Two Great New Products from Wind & Willow

New products are now shipping from Wind & Willow HQ! From One sweet, one savory, both full of the bold exciting flavor you’ve come to expect!

All the flavors of your favorite street tacos right to your table! This flavorful mix creates a delicious dip that’s perfect for snacking, parties, or topping tacos.

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the season! This exquisite blend of berries effortlessly transforms into a beautiful and delicious dessert masterpiece. Perfect for any occasion that calls for a touch of elegance.”

Football Feast: Recipes for the Big Game

Touchdown! You’ve found the perfect place to fuel your game-day celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a raucous party or simply enjoying the game with a few close friends, Wind & Willow has you covered. We’ll share delicious recipes for the big game that are easy to make, guaranteed to be a hit, and most importantly, delicious. Let’s get cooking and make this game day unforgettable!

Beer Cheese Hot Dip

Beer Cheese Hot Dip Mix

Wind & Willow Beer Cheese Hot Dip is a guaranteed hit at any Super Bowl party. This creamy, cheesy masterpiece, with its unique blend of spices and a hint of beer, will have guests reaching for seconds (and thirds!). Serve it warm with a basket of pretzels, crusty bread, or even veggies for a healthier option. The rich flavors and satisfying texture will keep the crowd happy while they cheer on their favorite team.

Charcuterie Bites

Recipes for the Big Game: charcuterie bites

This app is like the perfect charcuterie board bite preassembled, so you don’t have to look away during the big game! A savory Wind & Willow Cheeseball Mix is prepared and smeared over slices of pepperoni and salami. Roll up each slice, cut in half, and secure with an olive topped toothpick. For all the details and tips, click here for the recipe.

7 Layer Dip Cups

Recipes for the Big Game: individual 7-layer-dip

This easy-to-make 7-Layer Dip is the perfect game-day snack. It’s like a winning offense – each layer brings something new to the table. Start with a solid foundation of refried beans, then layer on the guacamole, our delicious Dip Mix, and top it all off with salsa, cheese, and olives. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to score big with your fans!

Quick Spinach Dip

Recipes for the Big Game using Wind & Willow Fresh picked spinach mix

Transform your Wind & Willow Fresh Picked Spinach Dip Mix into a warm and eye-catching appetizer with the addition of a few ingredients like sour cream and extra cheese. Bonus points for broiling the whole dish off in a hollowed out bread loaf for a show-stopping presentation your family and friends will love. Check out the full recipe here for all the details.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Recipes for the Big Game using Wind & Willow Roasted Red Pepper and other Dip Mixes

Keep your guests on their toes with unique dipping options for your traditional game day chicken wings! Here we opted for Wind & Willow Roasted Red Pepper Dip instead of the traditional ranch or blue cheese. You could even serve a traditional dip like Back at the Ranch, alongside something fun and different like spicy Chipotle Cheddar.

The Best Snack for any Game

Check out even moretips and recipes for the big game in our Ultimate Beginners Guide for Hosting a Tailgate Party here!

Wind & Willow products make it easy to whip up snacks for any game day get-together. With these mixes and a few ingredients on hand, you have these and hundreds of recipes at your fingertips. We would love to see how you are using Wind & Willow products to celebrate the big game. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram @windandwillowfoods for a chance to be featured on our page.

Quick and Easy Holiday Appetizer Idea for Busy Hosts

With parties to host, potlucks to attend, and a million things on the to-do list this holiday, having an easy go to appetizer recipe in your back pocket is essential.

Easy Holiday Appetizer: Crostini Perfection

With the holiday season in full swing, parties to host, and potlucks to attend, a quick and easy appetizer recipe is a lifesaver. Not only does it keep your guests happy and occupied while you finish up the main course, but it also allows you to enjoy the festivities without stressing over complicated preparations.

That’s why we love Crostini Appetizers. Wind & Willow mixes make it effortless to create gourmet bites that will wow your guests. With minimal effort, you can whip up a stunning and delicious Easy Holiday Appetizer that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Bite-sized, customizable, and oh-so-delicious… Ready to dive into the world of crostini? Let’s break down the basics:

The Building Blocks of a Perfect Crostini

A crostini is a simple yet elegant appetizer that consists of three main components:

  1. The Base: Toasted bread slices, typically from a baguette or ciabatta loaf.
  2. The Spread: A creamy or chunky topping, like cheese, pâté, or tapenade.
  3. The Garnish: A final touch to enhance flavor and presentation, such as fresh herbs, nuts, or fruit.

Crafting the Perfect Base

  • Choose Your Bread: Opt for a sturdy bread like a baguette or ciabatta.
  • Slice it Thin: Cut the bread into 1/2-inch thick slices.
  • Toast to Perfection: Toast the bread slices in a toaster oven or on a baking sheet until golden brown and crispy.

Pro Tips:

For added flavor, brush the bread slices with olive oil or melted butter before toasting.

Many stores now sell these small baguette toasts ready-made! You can find them in the cracker or bread aisle, but we prefer the ones in the bakery area that are freshly made.

baguette or italian loaf cut for crostini

Endless Topping Possibilities

The fun part of making crostini is experimenting with different toppings. Here are a few ideas to inspire your creativity:

Garnishing a Crostini

Topping your crostini appetizers with a garnish is totally optional, but gives even more room for creativity! You can garnish with a contrasting flavor, like topping a Jalapeno Jack crostini with cranberry jelly. You can garnish to add color like adding the tomato and herb topping to the top of a BLT crostini. Likewise, you can add a garnish that hints at the flavor of the topping, like adding cheddar and bacon to the top of a Smokehouse Bacon & Cheddar crostini. Keep it simple by topping the crostini with the included cheeseball topping packet, or let your creative side show by trying out new combinations on each slice. 

Some of our Favorite Combos

Jalapeno Jack + Cranberry Sauce

Caramelized Onion + Caramelized Onions

Bacon Stuffed Mushroom + Mushroom, Cheese, and Chive

Bruschetta + Fresh Tomatoes, Bacon, and Balsamic Glaze

The Perfect Holiday Appetizer Could not be Easier

Toasted bread? Check! Wind & Willow Cheeseball and topping? Check! There you have it. The perfect holiday appetizer with items you can keep on hand. Crostini appetizers will make you look like you worked hard, but truly you will have gotten the party started with minimal effort. That is the beauty of having Wind & Willow in the pantry. With the time you save, you may actually be able to relax and enjoy your guests!

We would love to see the creative combinations that you use to make your own crostini recipes! Tag us on Facebook and Instagram @Windandwillowfoods for a chance to be featured.

How to gift Wind & Willow

Looking for unique and delicious holiday gifts? Wind & Willow makes it easy to spread joy with our gourmet food mixes. Whether you’re gifting friends, family, or neighbors, our products are the perfect way to show you care. Here is how we love to gift Wind & Willow:

Gourmet Gift Baskets

  • Hot Cocoa Haven: Create a cozy gift basket with Wind & Willow Hot Cocoa Mixes, marshmallows, candy canes, and festive mugs. Bonus points for vintage style santa mugs!
  • Grazing Board Grandeur: Elevate your gift with a beautiful cutting board and a selection of Wind & Willow mixes for the perfect charcuterie board.
  • Hot Dip Delight: Gift a mini cast iron pan, Hot Dip Mix, and a potholder for a complete cooking experience.

DIY Gourmet Treats

Share Your Wind & Willow Gifts

There are so many ways to make and share Wind & Willow. Beautiful images give each package a unique look that can bring a gift basket theme to life. The mix inside is as delicious as the package is pretty. So whether you give a box for them to have on hand or prepare it for them as a host gift, Wind & Willow is the gift they will look forward to every year.

We love seeing how you gift Wind & Willow! Share your creations on social media and tag us @windandwillowfoods on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to be featured on our page.

Shop Our Seasonal Favorites

Don’t miss out on our limited-edition holiday offerings: Hot Cocoa (including White Chocolate Peppermint and Salted Caramel flavors), Apple Cider, and Holiday Cheeseball Mixes (Including Cranberry Pecan and Apple Strudel flavors).

Grab All These Harvest Flavors Now

Fall is in the air and we are ready to gather around good food with friends and family.

Fall is in the air, and it’s time to gather ’round the table with harvest flavors. Cozy up with our delicious Wind & Willow Fall Shop offerings, including Apple Cider Mixes, Hot Cocoa Mixes, Roasted Pecan Mixes, and our Harvest Cheeseballs – Pumpkin Pie, Caramel Apple, and Cookie Dough! These harvest flavors often sell-out, so get them now before they are gone for the season.

Featured Harvest Flavors: Apple, Caramel, amd Spice

This month we are highlighting our versatile Apple Cider Mixes which are perfect for any occasion. Simply add the mix to a gallon of apple cider or juice to enjoy the warm, inviting aroma of autumn spices throughout your home. These mixes can also elevate your favorite treats: transform traditional apple pie into a Caramel Apple Pie, store-bought sugar cookies into Spiced Orange Cookies, or create a cozy Caramel Toddy with a splash of spiced rum.

Don’t miss our incredible Apple Cake recipe! This fall favorite requires only four additional ingredients, making it a simple yet delicious addition to your seasonal menu.

Check out the full recipe below.

Incredible Apple Cake

Ingredients

• Wind & Willow Caramel Apple or Original Mulled Cider Mix

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 box yellow cake mix

• 1 can apple pie filling

• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Pour into a lightly oiled 9×13” pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.  Cool and serve!  Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce for an extra special treat!

How do you use Harvest Flavors?

We have loved seeing all the ways you are using Wind & Willow. Snap a picture of your holiday display and make sure to tag us on Facebook and Instagram @WindAndWillow for a chance to be featured on our page.

Make Hasselback Potatoes with This Simple Recipe

Have you ever wanted to impress your guests with a dish that looks fancy but is actually quite simple to make? Look no further than Hasselback potatoes. These thinly sliced potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making them the perfect canvas for any topping. In this post, we’ll show you a hasselback potato recipe and then show you how to load them up with delicious Cheesy Bacon Dip Mix.

For the Hasselback Potato:

  • 4 medium russet potatoes
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 stick cold butter, optional

For the topping:

Recipe Instructions:

  1. Prepare the potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes clean and pat them dry.
  2. Make the cuts: Place the potatoes on a cutting board and make shallow cuts into the potatoes, about 1/4 inch apart. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
  3. Roast the potatoes: Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. To create even more prominent spaces, place a pat of butter between each cut. This step is not necessary but can make your cuts stay spaced out while cooking. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, or until tender.
  4. Prepare Dip: Combine Dip Mix, mayo, and sour cream in a small bowl and mix until incorporated.
  5. Assemble: Once the potatoes are done, stuff the cuts with the Cheesy Bacon Dip. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, bacon, and parsley.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

This hasselback potato recipe with cheesy bacon dip mix are sure to be a hit at your next party or family gathering. The crispy exterior and creamy interior, combined with the savory flavors of the cheesy bacon mix, make for a truly delicious and satisfying dish.

Whipping up this recipe or another Wind & Willow favorite? We love getting to see your unique creations. Tag us on social media @windandwillowfoods to be featured on our pages!


	

How to Make Turtle Cheesecake Cookie Cups: Step-by-Step Guide

Who says dessert has to be complicated? These Turtle Cheesecake Cookie Cups are the perfect blend of chocolate, caramel and nuts, all wrapped up in a cute little package. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a decadent treat, these little bites are sure to impress.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Making Your Own Cookie Cups:

If you prefer homemade cookie cups, here’s a quick guide:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Roll 2 tablespoons of cookie dough into a ball and place in a muffin tin.
  • Bake for 14 minutes or as directed.
  • While still warm, press the center of the cookie with the end of a wooden spoon to form a cup.
  • Let cool completely.

Assembling the Turtle Cheesecake Cups:

  1. Combine: Soften the cream cheese and mix it thoroughly with the Turtle Cheesecake Cheeseball & Dessert Mix.
  2. Fill: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the prepared cookie cups.
  3. Top: Sprinkle with included pecans. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with caramel sauce.

Tips:

  • Make Ahead: Prepare the cookie cups in advance and store them in an airtight container. Fill and top them just before serving.
  • Customize: Feel free to experiment with different toppings, such as chocolate chips or sea salt.
  • Serve: These cookie cups are perfect for parties, potlucks, or as a delightful dessert for two.

There you have it! A simple yet incredibly satisfying dessert that’s sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy!

A Box Full of Possibilities

Read along and discover all the ways the team at Wind & Willow incorporates this Swiss Army Knife of a product into their culinary creations.

Each Wind & Willow product is a treasure trove of possibilities! Every box provides simple instructions and an extra recipe, with even more recipes available online. The versatility of these products goes beyond recipes to simple ways to utelize the mix in dishes you might already be making at home. Roasted Red Pepper Dip Mix is a perrenial top seller for this very reason. Read along and discover all the ways the team at Wind & Willow incorporates this Swiss Army Knife of a product into their culinary creations.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip Mix

Prepare mix as directed -with sour cream and mayo:

• Enjoy as a dip for veggies, chips, or crackers

• Use on a sandwich as a spread

• Stir into cooked and cubed chicken for delicious chicken salad

• Stir into cooked pasta and chopped fresh veggies for pasta salad

Top a delicious 7 Layer Salad

Use the dry mix:

• Sprinkle on to vegetables tossed in olive oil and bake at 350 until softened

• Combine with homemade or store-bought hummus 

Mix with oil and use to baste corn as it cooks on the grill

We also love these quick and easy recipes:

Morning Breakfast Scramble

Take the flavor up a notch or two with the taste of roasted red peppers in this simple recipe.


Southwest Roasted Peppers

This warm and cheesy dish is the perfect weeknight dinner for a crowd.


Roasted Red Pepper Cheesy Bread

This recipe is about as easy as it gets. 4 ingredients create this cheesy masterpiece that is so flavorful it is hard to stop eating.

Unleash your inner chef! Wind & Willow isn’t just about following a recipe, it’s about creating flavor explosions. Our mixes are springboards for your culinary creativity. We provide inspiration, but the possibilities are endless. So grab your favorite Wind & Willow mix and get ready to make mealtime an adventure! 

We would love to see how you are using Wind & Willow. Tag us on Instagram @WindAndWillowFoods or on Facebook.com/windandwillowfoods with pictures of the creative ways you are using our products! 

Fresh Citrus and Berry Recipes

Key Lime Pie Puppy Chow

Key lime flavored dessert in a fresh kitchen scene

This recipe takes the puppy chow recipe we all know and sends it on a tropical vacation! White chocolate and Wind & Willow Key Lime Dessert Mix create a new and exciting flavor profile that is perfect to munch on by the pool this summer. Find the full recipe here.

No Bake Cheesecake Jars

Blackberry mini cheesecake trifles in mason jars for a summer dessert on a rustic background

After following the package directions to prepare a Wind & Willow No-Bake Cheesecake Mix, spoon the mixture into a small mason jar along with crushed graham crackers and then get creative with your toppings! Find step-by-step instructions and our recipe for blackberry compote here.

Strawberry Shortcake

Southern style strawberry shortcake on a biscuit in a retro picnic background

Fluffy biscuits are layered up with Wind & Willow Strawberry Shortcake Dessert Mix and garnished with strawberries for a show stopping display. Full recipe here.

Lemon Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bites

Easy snack recipe for kids in the summer, DIY lemon blueberry yogurt popsicles

The ultimate citrus and berry combination…. Wind & Willow Lemon Blueberry Dessert Mix. When this mix is combined with plain yogurt and frozen into popsicles, the combination is absolutely irresistible. Find the full recipe here.

We love seeing all the creative ways you make and share our products! Tag us on social media @windandwillowfoods for a chance to be featured on our page.

3 Vibrant Lunch Ideas for Spring

  1. BLT Heirloom Tomato Tart

Bright, fresh, and beautiful, this easy dish is perfect for last minute company. Check out the quick and easy recipe here.

2. Avocado Ranch Drizzled Tacos

Whip up a serving of Avocado Ranch Sauce using this recipe and prepare your favorite protein and veg ahead of time. Assemble a quick week day lunch, or turn it into a taco bar for a crowd!

3. Creamy Lemon & Herb Soup

Turn Baked Potato Soup into the perfect lunch for a rainy spring day. Prepare the soup mix as directed, adding a can of drained white beans, the juice of half a lemon, and your preferred fresh herbs. This recipe is both fresh and hearty at the same time.

We hope this list gives you some new ideas for easy and delicious lunches even when you are short on time. We love to see all the ways you use our products. Tag us on social @windandwillowfoods