Food and Beverage

Celebrate the Holidays with Festive Mexican Favorites

As you gather with loved ones for the holidays, you can enhance the magic of the season by adding Chispa – a special spark – to your dinner table. It’s as easy as adding classic Mexican dishes to your menu.

Published

3 months ago

November 3, 2022

Rebecca Bigham

(Family Features) As you gather with loved ones for the holidays, you can enhance the magic of the season by adding Chispa – a special spark – to your dinner table. It’s as easy as adding classic Mexican dishes to your menu.

The key to adding this special spark is using authentic Mexican ingredients, which you can find in recipes like Chorizo and Oaxaca Tamales and Oaxaca, Potato and Chorizo Empanadas. These flavorful dishes feature delicious additions from Cacique, one of the country’s top authentic Hispanic food brands, that the whole family will love.

When planning your flavor-fueled festivities, consider these must-have ingredients.

Chorizo: Whether pork, beef or soy, chorizo adds the spices and hearty flavors of Mexican cuisine to any recipe.
Oaxaca: Similar in flavor to mozzarella but even meltier, you can enjoy this buttery cheese in many dishes.
Crema Mexicana: With a neutral, fresh-tasting flavor and silky, pourable texture, this everyday table cream is used for balancing spicy dishes.

Find more delicious additions to your holiday menu at CaciqueFoods.com.

Chorizo and Oaxaca Tamales

Prep time: 60 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Servings: 10-12

40 dried corn husks
water
3 packages Cacique Pork, Beef or Soy Chorizo
1 medium onion (about 1 cup), minced
8 pounds basic tamale dough, at room temperature
3 packages (10 ounces each) Cacique Oaxaca Cheese, cut into 1/2-inch strips

tamale steamer
Cacique Crema Mexicana, for serving
Cacique Homestyle Mild Salsa, for serving

In large bowl, cover corn husks with boiling water and soak at least 1 hour. Remove excess water and pat each husk dry.
In large skillet, cook chorizo according to package instructions. Add onions; saute over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Cool thoroughly.
To make tamales: Prepare one husk at a time by placing husk on open palm, smearing 3 tablespoons tamale dough on husk from side to side and to bottom, leaving 3 inches of top untouched for folding. Place 1 tablespoon chorizo mixture in center and top with one strip of Oaxaca. Fold 1/3 of husk to left and 1/3 to right, overlapping; pinch bottom to seal and gently fold over top to create small rectangle.
Add adequate room temperature water to tamale steamer and set steamer grate. Place formed tamales, vertically and upside down, tightly packed. Once first layer of tightly packed tamales is complete, begin second layer of tamales horizontally.
Cover and steam over medium-high heat 45 minutes-1 hour. Check water level at 45 minutes. If water is low, gently add hot water to side of pot.
Remove one tamale to check doneness. Tamale is cooked when dough separates from husk when unwrapping. Serve hot with crema and salsa.

Oaxaca, Potato and Chorizo Empanadas

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 empanadas

Dough:

1 stick, plus 6 tablespoons, cold unsalted butter, cubed
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm water
1 egg, at room temperature, whisked

Filling:

1 package Cacique Pork Chorizo
2 russet potatoes, cubed
5 ounces Cacique Oaxaca Cheese, cubed
1 egg, well-beaten, for egg wash

Preheat oven to 350 F.
To make dough: Use pastry cutter or fork to cut butter into flour until it forms crumbly consistency. Sprinkle in salt and stir. Pour in warm water and egg; stir until clumpy dough forms. Knead dough about 5 minutes. Cut dough into 24 pieces and, using hands, roll each piece into ball. With rolling pin, roll balls evenly into 5-6-inch circles.
To make filling: In pan over medium heat, cook chorizo, stirring until it crumbles. Add cubed potatoes. Cover and cook until potatoes are soft then uncover and cook 5-10 minutes until liquid evaporates.
Fill empanadas by placing 2-3 tablespoons chorizo and potato mixture with 2-3 Oaxaca cubes in each dough circle. With finger, run egg wash across one side of circles. Fold over and seal edges by pressing down with fork or create folds and pinch to seal filling inside. Brush tops with egg wash.
Prepare parchment-lined baking sheets and place empanadas on sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden-brown.

SOURCE:
Cacique

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Rebecca Bigham

Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters.

Food and Beverage

Reese’s has really gone wild this time. Introducing Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2023

Daily News Staff

Everyone’s favorite candy brand unleashes its latest snack item – bite size Animal Crackers covered in peanut butter candy and dipped in milk chocolate

HERSHEY, Pa. /PRNewswire/ — Reese’s is charging into your snack drawer with its new snack option – Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers. Worlds collide and this nostalgic childhood snack meets your favorite chocolate and peanut butter candy.

Reese’s is charging into your snack drawer with its new snack option – Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers. Tweet

These bite-sized animal crackers are covered in peanut butter candy and dipped in milk chocolate to give you that delicious Reese’s taste, now in a snack form. It’s an absolute zoo inside. Featuring 13 different animal shapes from lions to bears, your tastebuds are sure to go “Oh, my!”

“Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers are sweet and crunchy creating the ultimate snack. They’re truly something to howl about,” said Nowell Kahle, manager, Snacks & Grocery at The Hershey Company.

Fans can grab Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers available now nationwide. For more information, click here.

Keep up with everything Reese’s on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

*Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 19,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 100 brand names in approximately 80 countries around the world that drive more than $8.9 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers, and fast-growing salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and Dot’s Pretzels.

For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com

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SOURCE The Hershey Company

Food and Beverage

Valentine’s Recipes You’ll Love to Share

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2023

Rebecca Bigham and Rod Washington

(Family Features) If the way to your loved one’s heart is through the stomach, there’s no better way to start off this Valentine’s Day than with a homemade breakfast prepared with love.

Whether you’re whipping up a breakfast for a spouse with a sophisticated palate or trying to tempt the taste buds of your littlest loves, explore these ideas to get inspired.

Red is the color of love, so build your menu around fresh strawberries or raspberries, which pair perfectly with French toast or crepes, and can even dress up a simple cereal.
For a more sensible menu, opt for a fruity berry smoothie or a parfait layered with fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt and granola. Add a hint of loving indulgence by sprinkling dark chocolate shavings on top.
Show your affection with a plate of these colorful Cocoa-Kissed Red Velvet Pancakes featuring rich 100 percent cocoa, buttermilk and fresh berries. Heart-shaped cookie cutters lend a special touch to these fluffy, flavorful pancakes. Add sweet garnishes like powdered sugar and berries for a sensational way to say “I love you.”

Find more recipes you’ll love to share with your nearest and dearest this Valentine’s Day at Culinary.net.

Cocoa-Kissed Red Velvet Pancakes
Recipe courtesy of Nestlé
Servings: 10 pancakes

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons Nestlé Toll House Baking Cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 cup reduced-fat buttermilk or low-fat milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon red food coloring
heart-shaped pancake cutters or cookie cutters (optional)
butter, for garnish (optional)
powdered sugar, for garnish (optional)
maple syrup, for garnish (optional)
fresh berries, for garnish (optional)

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir well.
In separate large bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, unsalted butter, vanilla extract and food coloring. Add to flour mixture; stir to combine. Allow mixture to sit 5 minutes.
Heat nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Brush with oil or butter. Add about 1/4 cup batter to skillet. Cook about 2 minutes, or until bubbles start to form on top. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes, or until bottom is lightly browned. Serve immediately with butter, powdered sugar, syrup and berries, if desired.

Tip: If using pancake or cookie cutters, be sure to coat with oil so pancakes don’t stick. Place cutters in skillet and pour batter into cutters. Remove cutters before flipping.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Food and Beverage

Celebrating National Peanut Butter Day

Published

5 days ago

January 24, 2023

Rod Washington and Rebecca Bigham

National Peanut Butter Day on January 24th recognizes an American staple in our pantries. Whether creamy or chunky, with chocolate or with jelly, peanut butter gets the recognition it deserves each year on this day. ( National Day Calendar)

Peanut butter is a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It commonly contains additional ingredients that modify the taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers. Consumed in many countries, it is the most commonly used of the nut butters, a group that also includes cashew butter and almond butter (though peanuts are not nuts, peanut butter is culinarily considered a nut butter).

Peanut butter is a nutrient-rich food containing high levels of protein, several vitamins, and dietary minerals. It is typically served as a spread on bread, toast, or crackers, and used to make sandwiches (notably the peanut butter and jelly sandwich). It is also used in a number of breakfast dishes and desserts, such as granola, smoothies, crepes, cookies, brownies, or croissants. (wikipedia)