Make Your Burger Special: Spread it on!

I love a good hamburger and am always looking for new toppings or recipes to try (or just an excuse to make them for dinner). I get bored with the same old mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup on my burger, so I decided to try a couple different spreads to give each hamburger more personality and flavor.

You may have noticed an increase in the number of recipes, articles, and blogs that are talking about pimento cheese. This retro product is being reinvented all over the country, and I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. I picked up some Mrs. Kinser’s Pimento Cheese Spread with Pepper Jack and spread it on my hamburger patty for an extra kick. The result was a delicious, gooey topping that added just the right amount of flavor, without being too spicy. I deemed this burger, the “Throwback”, because it highlights a product that gained popularity in the 1920′s, and is currently resurfacing on menus and store shelves across the country.

For more of a gourmet hamburger, I went with Stonemill Kitchens Artichoke Parmesan Dip.  I paired this product with a turkey burger, because the rich artichoke Parmesan dip was a nice compliment to the lean turkey meat. Make sure the patty is piping hot before spreading on the dip to ensure that the Parmesan cheese will melt. I topped this burger with some fresh arugula and caramelized onions and the result was a gourmet-inspired turkey burger that is now one of my go-to dishes!

Whether you’re making hamburgers for your family or serving them for guests, these easy additions will bring your burger to the next level! Not only can you mix up the spreads, but try different toppings as well. Things like bacon, sauteed mushrooms, salad greens, caramelized onions, and roasted red pepper are “gourmet” touches that any home cook can master. Enjoy!

For more information about these products, check out their websites:

Stonemill Kitchens

Mrs. Kinser’s

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Posted by Lacey

Share your BBQ Tips and Tricks for a chance to win!

Are you a BBQ aficionado? As the weather heats up, so will the grills, and Reser’s wants to help two lucky winners host a great Memorial Day BBQ! We want to know your tips to hosting the perfect BBQ, and two winners will be randomly selected to win the ultimate BBQ Basket! Simply post your tips in the comments section of our blog, or on our Facebook page to enter.

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Two winners will receive a BBQ Basket filled with these great items:

• Reser’s American Classics Cole Slaw
• Reser’s American Classics Potato Salad
• Stonemill Kitchens Artichoke Jalapeño Dip
• Reser’s Baja Cafe Salsa
• Reser’s Rainbow Parfait
• Reser’s Baked Beans
• 4 Beverage Coozies
• BBQ Tongs
• 1 Apron
• 1 Hot Mitt
• Bamboo Skewers

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Entries must be made by Monday, May 23rd to be valid for this contest. The two winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 24th before noon Pacific Standard Time. Keep an eye on Facebook, Twitter, and the Blog for the names of the two winners. Good Luck!

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Posted by Lacey

Give Mom What She Really Wants–You!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. But we think Mother’s Month sounds more like it. Somehow, one day just doesn’t seem like enough time to celebrate all of the special things that moms do.

From helping with our homework, to patiently guiding us during the tumultuous teen years, to giving us someone who will always listen, moms really are amazing. Here are 4 ways to show mom how much you care.

This Mother’s Day….

1. Offer to host your family’s next holiday get-together.
   Short on time? Pick up one of Reser’s great side dishes or deserts.
2. Ask her about her week.
   Then really listen to what she has to say.  That means no multitasking or checking your smart phone.
3. 3. Don’t just send flowers.
   Hand-deliver them if you can. Along with the simple, delicious appetizer featured below! Stay awhile and enjoy it with her!
4. Out of state—doesn’t mean out of mind. 
   Call her on Saturday, because you “just couldn’t wait” ‘til Sunday to tell her how much you care.

Smoked Salmon Potato Cakes with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients:

• 20 oz Main St. Bistro Baked Scalloped Potatoes (she won’t know they aren’t homemade!)
•  4 oz smoked salmon
• 1 egg
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• Pinch of salt

Makes approximately 18 cakes

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Directions:

1. Chop scalloped potatoes into smaller pieces. Add smoked salmon chunks, egg, bread crumbs, and black pepper. Mix.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, add scalloped potato mixture to the pan. Fry until golden brown.
3. Remove and let drawin on a paper towel. Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the fresh cilantro. Add yogurt, salt, and the other half of the pepper and blend until smooth.
4. Serve each potato cake with 1 tbs. of sauce on top, and garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!

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Tips:

• If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop the cilantro and incorporate into the yogurt with the salt and pepper. Use a whisk to combine until smooth.
• Feel free to substitute non-fat plain yogurt when making the sauce.
• For a spicy twist on your sauce, add a few teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce.
• Click this link For frying guidelines

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Posted by Lacey

Spice Up Your BBQ Menu with Asian-Inspired Cole Slaw!

Spring is upon us, and as the days start getting longer and the kids get out of school for the summer, there will be plenty of opportunities for family time! An outdoor picnic or BBQ is a great way to spend time with friends and family without putting a strain on your wallet. When you think of a picnic or BBQ, you may think of hotdogs, hamburgers, and watermelon. These dishes are definitely on my BBQ menu, but I never leave out the cole slaw! When I make cole slaw for my family, I always look for ways to jazz up the flavor and incorporate ingredients that take my recipe to the next level. If you’re adding special ingredients to your cole slaw, it doesn’t matter if it’s not made from scratch. When I use Reser’s Cole Slaw, no one knows the difference!

The following recipe will help you spice up this timeless side dish.  A time-saving tip; purchase a 1LB. Reser’s American Classics Cole Slaw from your local deli as the base for your cole slaw creation! This slaw provides the perfect backdrop for adding special ingredients, without the hassle of chopping all that cabbage. There are virtually hundreds of different recipes for a “special” cole slaw, but one of my current favorites features flavors from Asia. Not only is this dish ideal for a picnic or BBQ, it is versatile enough for any occasion. Bring it to your next potluck or birthday party, and the guests will definitely be impressed!

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Asian-Inspired Cole Slaw

• 1LB Reser’s American Classics Cole Slaw (or homemade)
• ½ Tbs. ginger root, peeled and grated on a Microplane zester (see image )  
• Half of a lime, juiced and zested on a Microplane
• 1/3 cup green onion, thinly sliced
• 1 Tsp. Sambal Oelek (chili paste)
  • Feel free to add more if you want it extra spicy!
• 1 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbs. black sesame seeds
• 3 Tbs. rice wine vinegar
• Cilantro leaves, for garnish

 Directions: 

Add all ingredients to the cole slaw and mix thoroughly! Serve chilled and garnish with cilantro leaves.

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Posted by Lacey