11 N School St
Lodi, CA 95240

209.368.3033
www.CheeseCentralLodi.com
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WELCOME!


...and what a crazy time we are having now, right?

CHEESE CENTRAL's 9th Anniversary, on March 21, came and went with no fanfare. Instead, we will celebrate an unusual "9 & 1/3 Anniversary" with you! Cake, cheese... maybe cheesecake! Bubbles and Balloons! We'll keep you informed, I promise, so you don't miss the party! Otherwise, the shop's short update is that all of our events and tastings have been postponed, rescheduling to be announced at a later date. So, FYI, the following news:

---Until further notice, the shop hours will be Mon-Fri 10a-2p, closed weekends. As we are a specialty grocery, we are continuing to operate as such. Walk-ins are welcome, and you may help yourself to any of the wonderful cheeses and Delectable Pantry items that are waiting for you. If you prefer, phone in your order with VISA or MC, and we will deliver to your car at curbside.

Special Note: Every sale gets an Opportunity Ticket to win a 2-person Raclette Grill, drawing to be held when the emergency is over (May? June?) Why wait for our anniversary for presents to be given!

---DoorDash will be available as soon as Monday, March 30. Please see the menu of cheeses, and many Delectable Pantry items such as crackers, charcuterie, jams and nuts that will be ready to "dash" as well. If you have never utilized this service, download the app to your phone, and let's get started!

---Please see the offer from Culture magazine, below....so far this week, I have had two guests who have qualified and plan on getting this wonderful publication in their mailbox! 6 issues a year of cheesey gorgeousness, reading material while sipping your "Quarantini" -- for free!


What better time than quarantine for your customers to stock up on cheesy snacks?

Culture is offering free one-year subscriptions to anyone who buys $100 worth of product from your cheese shops (gift cards and online orders count!). To enter, tell your customers to post their haul on Instagram, tag us in their post, and send us a direct message with a photo of their receipt and their mailing address (US residents only).
 
Be well, and safely poke your nose out for essential groceries!
With appreciation,

Cindy and Staff
Gina, Karen, Julie, Christine and Angelo
How delicious is a cheese and charcuterie board? So delicious, so beautiful, and sooooo good for a no-cook dinner. A smaller version is perfect next to a pot of homemade soup, and homemade bread or biscuits.

How DO they look so good?
Don't let those Pinterest photos intimidate you, and stop you from building beautiful displays of your own!
Use them as a visual guide to create your gorgeous display.
You have the time now, so practice a bit!

We have all the supplies--cheeses galore, meats, olives, nuts, pickles and peppers, jams and jellies and fig and apricot and honey...

Your family will LOVE you for it!

Bon Appetit!

A LUNCH DATE WITH NETFLIX

i think a good ole "spaghetti western" with a side of Chili Mac will keep all the "Indians" quiet for a couple of hours. Though we could have gone back into the archives for a bit more "spaghetti," we revisited Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid just last weekend! Haven't seen that in years--those boys are still pretty easy to look at....

This recipe is an easy one for kids of all ages to make, and easier still if you have homemade chili in the freezer.


QUICK CHILI MAC

1 1/2 C uncooked elbow macaroni
6 C prepared chili with beans
or Chili, recipe below
15 oz can corn
2 C shredded sharp cheddar

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, heat chili in large saucepan until bubbling. Add corn and drained macaroni. Heat through. Serve, sprinkled with cheese.



Chili:
1 lb ground beef or turkey
2 T vegetable oil
1/3-1/2 C chili powder
1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes,
if desired
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 t ground cumin
1 t dried oregano, crushed
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
28 oz can pinto beans, drained
and rinsed
15 oz. can black beans, drained
and rinsed

In large saucepan, heat oil until shimmering. Add ground meat, and cook until crumbled and no longer pink. Add chili powder, crushed pepper flakes if using, green pepper, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and cook until fragrant and the onion is softened. Add crushed tomatoes, beans, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Taste for seasoning, adding more chili powder if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Continue with recipe above, adding corn and cooked macaroni, heating until ready to serve. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar and enjoy.


CERTIFIED CHEESE PROFESSIONAL TEST

As you know, I participated in the American Cheese Society's Certified Cheese Professional testing last summer, and did not pass it the first time. I registered to take this test again in July, held in Portland, Oregon.

Cross your fingers that the conference will be held, and the testing continues. I am looking forward to the challenge!



THOUGHTS ON COOKING

I love to cook.

I am not having a problem with shortages of goods on grocery shelves.

Processed goods are MIA, for the most part. I don't usually eat any of those things anyway. Some of the dry staples are gone, too. However, I am enjoying the challenge of fitting available ingredients into my menu, getting a chance to think outside of my family's usual dining "rut." Test my culinary skills on new and exciting dishes!

This reminds me of a game John and I used to play when just newlyweds, living in Seattle. As "starving students" from 1977-81, we would each have a $5 bill in hand. We would find free parking near Pike's Place Market. A leisurely walk down the length of the Market, hand-in-hand, perusing every vendor and shop, made for a really nice "date." And making mental note of the cost of any item that might make MY dinner special was the strategy for winning the "game.". Because, mind you, MY $5 bill became MY dinner, and HIS $5 purchased the ingredients HE desired! Five bucks--that was it--and whoever came the closest to using all of that money won the game, and hopefully a full dinner plate to go with it!

Our current situation has a silver lining, you know. This is a good time to teach kids of all ages how to cook some family favorite meals, learn how to safely use the knives and tools of the kitchen, "play" with your food! The whole family will get the giggles when served meatloaf "cupcakes" iced with decorative mashed potato "frosting" from a piping bag and garnished with a "cherry" tomato! How about "dessert for dinner?" Get out the fancy sundae boats and make mashed potato "sundae" scoops with "toppings" of finely chopped bacon "nuts," several simple sauces or gravy for sundae syrups, and long sauteed yellow squash "bananas" for a split. Let your imagination roam!

Google funny dinner recipes like that, or go for full on research of a cuisine you want to know more about. Ever made egg rolls or samosas? Pierogis or pasties? Souffles or crepes?

We can help you in this endeavor, too! If you need any advise or explanation for many of the foods of the world, please feel free to call the shop during our open hours. As a free extension of our culinary classes, I will be happy to help you have a successful food adventure with tips and tricks to ensure everyone ends up with a smile and a full belly at the end of the day! Cooking should be fun, and I can help you achieve that end.

209-368-3033
during open hours












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ALL EVENTS ARE TEMPORARILY POSTPONED




UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS
Do you "plan for future happiness?" A quick phone call will help you do this!    Cheese 101A and Bread Baking Basics are offered every month from January through October. Popular classes such as Sushi, Filled Pasta and Bistro in Paris repeat throughout the year. 

PARKING FOR CLASS PARTICIPANTS: Street parking is limited, though available. Feel free to park in the F&M Bank parking lot (after banking hours) and walk through the alley to School Street. The parking lot on Church St. across from F&M Bank is public parking after 5 pm daily and on weekends. The entrance to the public parking garage is on Pine Street at the Lodi Arch. Free and accessible to all three levels.  







PRIVATE PARTY CLASSES ARE GREAT
Call to Book A Party For Your Group





CALL 209 368-3033 Phone registration with VISA or MC
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