Category: Recent Blog Posts

11 Perfect Spring Recipes

The countdown to spring is on! Like every new season, we love celebrating the onset of warmer weather by gathering around great food with friends and family. For us, spring makes us think of the bright flavors of berries and citrus and the crunch of fresh garden produce. We have gathered 11 perfect spring recipes that will keep you feeling light, but aren’t just a boring salad. These 11 perfect spring recipes include breakfast, appetizers, main dishes, and enough sweets to last you until next winter!

1. Morning Breakfast Scramble

Morning Breakfast Scramble - eggs and toast

Wake up to spring with this easy breakfast! Roasted Red Pepper Dip Mix transforms everyday scrambled eggs into a flavor packed meal. If your family is anything like ours, they will come to expect their eggs to have the subtle heat that wakes these eggs up.

2. Triple Berry Parfait

Berry Parfait with cream cheese

Give your morning parfait a dessert twist by replacing the yogurt with a prepared cheeseball mixture. Here we used Triple Berry Twist Cheeseball Mix, but you could swap in any Sweet Cheeseball Mix you like.

3. Lemon Cheesecake Crepes

Lemon and berry crepes

Ah, Paris in the spring… oh wait! We are in the Midwest and it is still technically winter, but you wouldn’t know it when you are eating these for breakfast. Lemon Cheesecake Cheeseball Mix creates a creamy filling for these simple crepes, that taste anything but simple.

4. Veggie Cups

Ranch dip and veggie cups

We think this is such a great way to serve our dips! Just pick out any Savory Dip Mix and pair it with the veggies that are looking the best at the grocery store or farmers market. Carrots, celery, and grape tomatoes are always looking fresh and here we paired them with Back at the Ranch.

5. Zucchini Boats

Zucchini Boats with tomato and ground beef

We love this recipe that uses Bruschetta Cheeseball Mix to take simple ingredients to the next level. It makes a perfect app or side dish, and with the addition of ground beef, they become the perfect light main dish for spring. 

6. Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Lemon rosemary baked chicken on cast iron skillet

This chicken is marinated in a SWEET Cheeseball mix! That’s right! Lemon Cheesecake Cheeseball Mix combines with salty chicken broth and a few savory seasonings to create a perfectly balanced sauce that will crisp up chicken thighs without much effort at all.

7. Dessert Pizza

tropical dessert pizza on cookie crust

This “pizza” has our mouth watering. The directions are simple; spread cookie dough evenly across a pizza pan, cover with prepared cheeseball mixture after it has cooled, and top with your favorite fruit. This one is perfect for the kids to help with, and you can use any Sweet Cheeseball Mix you have on hand.

8. Fruit Kabobs in Raspberry Dip

fruit and berry kabob dipped in raspberry cheesecake dip

As simple as this serving suggestion is, it is sure to impress. Whip up a Raspberry Cheesecake Dip Mix according to the directions and serve with berries and mint held together with a toothpick like a kabob. This dessert is somehow decadent and light at the same time, and it is perfect for a springtime brunch.

9. Mini Dessert Tarts

Mini lemon dessert tarts

Simply fill mini pie crusts with a prepared Sweet Cheeseball Mix and top with fresh fruit. This dessert looks super elegant, and yet takes seconds to make. They would make a perfect neighbor or teacher gift – simply place them in a pastry box and tie with a ribbon.

10. Key-lime Cuties

key lime cream filled vanilla sandwhich cookies

The name says it all. These tiny cream filled cookies are adorable. Simply ice the bottom side of a vanilla wafer cookie with Key Lime Pie Cheeseball mixture or your favorite Sweet Cheeseball and top with a second cookie.

11. Lemon Gooey Bars

lemon or berry gooey butter cake with tea

We saved the best for last. This is our take on the gooey butter cake that is said to have originated in our home state of Missouri in the 1930s. The addition of a Sweet Cheeseball Mix makes these even better than the original. Here we used our Lemon Cheesecake Cheeseball Mix, but we also have a recipe for Berry Gooey Bars. To be honest, these are AMAZING with any Sweet Cheeseball Flavor, so go ahead and try them all!

Sunshine on a Plate

Whether the warmer weather has begun to reach your neck-of-the-woods or not, it is always a good time to bring a little sunshine to your food. Your friends and family will love gathering around the bright flavors of spring with you.

Tag us on Instagram @WindAndWillowFoods or on Facebook.com/WindAndWillowFoods with your spring Wind & Willow creations for a chance to be featured on our page. 

The Best Sweet and Savory Combo

Stock up on this Year-Round Favorite

Jalapeño Peach Cheeseball Mix has become a Summer barbecue must, but there’s something about Spring that makes us crave this combo even more. Maybe its the sweet juicy pieces of real peach that has us hooked, or perhaps its the little kick of jalapeño that makes it impossible to stop eating. Here’s what we know for sure: it’s flying off the shelves in stores all around the country (even the staff at Wind & Willow can’t get enough). 

Once you bring a Jalapeño Peach Cheeseball to a party, your friends and family will demand that you bring it time and time again. So, why not change it up by elevating it into a crostini appetizer? You can follow our recipe below that incorporates peach preserves and rosemary to take the flavors to the next level.

Jalapeño Peach Crostini

Ingredients:

Directions:

Combine Cheeseball Mix and topping packet with cream cheese.  Spread 1 tablespoon of mixture onto each slice of toasted bread.  Top with 1 teaspoon peach preserves and sprinkle with rosemary. Serve as a snack or appetizer.

Connect with us on Social Media

We love seeing how you use Wind & Willow to ring in each new season. Tag us @WindAndWillowFoods on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our page. Like and follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest flavors, recipes, and more!

How to Clean and Season Cast Iron

Cast iron skillets have seen a resurgence in recent years. They remind us of simpler times; however, thinking about their upkeep certainly does not make most people think “simple”. Luckily, learning how to clean and season a cast iron skillet is easier than you think. Read along as we give you our insider tips on keeping them in perfect condition.

Why We Love Cast Iron

It is no secret that we are all about cast iron here at Wind & Willow . We have recipes like Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos and Hot BLT Potatoes that are served up in cast iron skillets, and we have a whole line of Hot Dips with packaging that features smaller versions of the cookware. The following are just a few of the many reasons we love them:

  1. They are nostalgic: Some of us have been around to witness the rise, fall, and rise again of cast iron skillets. In the last 10 years there has been a resurgence of this cookware that holds good memories for many.
  2. They last forever: If you don’t want to buy a new cast iron pan, no worries! Flea markets are filled with these abandoned beauties just waiting to be restored to their former glory. 
  3. They are non-stick: When a layer of oil is heated past the smoking point on the surface of the pan (this is known as seasoning), it creates a smooth, protected non-stick layer.
  4. They hold heat well: Cast iron tends to be thicker than other pans, so it can hold heat longer, making it ideal for serving items that you want to keep warm.
  5. They are beautiful: The dark black color of cast iron creates the perfect backdrop to showcase your culinary creations.

How to Clean Cast Iron

If you have bought a new cast iron from the store, you can skip this step for now. Cast iron only needs to be thoroughly cleaned if rust forms on the surface of the pan. Use steel wool to scrub the pan while it is dry. Once the rust is lifted, scrub it with a scouring pad along with mild dish soap and warm water. Rinse and thoroughly dry the surface of the pan. Immediately season the pan to avoid rusting in the future.

How to Season Cast Iron

Most new cast iron pans come already seasoned, in which case you can also skip on down to the next section. If you bought your skillet used, or your trusty old pan could use some love, this is the best way to easily season your cast iron skillet.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, place a small amount of vegetable oil in the pan. Using a clean paper towel spread the oil over the surface of the pan in a sweeping motion. Coat both the cooking surface and the outer surface of the pan in a thin layer of oil (too much oil will cause the surface to become sticky). Next, place the skillet face down on the center rack of the oven and bake for 1 hour. Remove the pan and allow to cool before storing in a dry place.

How to Care for Cast Iron

To prevent rust in your cast iron pan and to help it retain its non-stick qualities, there are just a few steps to take after each use. First, pour course salt onto the cooking surface while it is still warm and rub with a rag. This will get up any bits of food left on the surface. Next, rinse the skillet under warm water and dry thoroughly. Place a couple teaspoons of oil on the cooking surface and coat the inside of the pan using a paper towel. Lastly, place on the stove over medium heat just until it starts to smoke. Cool and store in a dry place.

And That’s It!

It requires a bit of extra work to get your cast iron skillet in working order and to care for it after use, but once you’ve learned how to clean and season a cast iron skillet, it is completely worth the nostalgia that it will bring to the table. Once you purchase a cast iron pan you will never need to purchase one again – unless like us you want to have one in every size possible. Comment below with any other tips you have for how to clean and season a cast iron skillet.

We love to see what delicious Wind & Willow recipes you are serving up at your gatherings. Tag us @WindAndWillowFoods with a picture your favorite way to use cast iron with Wind & Willow for a chance to be featured on our page.

Romantic Dessert for Two

It’s February; love and chocolate are in the air. With Wind & Willow you can show your valentine how much they mean to you through their love language: Food! Create a romantic dinner for two in minutes using our Spinach and Artichoke Cheeseball Mix to make Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Pasta. For dessert, wow them with our Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheeseball or dress up Brownie Batter Cheesecake Dip Mix with our recipe below by adding more chocolate, brownies, and strawberries.

Decadent Brownie Batter Dessert

  • Wind & Willow Brownie Batter Cheesecake Dip Mix
  • 8 oz package of cream cheese
  • 2 Tbs water
  • Chocolate sauce
  • Milk chocolate chunks
  • Prepared brownie, chopped

Directions:
In a mixing bowl combine the mix, cream cheese, and water, beating with a mixer until light and fluffy. Spoon into a small bowl and top with chocolate sauce, chocolate sauce, and brownie for garnish. 

*Tip: serve with chocolate cookies and fresh strawberries for an extra special Valentine’s Day treat.