Wine Meets Cheese every Friday night in May at Chaddsford Winery in Peddler’s Village.

Chaddsford Winery will be pairing six Chaddsford wines with six cheeses from two Peddler’s Village shops, Grandpa Hicks Cheese & Gourmet and Casa Casale. 

Sample pairings include Due Rossi paired with Locatelli Romano, Pinot Noir paired with Canadian Extra Dry Cheddar and Proprietors Reserve White paired with Fig-infused Goat Cheese.

Available dates are May 6, 13, 20, and 27. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. $30 per person. Please RSVP in advance to 215-794-9655.

This Recipe of the Week for a Three-Cheese Fondue from Grandpa Hicks Cheese & Gourmet will become your favorite fondue recipe!

The Gruyere adds a very sweet and nutty flavour, the sharp Cheddar makes it tangy, and the Emmentaler blends it all.  (Tip: Cooking the flour first helps the mixture avoid a pasty and powdery texture.)

Ingredients

1 cup white wine

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

7 ounces Gruyere cheese, cubed

7 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, cubed

7 ounces Emmenthal cheese, cubed

Directions

1) Bring the wine to a boil in a small saucepan.

2) Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Whisk in the flour, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid sticking and burning.

3) Once the flour is cooked, stir the wine into the flour mixture slowly. Use a whisk to smooth the mixture.

4) Slowly add cubes of Gruyere, Cheddar, and Emmenthal cheese; stir until the cheese is melted. Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot. Keep warm over low flame.

Featuring Grandpa Hicks’ own Imported Cheddar, Gruyere & Emmenthal:

Quebec Vintage Cheddar is an extra-sharp Cheddar with a smooth texture, full-bodied flavor and tangy finish. Not as crumbly as some cheddars, making it easier to work with.

Swiss Gruyere has a nutty spicy flavor, making it the traditional hub of any fondue recipe.

Swiss Emmenthal adds a mild, creamy base to any fondue.

Leave it to the gastronomically gifted French to create this gourmet version of a hot ham and cheese sandwich!

The Croque Monsieur, or “Crispy Mister,” which appeared on Parisian cafe menus in 1910, was simply a hot ham and Gruyere Cheese sandwich, fried in butter. Some believe it was accidentally created when French workers left their lunch pails by a hot radiator and came back later to discover the cheese in their sandwiches had melted and the bread had crisped.

This classic recipe features Grandpa Hicks own imported Swiss Gruyere. Gruyere is a creamy, pale cheese with small holes and a slightly granular texture. The flavor is rich, somewhat nutty and slightly salty, because it is a brined cheese. Because gruyere has a distinctive but not overpowering flavor, it is an excellent addition to quiches, soups, salads, and pastas…and the perfect cheese to use for a Croque Monsieur. Bon apetit!

Croque Monsieur

Ingredients

2 tbsp unsalted butter               6 slices firm white, whole wheat or sourdough bread

2 1/2 tbsp. all purpose flour      6 (or more) slices Black Forest Ham

1 cup whole milk                      1/2 lb. grated gruyere

pinch of ground nutmeg            salt & pepper to taste

1/2 bay leaf                               Mustard (Dijon but hot, sweet mustards work well, too)

Directions

Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once. Stir with a whisk for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, then add nutmeg and bay leaf. Increase heat to medium-high and boil, whisking constantly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper, and whisk in 1/2 cup gruyere. Remove bay leaf and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter bread slices and lay on baking sheet. Toast for 2 minutes. Turn bread over and toast for an additional 2 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven and preheat broiler on high.

On baking sheet, lightly brush all bread slices with mustard. Top 3 slices of bread with ham slices and top with about 1/8 cup gruyere. Place other bread on top to make sandwich. Spoon cheese sauce on top of the sandwiches (don’t be shy.) Sprinkle remaining grated gruyere on top of sauce. Place baking sheet in oven and broil until cheese on top bubbles and begins to brown slightly, about 2-4 minutes.

For more information, click here to visit the Grandpa Hicks website or call 215-794-7733.

This Loaded Baked Potato soup is going to warm you from your inside out!

Baked potatoes have an intense and earthy potato flavor that boiled potatoes just cannot contribute.  That intense potato flavor is perfectly complemented by the bacon bits, sliced green onions and the “must have” ingredient that really makes this soup–Grandpa Hicks’ own imported Cotswold Cheese.

Cotswold, also known as “Pub Cheese” combines Double Gloucester with flavorful bits of chive and onion. A harmonious blend of mellow, crumbly cheese and savory vegetables, Cotswold is a terrific complement to the softer, milder flavors on your cheese board. In England, it is a popular pub cheese that is commonly served with hard-crusted bread and a strong, dark ale. Wonderful melted on grilled chicken or atop burgers and makes a memorable grilled cheese sandwich.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

6 baking potatoes

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

6 cups whole milk

1/2 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup bacon bits, divided

4 green onions, chopped

10 ounces shredded Cotswold Cheese

1- 8 ounce container sour cream

Directions

Prick potatoes with a fork and cook in the microwave, 3 or 4 at a time, and scoop out the flesh (while the others are cooking.) In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook about a minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup bacon bits, 2 tablespoons green onions and most of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in sour cream and heat through. Serve topped with remaining bacon, onions and cheese. Enjoy!

For more information, click here to visit the Grandpa Hicks website or call 215-794-7733.

Is there anything more satisfying on a dreary winter’s day than the aroma of bread baking in your oven?

Town Crier Bakery is now offering Artisanal Bread Baking classes, where you can learn to bake beautiful baguettes, braided yellow challah, and healthy grain breads.

Baking Artisan bread is one of the oldest forms of bread making around. For over 5,000 years, from man’s first bread in Egypt to the 19th century when commercial baking powders and yeasts were available, all bread was leavened with starters. Under the close supervision of Town Crier Bakery’s experienced baker, you’ll learn techniques to create outstanding tastes and textures and become inspired to create your own fresh baked loaves.

The next class is Monday, February 28 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.  The cost is $45.00 per person which includes all supplies and your masterpiece to take home. Town Crier Bakery is offering $5 off for the first 10 people to sign up. You can click here to sign up on Facebook or call the shop at 215-794-9910.

And, if you haven’t visited lately, stop by and check out the bakery’s new refreshed look and enjoy a break with some delicious coffee and baked treats in this cozy nook!

Spice up your winter wardrobe with this beautiful assortment of fall and winter sweaters from Gail West, now 50 percent off! Choose from a variety of styles, textures, and colors sure to give your outfit that extra flair.

For more information, please call Gail West Leather Goods at 215-794-8880.

Looking to update your winter look? Get winter chic looks for less at Velvet Chic! Take 30% off all Fall/Winter designer clothing now during their Annual Winter Sale.

For more information, please call Velvet Chic at 215-794-8531 or visit the website at http://www.velvetslipper.com/

Snuggle up in this super soft and luxurious wrap robe from Lace Silhouettes Lingerie. Choose turquoise (shown at right) or pastel pink. These easy care fleece robes are sized S-XL and are offered now at the very cozy price of $25 (regularly $49.)

Lace Silhouettes Lingerie  is a great resource for affordable “Everyday Luxury” in designer brand sleepwear and lingerie.

For more information, call Lace Silhouettes Lingerie at 215-794-3545, visit the website at  http://www.lacesilhouetteslingerie.com/home.html and follow on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lace-Silhouettes-Lingerie/136361046828#!/pages/Lace-Silhouettes-Lingerie/136361046828?v=info

You’ll always find the hottest trends in fashion forward footware at The Velvet Slipper, which is why this featured item is my favorite  find of the season!

The Velvet Slipper is offering a Buy One, Get One Free sale on fall & winter shoes and boots through January. And, if you can’t find two to satisfy your inner fashionista, then you can get 40% off one fabulous pair.

For more information, please call The Velvet Slipper at 215-794-9394 or visit the website at http://www.velvetslipper.com/

Soft and luxurious, these versatile cashmere and silk wraps from Signatures by Karen Thompson will take you from day to evening in style. Now only $20 each (regularly priced at $49), find a wide variety of colors and patterns to match your winter wardrobe.

Signatures by Karen Thompson features updated tops, sportswear, outerwear, scarves, footwear & handbags by affordable brands inspired by the runways of New York.

For more information, call Signatures at 215-794-9310 and follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Signatures-by-Karen-Thompson/248604655315