Thursday, May 19, 2011

Jump-Start Memorial Day Menus with Karoun Dairies Handmade Cheeses and All Natural Yogurts

Memorial Day is a commemorative holiday celebrated this year on May 30th, as always, the last Monday in May. Memorial Day often marks the beginning of the summer vacation season with a three day weekend largely dedicated to beach outings, family gatherings and, of course, eating. This year Karoun Dairies line of delectable, handmade cheeses and all natural yogurts help to jump-start Memorial Day menus with flavorful recipes that make for easy and healthy summer eating.

Summertime and family gatherings are better with fresh and delicious food. Karoun Dairies’ adheres to the highest standards using only milk from cows that are free from growth hormones, BGH/rBST, and are Real California Milk® certified. Karoun Dairies uses time-honored recipes making authentic all natural cheeses that bring fresh and delicious flavors to al fresco dishes.

Karoun Dairies Cheeses make Memorial Day menus mouth-watering with these simple and delicious recipes.


Watermelon and Feta Salad

¼ cup olive oil

2 Tbsp. Fresh Mint Leaves Finely Sliced

4 tsp. Champagne vinegar

½ small chilled watermelon, preferably seedless (about 6 pounds)

¾ cup each red and green seedless grapes, halved

1 cup crumbled Karoun Dairies Basket Feta Cheese (about 5 oz.)

¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

Mint Sprig, for garnish

In a large bowl whisk together oil, mint leaves and vinegar; set aside.

With a sharp knife cut around edge of watermelon to within ½ inch of rind. Then cut a deep cross through the flesh, leaving rind intact and reserving for later use. Scoop out each quadrant of watermelon and cut flesh into ¾” cubes. Toss gently vinaigrette, watermelon flesh, grapes and Karoun Dairies Basket Feta Cheese. Use watermelon shell for serving and if necessary, slice off a sliver of its bottom so it sits level. Spoon watermelon mixture into shell and sprinkle with nuts. Garnish with mint sprig. Serve immediately.


Double Potato and Yanni Grilling Cheese Bake

1 large sweet potato

1 large red firm potato

1 red onion

1 yellow pepper

1 red pepper

½ head garlic, cloves peeled

4 Tbsp. olive oils

Freshly ground black pepper

4 ½ oz. Karoun Dairies Yanni Grilling Cheese, sliced as thinly as you can

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut the sweet potato into rough 1 ½ inch cubes and the red potato slightly smaller (1 inch cubes) as the sweet potato will cook more quickly. Halve the red onion, and then cut each half into 4-6 segments, discarding any tough outer skin. Seed the peppers and cut into 1 inch squares, and separate the cloves of garlic. Put everything into a 2-quart casserole dish and coat vegetables with olive oil. Season with black pepper, but no salt.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked through and golden. You’ll need to turn the oven up to maximum heat or switch on the broiler and place the thinly sliced Karoun Dairies Yanni Grilling Cheese, on top of the bake. Put it back in the very hot over or under the broiler until the cheese has melted and turned slightly brown on top, about 5 to 10 minutes. Serve straight out of the casserole dish.

About Karoun Dairies, Inc.: Founded in 1992, Karoun is a family-run business reflecting fulfillment of the American dream. The company has continued to grow from creating hand braided String Cheese for local ethnic and specialty grocery stores, to producing a wide variety of Mediterranean specialty cheeses and yogurt products with nationwide mainstream distribution. All Karoun cheeses are natural and handmade using only milk from cows that are free from growth hormones, BGH/rBST, and are Real California Milk certified. All Karoun’s yogurt products (yogurt, kefir cheese (labne) and sour cream) are all natural and OU Kosher certified. Please visit www.karouncheese.com.

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