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Halloween Decoration Ideas For a Spooky Home
With Halloween fast approaching, we have put together some decoration ideas to help you make your house as spooky as possible!
Carved Pumpkins
Of course, pumpkin carving is the classic decoration for Halloween. Make sure that you don’t waste the actual pumpkin flesh. It’s delicious roasted as a side dish or cooked into a warming soup for cold evenings. You can even roast the seeds with different flavors for a quick crunchy snack.
Traditional faces are easy to carve, but there are so many online tutorials that can help you to create intricate designs that are sure to impress trick or treaters!
Remember to be careful of any open flames when the pumpkins are lit.
Ghostly Lanterns
It’s easy to create ghostly lanterns out of old milk jugs. Simply draw on ghost faces and pop some battery powered fairy lights inside. Line them along your paths to create a spooky entrance way!
An Autumnal Wreath
If you’re looking for something to brighten your door rather than terrify your visitors then a lovely wreath is a great choice. They’re not just for Christmas! Create one with foliage from your yard or buy some fake leaves from a craft store. You can create a base from bendy branches but it is sometimes easier to buy them ready-made. Keep in mind whether your wreath will be exposed to the weather and choose your materials accordingly.
Rock Creatures
For a simple project that the whole family can take part in, collect some large rocks and paint them with monstrous faces. Googly eyes will add to the spooky feel. You could even hide them amongst other rocks in your garden to create a fun surprise!
A Halloween Tree
You can now find artificial Christmas trees in a huge range of colors, including black and white. Pick one of these up and decorate it as a Halloween tree. There are lots of spooky ornaments available in the shops and online. Add some cobwebs, skulls, and spiders for a truly creepy tree. You can even get orange tinsel or pull out any dark colored Christmas decorations to add some extra sparkle.
Candy Corn Banner
It’s easy to create candy corn bunting from some cardboard, paint, and string. You could even cut up paper plates to make the banner even more quickly. Hang it in your windows or over a mantelpiece for a fun, festive look. Make sure you have some candy corn to hand so that you don’t get hungry whilst looking at it!
Floating Witch’s Hats
Use fishing line to hang witch’s hats in your porch for a fun decoration that can be seen by your neighbors. You could even use battery powered fairy lights or glow sticks to make them light up so that they can be seen at night. Make sure that they are hung up high so that no-one walks into them!
How will you be decorating your home this Halloween? Let us know your spookiest tips and tricks in the comments!
4 in 1 Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
As you know, we stock lots of unusual cheeses here at Shisler’s Cheese House; today we are going to show you one of them: 4 in 1 cheese.
What is 4 in 1 cheese?
Our 4 in 1 cheese contains Colby, Orange Cheddar, Cojack and Monterey Jack Cheeses.
Colby cheese is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese native to the United States. It is very mild and creamy. It goes through a washed-curd process, rather than a traditional Cheddar process, making it slightly softer. It is an excellent table cheese and works well in salads because of its mild taste.
Monterey Jack is a buttery, semi-firm cheese which originated in California. It is usually only aged for around a month, making it a fresh, fairly soft cheese to enjoy.
Cojack cheese is a blend of Monterey Jack and Colby cheese, marbled together to create a striking effect.
Orange Cheddar has Annatto, an extract from the tropical achiote tree, and oleoresin paprika added to give it a striking orange hue that will look fantastic on your cheeseboard.
How should I enjoy 4 in 1 cheese?
It is a brilliant table cheese because it caters to a variety of guests and looks fantastic amongst a cheeseboard. Serve it with crackers and fresh bread, as well as fruits, pickles, and charcuterie meats. For extra fun, your guests might like to guess which cheeses are being combined on their plate.
You could also grate this over dishes to add color and flavor, but our favorite way to serve it is simply as a block in the center of the table. If you are building a cheeseboard, then be sure to include stronger cheeses that will contrast this one such as a blue cheese or something spicy like pepper jack.
What should I drink it with?
Owing to the mild and smooth nature of most of the cheeses included, we would recommend a Riesling or even a light Pinot Grigio with 4 in 1 cheese. For red wine lovers, we suggest that you try a Zinfandel or Shiraz.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our exploration of 4 in 1 cheese. Have you tried it? Let us know how you like to eat it in the comments!
How to Taste Wine
If you love drinking wine, then you may have wondered how to taste wine properly can truly elevate your experience.
How to Taste Wine: Environment
One of the most important things is to create the right environment. Odors such as cooking smells, pets, or perfume will affect the wine’s aroma. Using the wrong glass or serving wine at the incorrect temperature can even affect the wine’s flavor.
Try to move away from anyone wearing strong perfume. It is possible to condition your glass by swilling some wine and pouring it out. Wait for your wine to be the right temperature before serving and eat neutral foods to cleanse your palate.
How to Taste Wine: Look
The first part of tasting wine is to look at it.
Start by observing the color, holding it to the light and noticing the clarity of the wine. Then you swirl your glass, which will increase the surface area of the wine and allow oxygen in. This helps to open up the aromas.
If you notice particularly cloudy wine, you may want to check if it smells bad, as this may be a sign that it is past its best.
Look at the legs of the wine. These are the drips of wine that run down the inside of the glass. If the legs are thick and slow moving this indicates higher alcohol and sugar content, which will usually have a fuller mouthfeel. If you see thinner legs, then this will usually be a lighter wine.
How to Taste Wine: Smell
Sniff the wine several times and then concentrate on all the aromas that you are experiencing. If there is a dusty, leathery, or vinegar smell, then the wine may be past its best. You may recognize floral, fruity, herby, spicy or mineral scents. These come from the grapes themselves.
There are also secondary aromas, which come from the winemaking process. These include smells of cheese rind, nuts or beer, as they usually come from the yeast. Tertiary aromas come from the aging process and might include a scent of toast, smoke or vanilla.
The Final Essential Element: Taste
After observing and smelling, you get to taste the wine! Take a sip and roll it around in your mouth to see what you can taste.
You may notice that different flavors occur during the beginning, middle and end of your drinking experience. You might also notice the texture of the wine. Some will be thin and almost watery, but wines increase in richness as they increase in alcohol.
When you take a second sip of wine, try to draw some air into your mouth, then breath out of your nose. This process will aerate the wine slightly and help you to identify more of the flavors.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our wine tasting tips. Remember that the most important thing is to enjoy your wine and have fun with it. If you want to try tasting different wines with different cheeses, why not pick up our White Wine Collection or Red Wine Collection?
Books About Cheese That You Need
If you love cheese, then we hope you’ll love our list of books about cheese.
The Book of Cheese: The Essential Guide to Discovering Cheeses You’ll Love by Liz Thorpe
This book is not organized by country, milk type, or other classifications. The Book of Cheese maps the world of cheese using nine familiar favorites so that you can explore based on the cheeses that you already know you love.The book is complete with flavor and aroma wheels, charts to show different intensities and photography that is sure to make you hungry.
World Cheese Book by Juliet Harbutt
The World Cheese Book includes tasting notes and serving tips for over 750 cheeses. It includes in-depth flavor profiles as well as lots of cheese facts for dairy lovers around the world. Check out local traditions from around the world as well as step-by-step techniques that will show you how to make cheese at home.
Reinventing the Wheel: Milk, Microbes, and the Fight for Real Cheese by Bronwen Percival
Reinventing the Wheel explores the many ways in which the cheesemaking process has changed over the last one hundred years. Through experiments as well as extensive research, they explore the techniques being used by cheesemakers around the world to return to small batch cheese production. There is still so much to learn about the role of microbes in cheese and this book begins to dig into this.
Tasting Wine and Cheese: An Insider’s Guide to Mastering the Principles of Pairing by Adam Centamore
If you love cheese, then you might love pairing it with wines. This book covers the curriculum developed through 350 classes and seminars at Formaggio Kitchen and Boston Wine School by professional wine and cheese educator Adam Centamore. You’ll be guided through flavor pairing and learn about your own palate.
The Beginner’s Guide to Cheese Making: Easy Recipes and Lessons to Make Your Own Handcrafted Cheeses by Elena R. Santogade
The next step for any cheese connoisseur is to have a go at making their own cheese. You’ll get an introduction to cheese making techniques and equipment, as well as having all of your difficult questions answered. Step-by-step make sheets help you to track your progress as you make each cheese. There are more than 45 recipes for you to choose from including both soft and hard cheeses.
One-Hour Cheese: Ricotta, Mozzarella, Chèvre, Paneer–Even Burrata. Fresh and Simple Cheeses You Can Make in an Hour or Less! by Claudia Lucero
If you want a less in-depth introduction to cheesemaking that will see delicious cheese appear on your table in just an hour, then this is one of the books about cheese for you. With easy to follow instructions and photographs, you’ll learn to make sixteen fresh cheeses that are sure to please a crowd. The book also includes recipes to show off your creations.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of books about cheese. Which would you like to see on your bookshelf? Do you have any recommendations? Let us know in the comments!
Wine Storage: How to Store Wine Properly
If you love wine, then you need to know about wine storage. The temperature, conditions, and position that you store wine in all depend on the type of wine and whether it is open. Read on to find out more and get all of your wine storage questions answered.
Wine Storage: Before the Wine is Open
Control the temperature of the unopened wine. It should not be stored above 70F/21C. Any heat above this may cause your wine to age more quickly or go bad. However, it’s also important that you avoid keeping your wine in the fridge for a long time. This can make the cork dry out, allowing air into the bottle, which could ruin the wine. If you can, make sure that the wine is kept at a consistent temperature.
As a general rule, lighter wines can be kept cooler with heavier wines kept at warmer temperatures.
Another way to preserve your wine is to keep it in the dark. UV rays from sunlight or fluorescent light can cause the wine to take on an unpleasant smell, known as the wine being ‘light struck’. Whilst dark bottles can protect the wine it won’t completely prevent light from entering the bottle. If you do not have a dark space to store wine, try wrapping the bottles in cloth or putting them into a closed box.
Unopened wine should be kept on its side to keep the cork moist and make any collected sediment visible.
Wine Storage: When the Wine is Opened
Replace the cork or screw cap and return the wine to a dark place. A wine that is open should not be kept on its side as you risk spillages and it increases the surface area that is exposed to oxygen.
You should be able to keep an opened red wine for several days. A white wine can be returned to the fridge and should keep for 5 to 7 days. Try to prevent drastic temperature changes as they can cause the wine to break down. If you do need to gradually warm a red wine or cool a white wine to return it to the fridge, use warm or cool water. This will help the wine to reach its temperature without a shock.
Another great way to preserve your wine is to replace the cork or cap between each glass pour.
Wine Storage: Solutions for Your Home
If you are storing lots of wine, then you may want to invest in a storage solution.
Building wine racks in an underground space to create a wine cellar is an easy way to control the temperature and humidity of the wine. If you do choose this option, you may need to develop a storage system so that you can quickly find your wines.
You could also select a wine cooler or cabinet. These will vary from single temperature to multiple temperature zones. They also protect the wine from light.
We hope that our exploration of wine storage has given you some hints and tips that will help you to keep your beloved wine fresh.
Gouda: Everything You Need to Know
We love to help you get to know our cheeses here at Shisler’s Cheese House. Today, we are taking a look at Gouda.
What is Gouda cheese?
Gouda is a yellow cow’s milk cheese. It usually has a red or yellow wax coating. Ours is imported from the Netherlands, where it originated.
How is Gouda made?
It is made by culturing and heating the milk until the curd separates from the whey. When some of it is drained, water is added, which is called “washing the curd”. This process gives a sweeter flavor to the cheese as the washing removes some of the lactic acid. It is aged in cellars for at least 4 weeks. Extra mature versions will have been aged for 7 to 8 months, although it may be left for over a year to become even more flavorful and crunchy.
What does it taste like?
As the cheese ages, it develops a caramel-like sweetness. It sometimes has a slight crunch from the tyrosine crystals that resemble salt. The longer it is aged, the more aromatic and flavored it becomes.
We also sell a Smoked Gouda which is infused with a lovely smoky flavor.
What should I eat it with?
For the simplest snack, serve cubes of Gouda with a dipping mustard as they would do in the Netherlands.
Gouda pairs very well with fruit such as apples and pears. It is also great with other sweet flavors including honey and syrup.
It melts deliciously, so try a slice in your favorite grilled cheese sandwich for extra flavor and that incredible melted cheese effect. Try adding some wholegrain mustard to a grilled cheese. The nuttiness of the cheese pairs really well with the spice of the mustard.
This is also a fantastic cheese to add to a cheese sauce as it will add an extra punch of flavor. Mix it into pasta dishes or grate it over roasted vegetables for a simple cheesy side dish.
If you like to make quick snacks for parties, then you can use this to make quick cheese straws with flaky pastry or layer it vegetables to stuff jalapeno peppers for a spicy treat.
What should I drink it with?
For a special occasion, this cheese is delicious with a glass of champagne or sparkling wine. Other white wines that work well are those that have fruit flavors such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. If you prefer red wine, we would recommend something light but fruity with a smoky undertone, such as a Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir. A Cabernet Sauvignon would go well with an aged Gouda, although it may overpower a younger cheese. A smoked Gouda is delicious with a glass of spicy Pinot Noir or a Chardonnay.
This cheese also goes very well with beer from light lagers and pale ales to a hearty porter or stout. You could even try it with spirits like Brandy or Calvados.
How do you like to eat your Gouda? Let us know in the comments!
Mustard: Our Favorites
Today we are exploring the world of mustard. Read on to find out more about how it is made and the great range that we have on offer for you to enjoy at Shisler’s Cheese House.
How is it made?
It is made from the seeds of the mustard plant. These are used whole, ground, cracked or slightly bruised. They are then mixed with a variety of liquids including vinegar, salt, and other flavorings or spices to create the delicious condiment that we know and love. The combination of ingredients is what helps them to range from sweet to spicy.
Are there any health benefits?
There is some evidence to show that the seeds could inhibit cancer cells, so you might well be improving your health when you spread some on a sandwich.
A whole range of different mustards
We know that each different occasion calls for a different condiment, which is why we stock a variety of options for you to try.
Bertman Ballpark Mustard is a classic spicy brown sauce. Of course, we recommend enjoying it with a hot dog.
Herlocher’s Dipping Mustard is sweet and tangy: perfect for dipping pretzels into it.
Try our own Shisler’s Private Label Sweet Mustard with ham, sausages, or in a sandwich.
For those who love spice, we created the Shisler’s Private Label Hot Jalapeno Mustard. This is a great accompaniment to creamy cheeses and pickles.
If you like to use lots of garlic in your cooking, then try the Shisler’s Private Label Roasted Garlic Mustard. This is great for stirring into sauces for an extra kick of flavor.
Dick’s Homemade Horseradish Mustard is made right here in Ohio. Eat it with hot dogs or hamburgers for that authentic flavor.
If you can’t get enough, then try our honey mustard pretzels. They make a great snack for movie night.
You’ll also find some along with some delicious treats to eat it with all wrapped up in our Football Season Special.
Tips for using mustard
- Add a spoonful to your cheese sauce. It will give that extra zing to your mac and cheese.
- Create a quick salad dressing with mustard, oil, honey, and vinegar.
- Make a glaze for ham or chicken by mixing it with brown sugar. Add it in the last hour of cooking for caramelization.
- Mix it with mayo. It’ll add an extra kick and you’ll love dipping fries in.
- Spice up potatoes. Add a little to scalloped potatoes or mash and you’re sure to have friends asking for the recipe.
- Add it to breakfast. A small amount can make breakfast potatoes extra exciting and they’ll be perfect to eat with sausages. You can even mix it into beans for added heat.
- Put it in your side veg. Sometimes sides don’t seem that exciting. Add a spoonful to cabbage or broccoli to bring some fun to the table.
- Stir it into your soup as it finishes cooking. You’ll definitely get flavor with your veggies then!
How do you like to eat mustard? Let us know in the comments!
Cheese Making: Which Milks Are Used?
We love to tell you more about the cheese making process here at Shisler’s Cheese House. The more that you know about cheese, the more you can shop for your favorites and discover new delicious delights.
Today we’re going to explain the different kinds of milk used in cheese making and which cheeses you might find them in.
Sheep’s milk
Sheep’s milk has a high lactose content. This means that we rarely drink it, but it is used extensively in cheese and yogurt making. It can sometimes have a distinctive flavor, although this is often masked by the salt used to create the cheese.
Sheep’s milk cheeses include Manchego and Pecorino. Romano Pecorino is made from the milk of sheep that have grazed on specific grasses to impart flavor into the milk. If you love blue cheese, then Roquefort is made with sheep’s milk and has a great tang to it.
Goat’s milk
Goat’s milk is more regularly enjoyed on cereal or as a drink than sheep’s milk. Its qualities mean that it sometimes suitable for those who cannot have cow’s milk.
You’ll find it in simple goat’s cheese or chevre. These cheeses have a creamy texture and a distinct, complex flavor. They are great for cooking with as this flavor works well with many sweet and savory ingredients. It also melts very well, making it an excellent way to add cheesiness to dishes.
Cow’s milk
The most common of the kinds of milk used to make cheese. It has a good amount of fat and protein which makes it favorable for the cheese making process. Look out for cow’s milk cheeses that do not contain any artificial hormones.
You’ll find it in Cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan amongst many others.
Buffalo milk
This is one of the hardest types of milk to get hold of and so it is very prized within the dairy industry. It is mostly used to make mozzarella and gives it a particularly creamy taste and texture as it has a high fat content.
More unusual milk
These are the different types of milk that you’ll usually find represented on a cheese shelf, but there are still more unusual ones being used all the time. Perhaps you might like to try reindeer or moose cheese? In some countries, cheese made from the milk of a camel is enjoyed. Donkeys, horses, and yaks have all had their milk used to make cheese to enjoy. We are also seeing a rise in non-dairy milk being used to create cheeses that are suitable for vegans or those who cannot eat dairy products. Who knows what will be next into the cheese market?
We hope you’ve enjoyed our quick tour of the different kinds of milk used in the cheese making process. Next time you pop in to fill up your cheese shelf, why not try something made form a more unusual milk and see if you can taste the difference?
Which kind of cheese is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Flavored Cheeses: Add Flair to Your Cheeseboard
We stock a variety of flavored cheeses here at Shisler’s Cheese House and we love how they can add extra excitement to any cheeseboard. They are also great for adding flavor to a variety of different dishes.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favorites for you to enjoy. We’ve also added some great culinary ideas to use them up.
Bacon Cheese
A creamy cheddar infused with smoky bacon. This is great for breakfast dishes such as muffins or a frittata. The smoky flavor will also work well with slightly sweeter dishes. Add it to a cheeseboard and see if your guests can identify the flavor.
Beer Cheese
A semi-soft combination of Limburger and Brick Cheese. Not to be mistaken for a Beer Cheese dip, it has a very strong smell and taste. Germans like to put it on rye bread along with some sliced onion and have it with beer.
Garlic Cheddar
A lovely mild white cheddar with the addition of flavorsome garlic. This is perfect for pasta dishes or even an extra special grilled cheese. Combine it with mushrooms or ham for brilliant flavor combinations.
Green Onion Cheese
Made with real green onions so that you get plenty of flavor in every mouthful. Try it with a picnic of salads and meats for a simple meal. This is one of our favorite flavored cheeses for adding extra zing.
Havarti Cheese with Caraway
Havarti Cheese is an interior-ripened cheese that is rindless and smooth. It has very small and irregular eyes. It can be somewhat sharp and buttery in taste with sweet notes. This variation of Havarti Cheese is infused with Caraway Fruits, commonly referred to as Caraway seeds, which are the principal element in the flavor of rye bread. It has a pungent anise-like flavor and aroma. Plain Havarti Cheese and Havarti Cheese with Dill are also available.
Horseradish Cheddar
A white cheddar infused with the spicy tang of horseradish. Well balanced so that you get both creamy and spicy flavors coming through. This would work brilliantly with beef burgers or other beef dishes with cheese.
Pepperoni Cheese
One of the nation’s favorite flavors, already infused into cheese for us to enjoy. It’s perfect for pizza! You could also enjoy it on crackers or with vegetables. This is another good choice for a grilled cheese with extra taste.
Bermuda Onion Cheese
A delicious cheese with savory onion tones. Great with pickles or chutney. This could also be an excellent addition to a fondue if you want to make it extra flavorful. Try it melted onto toast with soup. This is perfect when the weather starts to get colder.
Hot Pepper Cheese
We stock a wide range of spicy cheeses, but the hot pepper cheese is a great place to start. It has just the right amount of kick to add fire to your favorite dishes alongside a lovely peppery flavor. It works really well with Mexican dishes such as tacos or quesadillas.
Which of these flavored cheeses would you like to try? Let us know in the comments!
Get Ready with our Football Season Snacks
With the NFL Season fast approaching, we thought it was time to share with you our Football Season Special. It’s full of football season snacks for you.
Inside you’ll find some Swiss Cheese, Troyer’s Trail Bologna, Pepper Jack Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Pepper Relish, and Carr’s Crackers. We think this is a great combination of snacks.
Swiss Cheese is a mild cow’s milk cheese with a slightly nutty, sweet flavor. This contrasts well against the Pepper Jack Cheese which is flavored with spicy jalapenos, serrano peppers, and habaneros. It has a creaminess and then a good kick from the chilies.
Troyer’s Trail Bologna is a true classic, made in Ohio by the fourth generation of the Troyer family. It is an all-beef chunky bologna with a smoky taste. It’s usually sliced thin and will be delicious with cubes of the Swiss cheese. Pile everything onto a cracker with some mustard or relish and you’ve got an ideal complete snack.
This is the perfect combination of snacks to enjoy whilst kicking back and watching the game. If you want to create more of a meal or you have a large group coming over, why not pair it with some hot dogs or a great big bowl of chili?
If you like a selection of salty football season snacks, check out our gourmet foods section. You’ll find nuts including pistachios, Spanish peanuts, and roasted pecans as well as white chocolate popcorn and trail mixes.
Make sure that you stock up on beers and you’ll have the best sports night ever. Whatever team that you are supporting, you’ll be in good company with our special hamper of treats. It will bring together even the most bitter rivals.
If you’re watching alone, then you’ll have a nice selection to enjoy over several games. It’s sure to keep you fuelled during even the tensest moments of play. Pop your jersey in, get comfy on the couch, and settle in for a great night of family fun.
You could even take this gift box along when you’re tailgating at a college game. Show your support whilst enjoying some great snacks. If you won’t have time to cook something or you just want the ease of showing up with a box of everything you need, then this box if perfect for you.
You can also have this sent to a loved one. Missing a friend or child who’s gone away to college? Send them our gift basket and let them know that you’re thinking of them, even if you can’t watch the game together. We can also put together special gift boxes with non-perishable products if you are sending them overseas.
What are your favorite football season snacks to eat whilst watching the game? Let us know in the comments! Tell us your team, too!
