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Lebanon Bologna… The Meat, The Myth, The Legend
The History of Lebanon Bologna
Situated in Pennsylvania’s Dutch country, Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna houses the secrets of creating superior Lebanon Bologna. The mouthwatering creation began before the turn of the century as Pennsylvania Germans were resourceful by incorporating Old World butchering, curing and sausage-making skills into Lebanon County farm life.
Known for their reputation for quality and reliability, Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna is a cut above the rest when, leading the industry in this regional product and specialty. Being the largest global distributor of this specialty, the company reaches all corners of the nation, distributing Lebanon Bologna. Continuing to hold steady to traditional methods, the Seltzer brand has defied modern cost-cutting methods as they produce their bologna the way it was meant to be produced, the old-fashioned way, using tall, wooden smokehouses over hand-tendered fires. Word has it that the secret behind the incredible taste is not within the ingredients, but instead in the smoke and curing stages where billows of smoke in dark smokehouses slowly and steadily spice logs of aged beef. My mouth is watering just thinking about this process…
Air control is a critical aspect of all industry operations, as the smell of the meat smoking process can permeate the air. When the federal government began inspecting meat-packing industries, the first to be inspected was the Lebanon Bologna company. Today, it continues to uphold its notoriety for quality and customer satisfaction as it remains of one of the oldest, continually USDA approved operations in the country. This speaks measures of its product quality.
Keeping their tradition thriving, Seltzer’s Bologna integrates the old world with the modern world, upholding tradition while implementing selective technological improvements as they continue their dominance of a consistent, uniform product. Mix in a little art and science and you have the birth of an exceptional old world-new world smoked bologna that leaves your taste buds begging for more.
Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna is created and prepared with Pennsylvania Dutch quality and pride. In Lebanon County, where the way of life centers around “good food and plenty of it”, Seltzer’s is longstanding American tradition that continues today.
The Man, The Myth, The Legend…
In 1902, Harvey Seltzer, an ambitious butcher, concocted a unique combination of pure beef and spices. From this combination, he produced his bologna becoming so popular that he started production on a much larger scale and named his company Palmyra, his hometown. His original recipe has been handed down from generation to generation and his family today continues to produce the high-quality, exemplary taste, that is Lebanon Bologna.
An Everyday Treat!
Lebanon Bologna, while it is absolutely delicious, is not just a holiday or special occasion eat, it’s a treat for every day and it makes every day a treat! Have a slice of Lebanon Bologna on a sandwich, or chunk it up into a salad, or for the daring souls out there (such as myself), eat it a slice straight from the bologna log, its delightful any way served! Lebanon Bologna has such a profound impact on folks, that in some cases, it is known that the delicious flavors cause people to coin this “Lebanon Baloney”
Pick Some Up Today
If you’re at Shisler’s Cheese House or around the area, be sure to try some of the world renowned Lebanon Bologna. You can’t go wrong and it pairs very nicely with cheese! Eat it as a quick lunch or dinner, or even as a snack on the car ride to or from your destination. Shisler’s Cheese House is a one-stop shop for this delicious taste of Lebanon! Here at Shisler’s Cheese House, we carry Lebanon Bologna and Sweet Lebanon Bologna, both ready for you to try so that you can experience a true taste of the rich Pennsylvania Dutch tradition.
Check out our supply of Lebanon Bologna by clicking on any of the links below!
To visit our site for other delightful eats, click here or the on the image below!
Heggy’s Chocolates… Over 90 Years of Premium, Handcrafted Chocolates!
You’re shopping at your local grocery store and it comes to that point when you’ve reached the checkout line and they always have those shelves above the cash register conveyor belt full of any chocolate bar you could possibly ever think of. These candy bars and chocolates were a staple and always brought tears of joy and excitement to kids and adults alike, as they passed through the grocery store aisles or at the checkout line. Needless to say, this was a great marketing ploy to grab the attention of kids and parents… right as you check out, don’t forget to grab some chocolate and candy for the road! I mean, how could you go wrong? Every one knows Baby Ruth, Hershey’s, Milky Way, M&Ms, etc… and the list goes on. Now, while these chocolates are enjoyed by millions across the nation and even across the world, they don’t come close to beating the handcrafted chocolate delicacy assortments of Ben Heggy’s Chocolates!
A Taste of Heaven…
Ben Heggy’s Handcrafted Chocolates and Candies have been a rich tradition featuring premium, handcrafted chocolates and candies across the United States for over 90 years and continues to be one of the premier companies in its industry. Since its opening in 1923, Heggy’s remains family-owned and operated. They continue their high levels of commitment to satisfaction, to the community, and their customers, alike.
It is truly a rare instance to see a company continue their handcrafted way with chocolates and candies given the vast improvements in computer-run machines and other means of technology. Heggy’s is one of the few that have never changed their ways of handcrafted superiority, as care, patience and dedication are all critical ingredients in Heggy’s one-of-a-kind, delicious taste.
Heggy’s has grown into much more than a household name in handcrafted chocolates and candies. They have revolutionized the industry across the board through decades of tireless work delivering product and superior customer service. Over the years, Heggy’s has built an incredible following of customers and lovers of chocolate and candy.
At Shisler’s Cheese House, we can bring the experience of Heggy’s Chocolates right to your doorstep. With a wide assortment of Heggy’s Chocolates, there is no reason to go anywhere else. Shisler’s Cheese House carries a wide selection of these premium, handcrafted chocolates ready for you! From dark chocolate to milk chocolate to white chocolate assortments, there is no selection that will disappoint you.
A Personal Recommendation…
I had the chance to taste some of Heggy’s Chocolates and my personal choice would be White Chocolate Pretzel Delights. Just looking at one will make your mouth water, but opening the wrapper and tasting this delight just puts you on “Cloud 9” in chocolate heaven. If I had to compare to another chocolate, it would be Hershey’s Cookies N’ Creme, but ohhh, so much better! Imagine Cookies N’ Creme being the appetizer and White Chocolate Pretzel Delights being the dessert! I’d much rather have dessert than an appetizer! But… don’t take my word for it, stop by and try some today!
Heggy’s White Chocolate Pretzel Delights
Great For Any Occasion…
Heggy’s Chocolates can be used for any occasion: holidays, birthday parties, dinners, social events, picnics, reunions, etc… just to name a few. It does not have to be a special event, but Heggy’s Chocolates can make any ordinary event into a special one. Just be aware, you can’t stop after one… once you start, it’s tough to put these decadent, handcrafted chocolates down!
For our entire inventory of Heggy’s Chocolates, click here
History Of The Monte Cristo Sandwich And Its Recipe
When thinking of the name “Monte Cristo”, what comes to mind? The Count of Monte Cristo? The Monte Cristo? The quest for the Holy Grail… wait a second, that’s Monte Python! On the tastier side of things, the most tantalizing of these is the Monte Cristo Sandwich. The Monte Cristo is a delicious sandwich served in delis and restaurants across the world. Known for its savory layers of Swiss cheese and ham, turkey or chicken. This deli delight is far and away a cheese lover’s dream sandwich.
What exactly is the Monte Cristo sandwich?
While the Monte Cristo sandwich tends to vary from restaurant to restaurant or from deli to deli, the general blueprint consists of two slices of white bread containing ham, turkey, or chicken, and slices of Swiss Cheese which are dipped in beaten egg and fried in butter. A classic Monte Cristo sandwich should come with a side of jelly in which you have the option to dip your sandwich for the best Monte Cristo Sandwich experience.
What is the origin of the Monte Cristo Sandwich?
1910s… Most culinary experts believed that the Monte Cristo Sandwich is a variation of a French dish called Croque Monsieur, a grilled cheese sandwich consisting of Gruyere cheese and lean ham layered between two slices of crust-less bread, fried in clarified butter and made in a special grilling iron with two metal plates. Croque Monsieur was served for the first time in a Parisian cafe.
1930s to 1960s… American cookbooks published in this time period showcased this sandwich under a myriad of names including… French Sandwich, Toasted Ham Sandwich and French Toasted Cheese Sandwich, all sounding delicious, but lacking a truly unique sandwich identity.
1950s… This sandwich was first served under the name “The Monte Cristo” in southern California in the 1950s
1966… Disneyland made its contributions to the ever-surging Monte Cristo Sandwich. It appeared on their menu at the Blue Bayou and Tahitian Terrace restaurants in New Orleans’s Square in Disneyland.
Ever since, the Monte Cristo Sandwich has made leaps and bounds in culinary notoriety becoming one of the most delicious sandwiches of our time and finding its place on menus of restaurants, delis, and other sandwich shops, nationally and internationally.
How to make the Monte Cristo…
Ingredients
- 12 slices firm-textured white bread
- Mayonnaise
- 12 slices Swiss cheese, each about 1/8″ thick
- 6 slices cooked ham, each 1/8 to 1/4″ thick
- 6 slices cooked turkey, each 1/8 to 1/4″ thick
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup half-and-half, light cream or milk
- Dash of salt
- 3 to 5 tablespoons butter or margarine
- Powdered sugar
- Parsley sprigs
- Red currant jelly
Directions
Thinly spread one side of each bread slice with mayonnaise. Then assemble 6 sandwiches, using 2 slices of cheese, one slice of ham, and one slice of turkey for each sandwich. Trim bread crusts and filling with sharp knife, making edges of sandwiches even; cut each sandwich in half diagonally.
In a shallow dish, beat eggs, half-and-half, and salt until blended. Places sandwiches in mixture and turn to coat; then let stand, turning occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed. Melt about 3 tablespoons of the butter in a wide frying pan over a medium heat. Add as many sandwiches as will fit without crowding; cook, turning once, until lightly browned on both sides. Remove from pan. Repeat with remaining sandwiches, adding more butter to pan as needed.
Place the sandwiches on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in a 400° oven until cheese is melted (3 to 5 minutes). Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with parsley sprigs. Serve hot, accompanied with jelly. Makes 6 sandwiches.
Pearl Valley Swiss Cheese… More than delicious, it’s Cheese Heaven!
Don’t have any weekend plans and want to take a nice road trip? Does your daily commute take you along US Route 30 through Orrville or Dalton, OH? If so, make sure to stop by the wonderland of cheese stores in the Great Lakes region, Shisler’s Cheese House. Known for its plethora of cheeses and delightful goodies, Shisler’s Cheese House will provide you with one of the best experiences you’ll have this side of the Mississippi.
Among the incredible amount of cheeses, our most famous is Pearl Valley Swiss. Pearl Valley Swiss comes from Fresno, OH, just south of Ohio’s Amish Country. Around since 1928, Pearl Valley Swiss has been an exemplary culinary artwork to all that have had the opportunity to taste this delicious masterpiece. Pearl Valley Swiss has a delightful, yet delicate flavor that cannot be mistaken with its rich, yet smooth flavor. Once you’ve had a bite of Pearl Valley Swiss at Shisler’s Cheese, you will have a new-found appreciation for cheese.
Where to find the gold, that is Pearl Valley Swiss Cheese in our store? Come on in and head straight to our cutting counter and you will see this brilliant display of Pearl Valley Swiss. We also do cheese cuts at your request! Only want a 1/2 lb. or 1/4 lb., we tailor to your requests. At 4.99/lb., you can’t go wrong taking some of this marvelous Swiss Cheese home with you today.
While you’re in the store, be sure to check out all of our other decadent goodies, from delicious cookies to a our large supply of Ben Heggy’s Chocolates to our Troyer’s Original Trail Bologna and other meats. Shisler’s Cheese House is your one-stop shop for a culinary experience you won’t soon forget!
Amish Country Swiss Cheese Fondue
Swiss Cheese Fondue
There are countless recipes for fondue, but most contain some form of the original “Swiss” cheese. Many contain Emmentaler or Gruyere, but in today’s economic climate it is not always necessary to break the bank with expensive imports to impress your guests. The taste is what will impress them, and the best tasting fondue we’ve tried is made with Ohio’s Amish Country Swiss Cheese.
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1 ½ Pounds of Grated Swiss Cheese
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1 peeled fresh garlic clove
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½ Pint of white wine
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1 Ounce of kirsch
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1 teaspoon of cornstarch
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pepper, nutmeg, or paprika to taste
Serves 5 guests.
Out ‘N About Columbus September 29, 2013
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukui2Rh4fgo&w=420&h=315]
Our Segment on Out ‘N About Columbus that aired on September 29, 2013. Here is where you can purchase some of the items that were referenced: Ohio Swiss Cheese, Yogurt Cheese With Garlic and Herb, Manchego Cheese, Smoked Cheddar Cheese, Heggy’s Chocolates.
Shislers Cheese House Copley on New Day Cleveland
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lby5HJNjAjo]
Shisler’s Cheese House Copley is owned by one of our family members. They are located at 1275 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd. Copley, OH 44321 and on the web at www.shislerswordpress-436460-1531479.cloudwaysapps.com.
Don’t Miss Out On The History of Lebanon Bologna
Lebanon Bologna
Resembling salami in texture and appearance, Lebanon Bologna is an all beef, semi-dry, fermented, smoked and cured sausage. This dark colored sausage comes with a distinctive tangy flavor. The traditionally prepared versions of this sausage are infused with a strong smoky flavor through hardwood smoking.
The origins of Lebanon Bologna can be traced back to the Pennsylvania Dutch. It was strongly influenced by the European slow-cured sausages. In Pennsylvania, this sausage is served as luncheon meat and continues to be popularly available. This sausage is produced in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, from where it derives its name.
Bologna was patterned and developed based on German slow cured products by German immigrant farmers settled here. Lebanon Bologna is one of the most unique sausages made in America though it has its origins in Europe.
Since the 18th century, Lebanon Bologna has been popular food stuff in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. This identity food is an intrinsic part of the distinctive culinary heritage of south eastern Pennsylvania. Those who were born and grew up here ate many a slice stuffed in sandwiches smeared with cream cheese or served fried with eggs.
Lebanon Bologna comes in four different flavors namely the original, double smoked, sweet and honey smoked. Realizing the undesirable effects it can have on quality of the final product, very high heat is not used to manufacture this sausage. Thermal processing thus does not exceed 120 °F (49 °C). As high heat is out of question, microbial growth is controlled through other processes and ingredients.
In order to allow for reduction of nitrate to nitrite and for lactic acid bacterial enrichment, the stuffed and blended beef sausage is aged at least for ten days before it is smoked. The smoking phase lasts for four days during which fermentation continues to occur.
Most manufacturers today use good quality lean beef. Savory spices are added in a special blend; the bologna is seasoned and smoked naturally in wooden smokehouses outdoors. Bologna is then cured in a gradual manner over hardwood fires that are hand tended.
As Lebanon Bologna’s distinctive taste comes from the slow smoking method, all manufacturing units have smokehouses constructed of wood in old designs. Walk inside the smoke house and you will be transported right back to ancient times.
Lebanon Bologna was once a seasonal product available only during the November butchering season. Today it is commercially produced throughout the year.
Stop by Shisler’s Cheese House or check out our website and enjoy Lebanon Bologna today! @ $8.99 per lb.
Danish Blue Cheese: Good as Gorgonzola?
Danish Blue Cheese
Danish blue cheese is made from cow’s milk and is also referred to as Danablu. This semi-soft cheese is usually sold block, drum or wedge shaped. The cheese contains distinct blue veins and the cheese is light yellow, creamy white or off white in color.
Bite into this cheese and you cannot miss the salty, biting taste and the heady, strong odor. Just like other semi-soft cheeses, Danish blue cheese comes with the edible rind. During the process of cheese formation, small copper wires or rods are inserted into the cheese curds. As the cheese ages, the blue veins form.
Penicillium roqueforti fills into the pathways formed by the rods. This bacterium is evenly distributed through the mass and the cheese is then left to age for at least twelve weeks in a dark place. Danish blue cheese thus produced contains fat between 25 and 30 percent.
History
It was in the early 20th century that Marius Boel of Denmark created this cheese as a competitor to the Roquefort cheese. Danish blue cheese was indeed equal to its rival in all aspects including aroma, texture and taste. Blue cheese was in existence much before Danish blue cheese and Roquefort cheese. The Gorgonzola originated in 879 AD and Stilton came into existence in the 18th century.
According to the history of blue cheese, its creation was quite an accident. In olden days, all types of cheeses were stored in caves along with other products that had to be refrigerated. As there were no man-made refrigeration techniques available then, products were exposed to moisture and temperature fluctuations in the caves. This resulted in the formation of molds on some of the cheeses.
A worker who probably tasted the cheese along with the mold found it to have a much better flavor, better than the original. This led to further experimentation and molds started being injected into cheese to better the texture and flavor.
Uses
In many countries, Danish blue cheese continues to be served as a snack. This cheese is an ideal accompaniment for toast or crackers. It was served as a crumbly topping with fruits or on salads. In Denmark, this cheese is served for breakfast topping breads and biscuits, or served as a snack. In recent years, Danish blue cheese and other types of blue cheeses have gained in popularity and are used as topping for baked potatoes, steaks and hamburgers.
Is Danish Blue Cheese as good as Gorgonzola, Stilton, or even Roquefort? Quite frankly, it’s a matter of personal preference. To know your palate’s delight, you would have to taste them all side by side. But Danish Blue Cheese is definitely a delicious and lower-cost alternative.
Why Heggy’s Chocolates are better than the Rest
Heggy’s Chocolates Assortment
Ask any passionate chocolate lover and he (or she) will tell you all about the deliciously rich, creamy and smooth Heggy’s chocolates. Heggy’s Candy Company has been offering premium high quality chocolates for over nine decades. Since the time of its establishment in 1923, the company has been providing consumers with premium hand crafted candies and chocolates throughout America.
Today, Heggy’s continues to be a family owned and operated business. They have been serving the community and customers with a high level of commitment and have continued to keep the almost extinct handcrafting quality chocolates and candies alive.
Withstanding the test of time, they have perfected the art of creating masterpieces in chocolate. Every single piece of candy and chocolate offered by Heggy’s is created with a lot of necessary patience and care. Candies and chocolates manufactured by Heggy’s are also packed to precision in individual wrappers. This helps retain their delicious flavor and freshness.
No wonder there are many devoted candy lovers in America loyal to Heggy’s. Chocolates and candies are offered today by this brand over the internet expanding its reach. You can choose from the delicious catalog and have the exquisite flavor of Heggy’s delivered right to your doorstep.
Heggy’s chocolates and candies are ideal as gifts for any occasion. Enjoy the unique taste of their milk chocolates or choose from the exciting range of mouth watering dark chocolates. Bite into the delicious milk chocolate crunch and savor the elusive taste of those buttery peanut brittle bits dipped in rich milk chocolate.
Reach out for the maple walnut creams or enjoy the amazing taste of milk chocolate sprinkled with English walnuts with a soft cream center. The popular milk peanut clusters chocolates come with a vanilla cream center covered with chocolate and fresh ground peanut blend.
If you love dark chocolate, choose the dark chocolate crunch, maple walnut creams, dark chocolate peanut clusters, dark chocolate brownie, peppermint and jersey creams, dark chocolate coated caramel or dark chocolate French mint. There is no dearth of choice.
Heggy’s also has on offer a range of rich caramels including the delicious butterscotch, mouthwatering almond and exciting Brazil nut, pecan, walnut and plain vanilla caramel. This is not all. Heggy’s offers a variety of high quality nuts such as the Redskin Peanuts, Spanish Peanuts, whole cashews, natural pistachios, fancy mixed nuts, roasted salted pecans, roasted salted macadamia nuts, smoked almonds and blanched almonds. If you love chocolates, candies and nuts, Heggy’s is an experience not to be missed.
