treat.
Can I give it as a gift?
Yes! We think this is a great gift for someone that you want to share some local flavor with or anyone who has lived in Ohio. As it’s so popular, we offer it in several of our gift boxes.
Our classic combination box includes a 2 Lb. Baby Swiss Wheel, Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, 8 Oz. Colby Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Carr’s Crackers, and Assorted Chocolates.
You can also try it with a simple cheese selection, which includes a 1 Lb. Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, 3/4 Lb. Wheel of Colby, 3/4 Lb. Wheel of Farmers, and Assorted Chocolates.
For more extravagant gifts that include Troyer’s Trail Bologna, try the Amish Country Sampler Gift Box or our recent addition, the Shisler’s Cheese House Deluxe Gift Box. If you would like to create a hamper of your own choosing, simply get in touch and we’ll do what we can to help.
Have you tried Troyer’s Trail Bologna? How do you like to eat it? Let us know in the comments below!
Parmesan: Everything You Need to Know
You are probably quite familiar with being offered a grating of parmesan over your pasta or pizza, but today we thought we would tell you a little more about this very popular cheese. Read on to find out everything you might want to know!
What is Parmesan?
Parmesan Cheese is a hard, dry cheese, which has a complex, sharp, nutty flavor and a somewhat grainy texture. It is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk. Starter whey, containing thermophilic lactic acid bacteria, and rennet is added to separate the curds. These are then compacted and placed into molds. The wheels are placed into brine baths for up to 25 days where they absorb the salt. After brining, each cheese is aged for 12 months.
The history of Parmesan Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese gets its name from the Italian regions of production: Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, and Mantova. It originated in the Middle Ages, at least 700 years ago. It was first made by monks in Reggio Emilia, with production spreading to the Parma and Modena regions. With the exception of new production equipment and technology, the basic process to make the cheese has changed very little in the hundreds of years since.
A Parmesan Consortium was created in 1934 which regulates the production of authentic Parmesan Cheese and inspects all of the cheese produced by nearly 800 cheese producers. Parmigiano Reggiano is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese in the European Union, which legally requires the cheese to be produced in certain regions of northern Italy in order to be labeled as Parmigiano Reggiano. Outside of Europe, the phrase “Parmesan Cheese” may be used to refer to any hard grating cheese.
How should I eat it?
As you know, Parmesan Cheese is wonderful grated. It is ideal for adding flavor to pasta or risotto It can be sprinkled into soup, shredded over a green salad, mixed into in pesto or Alfredo sauce, or served with meats such as veal and chicken.
Chunks of the rind may also be simmered into soups or sauces to add flavor. Try this the next time you make a marinara sauce or a minestrone soup and you’re sure to be surprised by the difference it makes. The rinds can also be roasted as an unusual cheesy snack.
You can even try Parmesan Cheese on its own as a table cheese and you will discover that it is rich and full of flavor. Try it cut into chunks and drizzled with thick balsamic vinegar for a really special treat.
What should I drink with it?
Parmesan is an ideal cheese for enjoying with a glass of red wine because it has a strong flavor and dry texture. We would particularly recommend it with Sangiovese, Syrah or Merlot. An Italian wine is nearly always a good choice to pair with Italian cheese.
You will also find it in our Scotch Collection, as the salty cheese stands up well next to the smokey flavors of whisky.
How do you like to eat Parmesan? Let us know in the comments below!
Wasabi: Try Something New Today
We love to help you try out new ingredients here at Shisler’s Cheese House. Today, we are exploring wasabi. If you haven’t tried this spicy ingredient, read on to find out everything you need to know about it and some ways that you can enjoy it today.
What is Wasabi?
Wasabi is part of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes horseradish and mustard. It has a taste similar to hot horseradish. The root is pale green in color, and is usually either grated and served fresh, or dried and made into a powder or paste. It is one of the condiments used in Japanese food, particularly sushi and sashimi. If you enjoy going to sushi restaurants, then you have probably seen the light green paste in small pots alongside the soy sauce. In shops, it is often sold in thin tubes.
How is it eaten?
It is often served alongside sushi and sashimi. The best way to eat it is to simply add a small amount to each piece with your chopstick. Be careful not to add too much at first, as it is a natural product and can vary greatly in its spiciness! Some sushi will have wasabi as part of its preparation, so you may not need to add any at all.
It can also be used to make dressings and marinades for meats, vegetables, and salads. This is another time to use it sparingly as you are looking for gentle heat rather than unbearable spice. We love it mixed into mayonnaise to serve with seafood or tempura vegetables for a creamy yet spicy dressing. You can even try mixing it with a little oil and roasting potatoes in it for a punchy side dish.
We offer Wasabi Roasted Peas, a fun snack that has a crunchy texture and packs a punch in terms of flavor. They can even be crushed in a blender to make a spicy crust for chicken or salmon.
Are there alternatives to wasabi?
Because of its cost and availability, wasabi is sometimes replaced with horseradish in Western cooking. We stock Woeber’s Horseradish, through Walnut Creek Foods. Dick’s Homemade Horseradish, made in Ohio without any fancy ingredients, is a must-have to give a kick to your favorite recipes. You could also try Dick’s Homemade Horseradish Mustard to add spice to hot dogs, hamburgers, or anything else that you would eat with mustard.
If you’re really here because you are all about the cheese, then we have both Horseradish Cheese and Smoked Horseradish Cheese. We recommend rolling these into thin slices with prosciutto or thinly sliced smoked ham for a delicious snack.
What are the health benefits?
Wasabi and horseradish are both known to have health benefits. It has been used to treat bronchitis, sinus problems, and urinary tract infections. The compounds found in horseradish have also been shown to kill certain bacterial strains.
We hope that you have learned something about wasabi today! Have you tried it? How do you like to eat it? Let us know in the comments!
Mozzarella: Everything You Need to Know
We continue our explanations of the world’s cheeses today with a look at delicious mozzarella. Whilst you probably eat this cheese fairly regularly, you might not know how it is made. Read on to find out all about the process as well as some creative ideas for using it in dishes at home.
What is Mozzarella Cheese?
Mozzarella is a semi-soft cheese. Due to its high moisture content, it is traditionally served the day after it is made, but can be kept in brine for up to a week or longer when sold in vacuum-sealed packages.
Derived from the Neapolitan dialect spoken in Campania, mozzarella is the diminutive form of mozza (“cut”) or mozzare (“to cut off”) derived from the method of working. The term is first mentioned in 1570, cited in a cookbook by Bartolomeo Scappi, reading “milk cream, fresh butter, ricotta cheese, fresh Mozzarella, and milk”.
How is it made?
Citric acid and milk are combined and then heated until the mixture is ready to have rennet added. At this point, the curds and whey will have separated and the curds will be cut. They are the removed, stretched and kneaded until the become the cheese that we recognize.
If you want to have a go at making this quick and simple cheese at home, we do have a recipe on the blog. It takes just 30 minutes!
How should I eat Mozzarella Cheese?
Of course, we have to start by recommending pizza. If you’ve never made it at home then give it a go. Pizza dough is really easy to make and if you get yourself a pizza stone you will be able to enjoy the crispy base you love without even leaving the house. Only use little mozzarella, to stop the dough from becoming soggy, and add your favorite toppings.
It is delicious in a Caprese salad with tomatoes. Simply layer slices of mozzarella, tomato, and basil leaves. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
For a slight twist, try a fruity salad instead. It pairs well with figs, oranges, or even peaches as the creaminess of the cheese sits with the acidity of the fruit. Complement the sweet salad with the saltiness of ham or bacon and you’re sure to impress.
Put a small piece of mozzarella into the center of homemade burger patties and it will melt perfectly, creating a cheesy sauce as you cut into the burger.
We also offer a Smoked Mozzarella, which undergoes a steady treatment of hickory and cherry wood-smoke. The natural smokey flavor of this delightful cheese is great in casseroles, on sandwiches, or alone with a handful of crackers.
What should I drink with it?
The ideal wine pairing is a cold glass of Pinot Grigio. However, a rose wine such as a White Zinfandel or even a light red such as Beaujolais could also work well. If in doubt, choose an Italian wine to complement this Italian cheese.
How do you like to enjoy Mozzarella Cheese? Let us know in the comments below!
Seeds: How to Eat More of these Superfoods
Did you know that seeds are incredibly good for you?
Seeds contain high levels of essential fatty acids as well as lots of vitamins and minerals that can help to keep us healthy. Because they are so nutrient-rich, you don’t need to eat a lot each day to get the health benefits of them. A tablespoon a day is more than enough.
We’ve put together a list of ideas to help you eat more and get the goodness into your diet. We stock both sunflower and pumpkin seeds which will both work well in any of the options below.
Seeds: On Cereal
Start your day with a spoonful of seeds sprinkled on top of your usual cereal. Even better, you could have seeds as part of a bowl of granola or muesli. You can easily make your own granola by choosing a selection of oats, nuts, and seeds and gently roasting them in the oven. Drizzle them with honey or maple syrup if you like them to be slightly sweet, or mix in a selection of dried fruit before storing the granola away.
On Yogurt
Yogurt can be a great healthy snack if you choose one that is low in sugar and fat. It is full of protein and when sprinkled with seeds will give you the energy to take you right through the day. If you find yourself experiencing a mid-afternoon moment of tiredness then why not pack a pot of yogurt and a small tub of them to enjoy wherever you happen to be?
Stir Fry
Next time you whip up a quick stir fry of your favorite meats and vegetables, add a spoonful towards the end of cooking. Not only will they add a crunchy texture, but they’ll toast beautifully and add plenty of nutty flavor to your dish. Just be careful not to burn them.
Salads
Of course, salads had to be on this list. You always want to be adding texture and protein to your salad and seeds are a quick and easy way to do this. If you are often making a quick lunch at the office, keep a pot of them at your desk or in your car so that you can quickly add them without any fuss.
Soups
Instead of a swirl of cream, try a smattering of seeds! They’re better for you and add both texture and flavor to your dish. Even if you haven’t made the soup from scratch yourself, you can make it seem like a put together meal.
Trail Mix
This is another option that you can make yourself with all of your favorite ingredients, but if you need a quick and easy option then our diet trail mix contains nuts, seeds, and fruits to give you a boost of energy.
We hope that these handy tips will help you to get some of those essential fatty acids and vitamins into your day to day meals. How do you like to eat seeds? Let us know in the comments!
