Last week I asked our viewers on Got Books? to post their favorite foods and I would try to weave them into a short story. We had 22 entries and for the story I've brought back two of my favorite characters from Food to Die Smiling For--Sammi and Carrie. I hope you enjoy.
Momma’s Coming to Dinner
Flipping on the TV, I sorted my way through Netflix to find Lord of the Rings, grabbed my bowl of banana pudding and sank into the couch for a nice quiet evening of gluttony and pure entertainment. I should have known it was too good to last. The key in the lock was my first indication my quiet evening was over. Sammi breezed in, humming “Ain’t Love Grand” and carrying two bags of groceries.
“I thought you were going out with Mark?” I looked for a place to hide the banana pudding. Too late.
Sammi’s face screwed up and her mouth poked out in her little “shame on you” pout. “Carrie Thompson, tell me that is not all you’re having for dinner?”
“Of course not.” I couldn’t help the guilty grin. “I was gonna order a pizza, some three cheese enchilidas, and then have a piece of Chocolate Cheesecake and maybe some Apple and Blueberry crumble for dessert.”
Uh-oh. I’ve seen that look on Sammi’s face before.
“You will definitely not be eating any of that garbage.” She shifted the bags, gave me a gorgeous smile and continued. “Mark’s coming for dinner, and you can join us.”
Oh, goody, goody, goody. Instead of a nice peaceful night of good food and entertainment, I’d be stuffing my face with some healthy garbage like grilled salmon and couscous, with a side order of mashed potatoes and cauliflower. Or God forbid—Talapia with rice and beef or even worse Spaghetti Bolognese. And all the while sitting through The Big Bang Theory while Mark whispers sweet nothings. God hates me. He really does.
With one last wistful look at Viggo Mortensen, I paused my movie, stood up and took one of the bags of groceries and headed to the kitchen. “So what wonderful culinary dishes are you planning for the evening?”
“You’re going to love it. We’ve having Sushi with green beans in a dry coconut curry, and for dessert we’ll have blueberries and cream.”
Bleeyuk! Okay, I know that’s probably not a word, but it was the first thing that came to mind. Dropping the groceries on the counter I turned to give Sammi my best “you’ve got to be kidding me” look. Hands on hips I stared her down. “Sammi, how long have we been living together?”
Giving me a flash of those pearly whites she dropped her purse on the floor and put her bag on the counter. “Like forever.”
“Well, then you should know I’m not really a Sushi, green been curry kind of girl. I’m a chili, mac and cheese kind of girl.”
“Oh, poo,” Sammi pouted. “You serve the most delicious cuisine in the world every day, and yet you eat garbage.” She turned to give me a look I’ve never seen before. A cross between scared and elated. “Besides you need to lose some weight before the wedding.”
I could feel my mouth flop open, and did my best to wrap my tongue around something intelligent and spiffy to come back with. Instead I wound up stammering. “Wed…wed…wedding?”
Sammi bit her bottom lip and nodded. A single tear rolled down her face.
Okay, Carrie, this is where you do that high pitched girlie squeal, grab her hands and dance her around the room giggling and bouncing like an idiot. Problem was I just wasn’t the “squealing, giggling, bouncy” girlie type. I’ve never squealed in my life. But Sammi was my very best friend. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly and grinned. I crossed the room, grabbed her hands and hopped up and down. “Squee! Squee!”
Sammi giggled and pulled me into a bear hug. “That’s the most pathetic squeal I’ve ever heard.” Pushing me away she looked into my eyes. “But I do appreciate the effort. So you’re happy for me?”
“Estatic. So, how long do I have to lose this weight, and how much do I have to lose?”
Sammi started unloading the groceries. “I was only kidding about the weight. We haven’t even set the date yet.”
“But I still have to eat Sushi?”
“And green beans in a dry coconut curry. So go back to Viggio and let me cook.”
“It’s Viggo!” I yelled out, returning to the couch and picking up my bowl of pudding. Funny thing was, it didn’t taste as good as it had before. I’d always known this day would come, and I loved Mark. I really did. Sighing I hit the play button and homed in on Viggo. What a hunk. Now if he asked me to marry him I could probably squeal like a girl.
The phone rang, and I turned up the volume shutting out the giggling and love talk from the kitchen. Bleeyuk!
“Oh, my God! Oh, my God!”
Uh-oh. The sounds of pans clanging lifted the corners of my mouth in a pleasant smile. A new Sammi. I’d seen happy Sammi, sad Sammi, and even on one occasion angry Sammi—but this was new. Frantic Sammi. I knew what was coming, so I wasn’t surprised when I heard the wail.
“Carrie!”
Of course, if I’d known what was coming I would have quietly slipped on my shoes and run like hell. Instead I flipped off the TV and walked toward the kitchen, an unsuspecting fly heading for the spider’s web. The look on Sammi’s face stopped me in my tracks. Not frantic—panicked. “What’s wrong?”
“Mark’s bringing his mother to dinner.”
“Smorgasboard Mary?” I backed out of the kitchen slowly. All I had to do was make it to the door. Screw the shoes.
Sammi caught me, grabbing my arms. “Carrie, you’ve got to help me. The apartment’s a mess. I’ll clean, you cook. Please?”
“Oh, hell no! The last time she inhaled three pounds of barbeque ribs and accused me of trying to kill her because she swallowed a bone.”
Sammi squeezed my arms, her eyes huge. “Please, Carrie. Please, please, please.”
Okay, maybe I could turn this around to my benefit. Have a little fun. “All right. But I get to cook what I want.”
“Anything you want. Just make sure there’s plenty of it.” Sammi gave me a quick hug and headed for the living room.
Opening the freezer I pulled out a pack of pork chops and threw them in the microwave to defrost. That should be nice and greasy.
An image of Mary licking barbeque sauce flickered in front of my eyes. She did love her meat.
Going to the pantry I pulled out potatoes and started peeling. A nice baked potato soup and salad as an opening course. I could probably live with the green beans. Hawaiian rolls would do nicely, and we still had the apple and blackberry crumble as well as a couple of pieces of chocolate cheesecake.
Yet it was missing something. Something special. Going back to the freezer I pulled out the corn on the cob. Perfect. After all if Sammi was going to marry Mark, she needed to realize she was also marrying Mary. Humming softly and grinning from ear to ear I pulled out pots and started cooking, imagining those huge teeth traveling up and down those ears of corn like a manual typewriter. Chew, chew, chew—ka-ching. Chew, chew, chew—ka-ching.
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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author ~ ~ ~ writing and streams of consciousness
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Saturday, August 27, 2011
#samplesunday Food To Die Smiling For
America has a new reality show. Can unknown Chef Carrie Thompson prepare 'Food To Die Smiling Food'
Short Story, flash fiction and some great recipes.
DAY ONE - BREAKFAST
Ian McGregor had chosen me.
The letter shook within my tightly clutched fingers. It didn't make sense. I wasn't some great chef with a million followers. I couldn't even get on Hell's Kitchen. My small International Cuisine restaurant was so far off the map that Google didn't even recognize me. So why would the notorious serial killer pick me to prepare his last meals?
Rolling my eyes toward heaven I grimaced and muttered. "You hate me don't you? You really, really hate me."
"Who hates you?" Sammi asked, shoving a cinnamon roll into her mouth.
"God hates me. And Ian McGregor is going to destroy me."
Sammi swallowed the roll, eyes growing huge. "Ian McGregor chose you?"
I nodded, holding out the damning letter.
"Woot!" Sammi screamed, doing her little happy dance. "We're in the money. We're in the money."
"Only if he dies smiling." I scowled, taking back the letter. "And in the last five years no one has died smiling."
Sammi stopped in mid hip roll, the seriousness of the situation sinking into the brain beneath all that blonde hair. "Ooh, crap."
"Yeah, ooh crap is right. All our work, money, everything will be lost. All he has to do is frown, burp or God forbid fart, and we're destroyed. And he's made it plain his intention is to kill me."
Sammi took the letter frowning as she read it again. "I don't get it."
"He killed his first two women in Ireland, and he wants an Irish breakfast. The second two in Italy, and he wants an Italian lunch, and the last two in Louisiana, so he's chosen a Cajun dinner. What's that say to you?"
Sammi grinned, breaking into song. "Memories, like the corners of my mind. . . ."
Flopping down on the sofa, a remembrance of our first and only month's profit, I sighed. "Better enjoy them. In three days or less, memories are all we'll have left."
A lot of people believed that just because Sammi was your typical California blonde, gorgeous beyond what any woman had a right to be, and with those honey gold locks, that she would be your typical 'dumb blonde'. In truth, she was brilliant, and her next words reinforced that beyond my wildest dreams.
"You're looking at this all wrong. They called him the 'Killer Food Date' because he always chose a restaurant employee, preferably a chef, and he always took them out to eat before he killed them. He's a sadistic, mentally unstable connoisseur serial killer. And what does every serial killer want?"
I shrugged, sinking into my misery, reading the letter again. "Dessert and he doesn't even tell me what country he wants it from."
Sammi started her little happy dance, again. "Memories. They want to remember and enjoy their killings. That's his dessert."
"Sammi, that's sick."
Sammi laughed and punched me on arm. "Carrie, you're so you. Get with the program. Of course it's sick. But all we have to do is find out what he ate on the majority of his "killer dates" and I guarantee you he'll die with a smile on his face."
Taking the letter, she scanned it again. "Tomorrow is breakfast. Let's see what we can find."
Pulling out the laptop she clicked away. "Easy as pie."
"Pie for breakfast?"
Sammi rolled her eyes. "Of course not silly, although that's not a bad idea. The restaurant owner said he had bread with some kind of cream spread and tea."
"What kind of bread?"
Sammi shrugged. "Doesn't say, but it was Irish bread. Can't be that many Irish breads, can there?"
"Dozens. What kind of spread?"
Sammi glanced at the article. "Doesn't say."
Great. Just great. All I had to do was pick the right bread, the right spread and pray. Of course, God hated me so prayer wasn't going to do much good. I was dead. My career over before anyone besides Ian McGregor even knew I existed.
"Wasn't your grandfather Irish?" Sammi cooed excitedly, still counting that imaginary money she saw falling from heaven.
My grandfather was Irish and I had some of grandma's recipes. "This could work," I mumbled, Sammi's excitement becoming contagious. "I need to grab grandma's recipes and start cooking."
Sammi nodded still rolling her hips in a happy dance and singing under her breath, "We're in the money. We're in the money."
I didn't have a clue who made up this silly death watch game, but after a long, sleepless night I had a real good feel for being on death row and waiting for the clock to count down. Glancing at my watch I loaded up the breakfast basket. Where the heck was Sammi? Shouldn't your best friend and business partner be here when they led you to the gallows? Three days. I had three days of this nightmarish hell. If I made it through today.
"Look what I bought you!" Sammi flounced into the room, long hair swaying. "You're going to be lovely."
"I am not wearing that hat." I shivered, glancing at the chef's outfit from hell.
"Oh, yes, you are!" Sammi pulled at my arms, shoving them into the jacket before pushing the hat down on my head and turning me towards the mirror. "See, lovely."
"I look like a buffoon," I stated, trying to pull off the hat as Sammi pushed and pulled, arranging it over my strawberry curls.
"You have to dress the part," Sammi stated, pushing a few stray curls under the hat.
I glanced at her hot pink mini. "So what about you?"
Sammi grinned mischievously. "I'm eye-candy. If the food doesn't make him smile, maybe the thoughts of slitting my throat will."
"Jesus, Sammi." I buttoned the coat, taking one last glance in the mirror.
Grabbing the basket, she examined the contents pulling out the jar of ice cold water. "Where's the tea?"
"We'll have to make it at the prison. You can't reheat Irish tea. Makes it taste bitter."
"No problem." Sammi took me by the arm, pulling and pushing me toward the door. "We have to make our way through the media, so let me do the talking."
"Media?" I squirmed under her intense gaze. "No one said anything about media."
Sammi didn't bother answering. Instead she pasted a radiant smile on her face and led me out into the glare of camera flashes and microphones shoved my way.
"Ms. Thompson, were you surprised when Mr. McGregor chose you?"
"Carrie, is it true you had an affair with Ian McGregor before he started killing women?"
"Is it true that Hell's Kitchen turned down your restaurant because it was beyond repair?"
The questions were fired at me from left and right. Sammi never lost her smile as she opened the limo door and pushed me inside, and with a swivel of her hips and show of long luscious legs climbed in beside me. "Ms. Thompson has no comments."
Pulling off the hat I tossed it on the seat beside me as the driver weaved his way through the media. "You should have let me answer them. Where do they get that stuff?"
Sammi shook her head. "They'll change their tune when this is all over. And they don't get it anywhere. They make it up."
The limo pulled through the prison gates and Sammi rearranged the hat on my head. "Now, show those pearly whites, and let's go make a killer smile."
"What you got for me for, sweetie?" McGregor posed the question to me, but his eyes were traveling up and down Sammi's body, a slow smile spreading across his handsome features.
I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "We have a delicious Soda Bread with cream spread and tea." I placed the plate in front of him and poured the cup of tea. "I hope you enjoy it."
He raised an eyebrow, finally allowing his gaze to drift to my face. "Take off the hat."
Pulling the hat off, I pushed the curls back from my face.
"Aye. That's what I wanted to see. Those strawberry curls. My first date had strawberry curls, you know." He picked up a slice of bread covered in cream spread, bit off a huge chunk and washed it down with tea. "I like women with strawberry curls."
"Thank you," I whispered, glancing at Sammi who simply smiled and shrugged. What difference did it make what he liked as long as he smiled. The single film crew Warden Temperman had allowed inside the cafeteria was hanging on to every word, cameras honed in on McGregor's face.
"I'd like to see you in strawberry curls." McGregor turned his attention back to Sammi. "Think you could do that for me? We could do lunch tomorrow."
I felt Sammi stiffen by my side. This wasn't what we had expected. McGregor was up to something. The implication was clear. Sammi wore strawberry curls and he'd smile. If she didn't. . .
Sammi started to speak, but I cut her off. "I'm sorry, Mr. McGregor. Strawberry's not a good color on Sammi. I guess you'll be eating alone tomorrow."
Taking Sammi's arm I pulled her back toward the entrance. My career might be over, but I wasn't playing this lunatic's game.
We'd taken only a few steps when the camera crew went wild. "There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, Chef Carrie Thompson has pulled off day one of our death watch contest by preparing Food to Die Smiling For."
I glanced back to find McGregor smiling from ear to ear holding a second piece of bread. Sammi was humming "we're in the money," and I could hear the prisoners in the background screaming and clapping. I met McGregor's gaze, noting the gleam in his eyes, slight nod of the head as he took a bite. He'd let me win day one, but tomorrow was a new challenge. He didn't think I was up to it. I smiled back, nodding just slightly. "I'll see you tomorrow."
McGregor laughed, shaking the chains that held him to the table. "I'll look forward to it."
Short Story, flash fiction and some great recipes.
DAY ONE - BREAKFAST
Ian McGregor had chosen me.
The letter shook within my tightly clutched fingers. It didn't make sense. I wasn't some great chef with a million followers. I couldn't even get on Hell's Kitchen. My small International Cuisine restaurant was so far off the map that Google didn't even recognize me. So why would the notorious serial killer pick me to prepare his last meals?
Rolling my eyes toward heaven I grimaced and muttered. "You hate me don't you? You really, really hate me."
"Who hates you?" Sammi asked, shoving a cinnamon roll into her mouth.
"God hates me. And Ian McGregor is going to destroy me."
Sammi swallowed the roll, eyes growing huge. "Ian McGregor chose you?"
I nodded, holding out the damning letter.
"Woot!" Sammi screamed, doing her little happy dance. "We're in the money. We're in the money."
"Only if he dies smiling." I scowled, taking back the letter. "And in the last five years no one has died smiling."
Sammi stopped in mid hip roll, the seriousness of the situation sinking into the brain beneath all that blonde hair. "Ooh, crap."
"Yeah, ooh crap is right. All our work, money, everything will be lost. All he has to do is frown, burp or God forbid fart, and we're destroyed. And he's made it plain his intention is to kill me."
Sammi took the letter frowning as she read it again. "I don't get it."
"He killed his first two women in Ireland, and he wants an Irish breakfast. The second two in Italy, and he wants an Italian lunch, and the last two in Louisiana, so he's chosen a Cajun dinner. What's that say to you?"
Sammi grinned, breaking into song. "Memories, like the corners of my mind. . . ."
Flopping down on the sofa, a remembrance of our first and only month's profit, I sighed. "Better enjoy them. In three days or less, memories are all we'll have left."
A lot of people believed that just because Sammi was your typical California blonde, gorgeous beyond what any woman had a right to be, and with those honey gold locks, that she would be your typical 'dumb blonde'. In truth, she was brilliant, and her next words reinforced that beyond my wildest dreams.
"You're looking at this all wrong. They called him the 'Killer Food Date' because he always chose a restaurant employee, preferably a chef, and he always took them out to eat before he killed them. He's a sadistic, mentally unstable connoisseur serial killer. And what does every serial killer want?"
I shrugged, sinking into my misery, reading the letter again. "Dessert and he doesn't even tell me what country he wants it from."
Sammi started her little happy dance, again. "Memories. They want to remember and enjoy their killings. That's his dessert."
"Sammi, that's sick."
Sammi laughed and punched me on arm. "Carrie, you're so you. Get with the program. Of course it's sick. But all we have to do is find out what he ate on the majority of his "killer dates" and I guarantee you he'll die with a smile on his face."
Taking the letter, she scanned it again. "Tomorrow is breakfast. Let's see what we can find."
Pulling out the laptop she clicked away. "Easy as pie."
"Pie for breakfast?"
Sammi rolled her eyes. "Of course not silly, although that's not a bad idea. The restaurant owner said he had bread with some kind of cream spread and tea."
"What kind of bread?"
Sammi shrugged. "Doesn't say, but it was Irish bread. Can't be that many Irish breads, can there?"
"Dozens. What kind of spread?"
Sammi glanced at the article. "Doesn't say."
Great. Just great. All I had to do was pick the right bread, the right spread and pray. Of course, God hated me so prayer wasn't going to do much good. I was dead. My career over before anyone besides Ian McGregor even knew I existed.
"Wasn't your grandfather Irish?" Sammi cooed excitedly, still counting that imaginary money she saw falling from heaven.
My grandfather was Irish and I had some of grandma's recipes. "This could work," I mumbled, Sammi's excitement becoming contagious. "I need to grab grandma's recipes and start cooking."
Sammi nodded still rolling her hips in a happy dance and singing under her breath, "We're in the money. We're in the money."
I didn't have a clue who made up this silly death watch game, but after a long, sleepless night I had a real good feel for being on death row and waiting for the clock to count down. Glancing at my watch I loaded up the breakfast basket. Where the heck was Sammi? Shouldn't your best friend and business partner be here when they led you to the gallows? Three days. I had three days of this nightmarish hell. If I made it through today.
"Look what I bought you!" Sammi flounced into the room, long hair swaying. "You're going to be lovely."
"I am not wearing that hat." I shivered, glancing at the chef's outfit from hell.
"Oh, yes, you are!" Sammi pulled at my arms, shoving them into the jacket before pushing the hat down on my head and turning me towards the mirror. "See, lovely."
"I look like a buffoon," I stated, trying to pull off the hat as Sammi pushed and pulled, arranging it over my strawberry curls.
"You have to dress the part," Sammi stated, pushing a few stray curls under the hat.
I glanced at her hot pink mini. "So what about you?"
Sammi grinned mischievously. "I'm eye-candy. If the food doesn't make him smile, maybe the thoughts of slitting my throat will."
"Jesus, Sammi." I buttoned the coat, taking one last glance in the mirror.
Grabbing the basket, she examined the contents pulling out the jar of ice cold water. "Where's the tea?"
"We'll have to make it at the prison. You can't reheat Irish tea. Makes it taste bitter."
"No problem." Sammi took me by the arm, pulling and pushing me toward the door. "We have to make our way through the media, so let me do the talking."
"Media?" I squirmed under her intense gaze. "No one said anything about media."
Sammi didn't bother answering. Instead she pasted a radiant smile on her face and led me out into the glare of camera flashes and microphones shoved my way.
"Ms. Thompson, were you surprised when Mr. McGregor chose you?"
"Carrie, is it true you had an affair with Ian McGregor before he started killing women?"
"Is it true that Hell's Kitchen turned down your restaurant because it was beyond repair?"
The questions were fired at me from left and right. Sammi never lost her smile as she opened the limo door and pushed me inside, and with a swivel of her hips and show of long luscious legs climbed in beside me. "Ms. Thompson has no comments."
Pulling off the hat I tossed it on the seat beside me as the driver weaved his way through the media. "You should have let me answer them. Where do they get that stuff?"
Sammi shook her head. "They'll change their tune when this is all over. And they don't get it anywhere. They make it up."
The limo pulled through the prison gates and Sammi rearranged the hat on my head. "Now, show those pearly whites, and let's go make a killer smile."
"What you got for me for, sweetie?" McGregor posed the question to me, but his eyes were traveling up and down Sammi's body, a slow smile spreading across his handsome features.
I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "We have a delicious Soda Bread with cream spread and tea." I placed the plate in front of him and poured the cup of tea. "I hope you enjoy it."
He raised an eyebrow, finally allowing his gaze to drift to my face. "Take off the hat."
Pulling the hat off, I pushed the curls back from my face.
"Aye. That's what I wanted to see. Those strawberry curls. My first date had strawberry curls, you know." He picked up a slice of bread covered in cream spread, bit off a huge chunk and washed it down with tea. "I like women with strawberry curls."
"Thank you," I whispered, glancing at Sammi who simply smiled and shrugged. What difference did it make what he liked as long as he smiled. The single film crew Warden Temperman had allowed inside the cafeteria was hanging on to every word, cameras honed in on McGregor's face.
"I'd like to see you in strawberry curls." McGregor turned his attention back to Sammi. "Think you could do that for me? We could do lunch tomorrow."
I felt Sammi stiffen by my side. This wasn't what we had expected. McGregor was up to something. The implication was clear. Sammi wore strawberry curls and he'd smile. If she didn't. . .
Sammi started to speak, but I cut her off. "I'm sorry, Mr. McGregor. Strawberry's not a good color on Sammi. I guess you'll be eating alone tomorrow."
Taking Sammi's arm I pulled her back toward the entrance. My career might be over, but I wasn't playing this lunatic's game.
We'd taken only a few steps when the camera crew went wild. "There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, Chef Carrie Thompson has pulled off day one of our death watch contest by preparing Food to Die Smiling For."
I glanced back to find McGregor smiling from ear to ear holding a second piece of bread. Sammi was humming "we're in the money," and I could hear the prisoners in the background screaming and clapping. I met McGregor's gaze, noting the gleam in his eyes, slight nod of the head as he took a bite. He'd let me win day one, but tomorrow was a new challenge. He didn't think I was up to it. I smiled back, nodding just slightly. "I'll see you tomorrow."
McGregor laughed, shaking the chains that held him to the table. "I'll look forward to it."
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Whet your appetite! Great Mysteries--Great Appetizers
Cookouts just around the corner, how about some great appetizers to whet your appetite. And pick up a great mystery to read while the lights are flashing the rockets are exploding. Adds a little excitement to that edge of the seat page.
The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery
The sound of the door closing downstairs cleared her mind and spurred her on as she threw off the covers and stood on shaky legs. Fear was a great motivator. Nikki. She had to get to her. She stumbled, her legs still not obeying the commands her brain issued. The hallway stretched out before her. Tears filled her eyes. She felt weak, helpless. She hadn’t felt this way since—no, she wouldn’t think about that. That was another life, another lifetime. She was almost there. The same fear that had given her strength, now seemed to paralyze her. She forced her trembling fingers to open the door and flip on the light. Relief robbed her legs of the last vestige of strength. Sinking to the floor, she rested her head against the door jam, tears flowing down her face. Nikki lay, one hand tucked under her angelic face, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the darkness that surrounded them. Safe. It was just a dream.
Sarah pulled herself up and reached for the light just as her gaze fell on the stars floating above the bed. It hadn’t been a dream. Reaching out she touched a star, recoiling from the evil she felt there. He’d been here. In her house. In her daughter’s room.
Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery
Standing up Bud walked back to the window. “She’d a stayed if I’d a asked her to. But I had my pride.” His shoulders slumped. “You get old you realize pride ain’t so important. Family’s important. Somebody to love. Somebody to love you.”
Turning he faced Jacody, eyes pleading. “Seems like you’re pretty good at finding people, Mr. Ives. You can see I ain’t got much, but if you could find my little girl and bring her home I’d give you everything I got.”
Jacody felt the rage building as Bud’s pain penetrated the shell around him. Bud Lynton had grown up in a time where a man’s word and his handshake were all that were needed to seal a deal. Jacody extended his hand. “I’ll find her, Mr. Lynton. And I’ll bring her home.”
APPETIZERS
Chipped Beef
Combine
1 tsp. horseradish
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 (8-oz) carton sour cream
2 (8-oz) pkgs. cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. minced onion
Then add:
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper (I like red and yellow too)
1 (6-oz) jar chipped beef, chopped
Mix well in 1 quart casserole dish
Bake 20 minutes in 350 degree over
Cover with chopped pecans. Serve hot with shredded wheat crackers
Serves 8 to 10 people
One of my favorites
1 (12-oz) roll of braunschweiger
1 (8-oz) pkg. cream cheese
Cream together until smooth (I do this in the blender although it's hard to clean afterwards)
Add
1 envelop dry onion soup mix
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
Blend well. Serve as a mound on tray with crackers
Cheese Log
1 oz. Roquefort cheese
1 cup finely-grated pecans
1 (8-oz) box soft American Cheese
1/8 tsp. garlic power (or more or less to taste)
6 hard shakes of bottled hot sauce (or more or less to taste--I like it hot)
1 wedge (or 6 to 8 ozs.) extra-share grated cheddar cheese
Shape into two logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
Roll logs in chili power (about 1/2 of medium can) until heavily coated
Wrap logs in plastic wrap. Chill until firm. Cut into slices before serving. Serve with crackers.
Crab Meat Spread
Melt in top of double boiler: 1 lb butter
Add: 1 lb. soft, boxed American cheese cubed
Stir constantly with whisk or spoon until completely blended together.
Add 1 (6-oz.) can crab meat
Keep hot in chafing dish
Serve with sesame crackers
Sausage Balls
Combine
1 lb. sausage (I like it hot, but mild is fine)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups prepared biscuit mix
Blend well
Shape into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven.
You can freeze these for breakfast or snacks. If fozen, bake for 20 minutes in 400 degree oven.
Scalloped Mushrooms
Saute 1 lb. fresh mushrooms in 1/4 cup of butter for 5 to 10 minutes (you can substitute margarine for the butter if you like)
Season with salt and pepper. Spread in shallow baking dish, rouded side up.
Combine:
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 tbsps. very dry sherry
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. instant onion
Add a dash of hot sauce if you like things hot. Pour over mushrooms. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees until cream has been reduced to half and mushrooms are golden.
You can use this for a meat sauce also. If you're making it as an appetizer bake until almost dry and serve with toothpicks.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Brown 2 grated medium-sized onions in butter
Add:
1 1/2 lbs. ground veal
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
3 cups soft bread crumbs
3 tsps. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
3 beaten eggs
Form into bite-sized balls. Brown in butter in heavy skillet
Combine
1 (15-oz) can tomato puree
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
Pour over meatballs. Simmer 1 hour
Add
Juice of 2 lemons
1 cup brown sugar
Simmer another hour
Have a great holiday!
The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery
The sound of the door closing downstairs cleared her mind and spurred her on as she threw off the covers and stood on shaky legs. Fear was a great motivator. Nikki. She had to get to her. She stumbled, her legs still not obeying the commands her brain issued. The hallway stretched out before her. Tears filled her eyes. She felt weak, helpless. She hadn’t felt this way since—no, she wouldn’t think about that. That was another life, another lifetime. She was almost there. The same fear that had given her strength, now seemed to paralyze her. She forced her trembling fingers to open the door and flip on the light. Relief robbed her legs of the last vestige of strength. Sinking to the floor, she rested her head against the door jam, tears flowing down her face. Nikki lay, one hand tucked under her angelic face, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the darkness that surrounded them. Safe. It was just a dream.
Sarah pulled herself up and reached for the light just as her gaze fell on the stars floating above the bed. It hadn’t been a dream. Reaching out she touched a star, recoiling from the evil she felt there. He’d been here. In her house. In her daughter’s room.
Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery
Standing up Bud walked back to the window. “She’d a stayed if I’d a asked her to. But I had my pride.” His shoulders slumped. “You get old you realize pride ain’t so important. Family’s important. Somebody to love. Somebody to love you.”
Turning he faced Jacody, eyes pleading. “Seems like you’re pretty good at finding people, Mr. Ives. You can see I ain’t got much, but if you could find my little girl and bring her home I’d give you everything I got.”
Jacody felt the rage building as Bud’s pain penetrated the shell around him. Bud Lynton had grown up in a time where a man’s word and his handshake were all that were needed to seal a deal. Jacody extended his hand. “I’ll find her, Mr. Lynton. And I’ll bring her home.”
APPETIZERS
Chipped Beef
Combine
1 tsp. horseradish
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 (8-oz) carton sour cream
2 (8-oz) pkgs. cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. minced onion
Then add:
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper (I like red and yellow too)
1 (6-oz) jar chipped beef, chopped
Mix well in 1 quart casserole dish
Bake 20 minutes in 350 degree over
Cover with chopped pecans. Serve hot with shredded wheat crackers
Serves 8 to 10 people
One of my favorites
1 (12-oz) roll of braunschweiger
1 (8-oz) pkg. cream cheese
Cream together until smooth (I do this in the blender although it's hard to clean afterwards)
Add
1 envelop dry onion soup mix
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
Blend well. Serve as a mound on tray with crackers
Cheese Log
1 oz. Roquefort cheese
1 cup finely-grated pecans
1 (8-oz) box soft American Cheese
1/8 tsp. garlic power (or more or less to taste)
6 hard shakes of bottled hot sauce (or more or less to taste--I like it hot)
1 wedge (or 6 to 8 ozs.) extra-share grated cheddar cheese
Shape into two logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
Roll logs in chili power (about 1/2 of medium can) until heavily coated
Wrap logs in plastic wrap. Chill until firm. Cut into slices before serving. Serve with crackers.
Crab Meat Spread
Melt in top of double boiler: 1 lb butter
Add: 1 lb. soft, boxed American cheese cubed
Stir constantly with whisk or spoon until completely blended together.
Add 1 (6-oz.) can crab meat
Keep hot in chafing dish
Serve with sesame crackers
Sausage Balls
Combine
1 lb. sausage (I like it hot, but mild is fine)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups prepared biscuit mix
Blend well
Shape into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven.
You can freeze these for breakfast or snacks. If fozen, bake for 20 minutes in 400 degree oven.
Scalloped Mushrooms
Saute 1 lb. fresh mushrooms in 1/4 cup of butter for 5 to 10 minutes (you can substitute margarine for the butter if you like)
Season with salt and pepper. Spread in shallow baking dish, rouded side up.
Combine:
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 tbsps. very dry sherry
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. instant onion
Add a dash of hot sauce if you like things hot. Pour over mushrooms. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees until cream has been reduced to half and mushrooms are golden.
You can use this for a meat sauce also. If you're making it as an appetizer bake until almost dry and serve with toothpicks.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Brown 2 grated medium-sized onions in butter
Add:
1 1/2 lbs. ground veal
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
3 cups soft bread crumbs
3 tsps. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
3 beaten eggs
Form into bite-sized balls. Brown in butter in heavy skillet
Combine
1 (15-oz) can tomato puree
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
Pour over meatballs. Simmer 1 hour
Add
Juice of 2 lemons
1 cup brown sugar
Simmer another hour
Have a great holiday!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Homemade Candy--Cooking with Millie Crawford and Carl Jackson from The Jacody Ives Mysteries
I decided today that I was really in the mood for homemade candy, so I thought I'd invite two of my favorite Jacody Ives characters into the kitchen. Welcome, if you would, Millie Crawford and Carl Jackson. Two very old friends with lots of secrets, but you'll have to read the book to find those out. Of course, I had forgotten how cantankerous these two could get when placed in close proximity. I may live to regret my decision.
"Have you two decided on a recipe yet?"
Millie smiled at me sweetly, her grey eyes twinkling. "We're going to make Turtles for little Nikki, and the babies."
"Turtles!" Carl rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. "I ain't making no da..."
*Smack*.
"You watch your language Carl Jackson. Little Nikki is in the other room."
Millie gave him a stern look, unconcerned by the darkening of the deep brown eyes. "We're making Turtles."
"Carl, why don't you take a cigarette break while Millie and I gather all the supplies?" I gently moved him toward the back door. "By the time you get back we'll be all set."
"Humph," Millie snorted behind me, "old coot needs to quit smoking 'fore they kill him."
Taking a deep breath I closed the door quickly, shutting off Carl's not so nice retort. "Now, Millie, you know Carl. He'll come around. We just have to make it look like we're having fun."
"Humph, be a lot more fun without him." Millie growled, opening cabinet doors and pulling out bowls. "Old coot needs to learn a little respect for his elders."
I stifled the giggle bubbling up inside my chest. Millie was only a month older than Carl, but she used that trump card every time she could. "Why don't you make him some of your special coffee. Nothing mellows Carl like a good cup of your coffee."
Millie reached for the pot a mischievous smile playing around her lips. "I was just thinking the same thing myself. Why the poor dear must be starving for a good cup of coffee after drinking that rotgut Miss Charity serves."
Uh, oh. Now that was a subject I truly did not want the two of them getting into. "Hand me the recipe and I'll start putting everything together."
Millie handed me a set of handwritten instructions. "Carl wrote them out, so I hope you can read it."
The back door opened and Carl strode back in. "Of course she can read it. Ain't like that chicken scratching of yours. Here give me that list."
"Millie's making you some fresh coffee, Carl. You know, the kind you like."
A slow grin spread over the wrinkled face. "With the good stuff in it?"
Millie nodded, reaching for her purse. "Best money can buy."
"Now you're talking." Carl turned back to me, list in hand. "You ready, girl?"
"Lead on."
Carl scowled at the list. "Need a cup and a half of flour, a half a teaspoon of soda, a fourth a teaspoon of salt, a half a cup of butter, an egg, a half a cup of brown sugar,. .."
"Firmly packed." Millie reminded him gently, as she poured a sizeable helping of bourbon into the coffee cup and topped it off with fresh brewed coffee. "And you need to slow down. She ain't got half the stuff you read off yet."
I could tell Carl really wanted to make some smart retort, but the delicious smell drifting his way kept his mouth closed. He wasn't going to take a chance on Millie not passing over that cup of coffee.
"Now, you drink this and Linda and I will finish getting things ready."
Taking the cup of coffee Carl breathed in the aroma and sighed. "You girls go right ahead."
Millie grabbed the list and quickly pulled all the ingredients together. I was beginning to think my presence wasn't really needed when Millie stopped in mid-stride and reached for another cup. "You look a little pale, honey. Let me fix you a cup of coffee."
"Uh, thanks, Millie, but just coffee, okay?"
"Humph, need more than that to put color in them cheeks."
Millie handed me the coffee. "Drink up. Loosen you up a little. You're way to uptight."
Uptight. That was an understatement. Sniffing the coffee I took a small sip. Just as I suspected Millie had poured in a generous dose of Kentucky Bourbon. It was good, though. I took another sip, savoring the taste. I really could start to like this. Problem was I couldn't hold my liquor. One stout drink and I'd start giggling like a school girl. Only two sips and I could already feel it.
"So, guys, are we gonna make candy?"
Carl sat back in his seat, reaching for a cigarette. "Cheaper to buy it at the store if you ask me."
I giggled. Uh, oh. "Yeah, but not as much fun. Come on, Carl, we can make the turtles."
"Told you, I ain't making no da…I ain't making no turtles. A man don't make turtles."
"Humph," Millie grumbled pouring herself a cup of fresh coffee and adding her special elixir. "A real man don't have to worry about such things. Why if Clarence was here he'd be right in there fixing them turtle shells."
I saw the smug smile on Millie's face out the corner of my eye, as I watched Carl sputter and stutter. Smart woman.
"Hand me them pecans. Anything that old codger can do I can do better."
I really couldn't resist. The song just sprang into my mind. "I can do anything better than you."
Carl raised an eyebrow and looked at my cup. Which surprisingly was empty. "Millie, how much bourbon did you put in that cup?"
Millie glanced up from her mixing. "Oh, dear. She drank it all already?"
"Yep, every last sip." Carl stated, taking the empty cup from my hand. "Don't think you need any more of this, honey. Why don't you just sit there quietly and we'll let you lick the frosting spoon."
*Hiccup*. "Okie, dokie."
Carl took the baking pan, greased it up good and grabbed the bag of pecans. "Rounded side up, right?"
Millie smiled at him. "One for the head, two for the back legs."
I sat, giggling occasionally as Carl lined up the pecans. "Don't look like a turtle to me. Have you got a picture of that? I bet it don't look like that."
Millie came to the table carrying a bowl of dough balls and bowl of egg whites. "Now you shush up. Carl, I think you done a great job, honey. Now all we have to do is form the bodies."
"Oh, goodie," I squeaked, popping a dough ball into my mouth. Which wasn't nearly as good as I'd thought it would be. Millie immediately moved the bowl out of my reach.
I figured I'd better be good or they wouldn't let me have any turtles. Sitting quietly except for an occasional giggle I watched as they dipped the balls into egg whites and pressed them into the nuts forming perfect little turtle bodies. "They're so cute."
Millie and Carl exchanged glances as Millie picked up the pan and headed for the oven. "Carl, why don't you pour Linda a cup of plain coffee."
"Only if I can make myself one that ain't plain." Carl joined her at the counter. "You think we can sober her up before the story closes out?"
Millie glanced my way and I gave her a big smile with a thumbs up. Shaking her head she turned back to the counter. "Don't look that way."
Carl placed the cup of coffee in front of me. "Drink up, honey. Otherwise I get to write the ending here, and you know how you hate it when I write the story."
Three cups of coffee later the turtles were cooling on a rack and Carl handed me the frosting spoon. "Here you go, honey. Just like I promised."
Unfortunately the smell didn't have quite the effect either of us had expected. Or maybe not the effect I had expected. "I don't feel so good. Would you two excuse me." I headed quickly for the bathroom.
"Works every time." Carl smiled at Millie, licking the spoon. "That sure is good, Mille. Don't nobody make chocolate frosting like you."
Millie smiled back. "Another cup of coffee?"
"Might as well. I don't think she's coming back."
Carl sipped his coffee watching as Millie coated each little turtle with chocolate. "They are kind of cute."
"Humph," Millie grunted. "Thought real men didn't make turtles?"
"Hush woman," Carl growled. "I'm thinking. I gotta close this thing out."
"Ain't no brainer there. Just tell them what you learned."
Carl looked around the room. "You ever wonder where they are, Millie?"
Millie licked chocolate from her finger and shook her head. "Everybody loves a good book. They're everywhere."
Taking a deep breath Carl stood up. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Today we learned two things." Laughing he took a sip of coffee. "First, Linda can't hold her liquor."
Taking another sip of coffee he tightened his jaw muscles, brown eyes turning charcoal. "And real men make turtles."
Draining the cup he headed for the counter. "And I think it's time a real man got to sample the fruits of his labor."
"Carl Jackson don't you touch my turtles."
"Your turtles! Dammit, woman, I made them turtles."
*Smack*.
Turtles
1 1/2 cup sifted flour 1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp. soda 1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. maple flavoring
1/2 cup butter or margarine pecan halves
1 egg 1 egg white
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Mix flour, soda and salt. Cream butter; gradually add sugar and cream well. Add egg and egg yolk; beat well. Blend in flavoring. Add dry ingredients gradually and mix thoroughly. Arrange pecan halves rounded side up in groups of three on greased baking sheet to resemble head and hind legs of turtles . Mold dough into balls by using rounded teaspoon of dough to each. Dip bottom into egg white and press into nuts. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Chocolate Frosting for Turtles:
2 (2 oz.) squares chocolate 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 cup milk 1 cup confectioners' sugar
Combine chocolate, milk and butter in top of double broiler. Heat over boiling water until chocolate melts; blend until smooth. Remove from heat and add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and glossy. Frost turtles when cool.
SOME MORE GREAT HOMEMADE CANDIES
Chocolate Caramels
2 cups sugar 1 cup nuts (optional)
2 cups whipping cream 1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 squares semi-sweet chocolate
Keep back 1 cup of cream. Boil all other ingredients till firm ball stage. Slowly add 1 cup cream and boil again till very firm ball is formed in cold water. Boil at least 25 minutes. Grease large cookie sheet and pour. Cut when cool.
Peanut Butter Fudge
1/2 cup margarine 3/4 cup peanut butter
1 lb. light brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup milk 1 lb. confectioners' sugar
In medium saucepan melt margarine, stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Mix in confectioners' sugar; beat with mixer until smooth. Spread into buttered 9 x 13 pan. Chill.
Peanut Brittle
2 cups sugar 1 Tbsp. butter
1 cup white corn syrup 1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup water 2 tsp. soda
1 lb. unsalted peanuts
Boil sugar, syrup and water until mixture spins a thread in cold water. About 11 minutes. Add peanuts and cook until mixture is caramelized - about 10 minutes. Stir in butter and vanilla. Add soda and stir quickly. Spread candy on large buttered cookie sheet. When cook break into pieces.
Butterscotch Balls
1 box powered sugar 1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans 2 sticks margarine, melted
1/2 cup peanut butter 1-6oz pkg. butterscotch chips
1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 bar paraffin wax
Combine first 6 ingredients. Add margarine. Shape into balls. Melt butterscotch chips and paraffin. Dip balls into butterscotch mixture. Drop onto waxed paper.
Mocha Fudge
3/4 cup evaporated milk 1/4 cup oleo
3 Tbsp. instant coffee 1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
2 1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
1 - 7 oz. jar marshmallow cream
In a 3-qt. saucepan, heat milk and stir in coffee to dissolve. Stir in sugar, marshmallow cream and butter. Bring to a boil stirring constantly and boil GENTLY over medium heat for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and beat in chocolate and vanilla until well blended. Pour into greased 8-in square pan. When cool, cut into 1 or 2 inch squares.
"Have you two decided on a recipe yet?"
Millie smiled at me sweetly, her grey eyes twinkling. "We're going to make Turtles for little Nikki, and the babies."
"Turtles!" Carl rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. "I ain't making no da..."
*Smack*.
"You watch your language Carl Jackson. Little Nikki is in the other room."
Millie gave him a stern look, unconcerned by the darkening of the deep brown eyes. "We're making Turtles."
"Carl, why don't you take a cigarette break while Millie and I gather all the supplies?" I gently moved him toward the back door. "By the time you get back we'll be all set."
"Humph," Millie snorted behind me, "old coot needs to quit smoking 'fore they kill him."
Taking a deep breath I closed the door quickly, shutting off Carl's not so nice retort. "Now, Millie, you know Carl. He'll come around. We just have to make it look like we're having fun."
"Humph, be a lot more fun without him." Millie growled, opening cabinet doors and pulling out bowls. "Old coot needs to learn a little respect for his elders."
I stifled the giggle bubbling up inside my chest. Millie was only a month older than Carl, but she used that trump card every time she could. "Why don't you make him some of your special coffee. Nothing mellows Carl like a good cup of your coffee."
Millie reached for the pot a mischievous smile playing around her lips. "I was just thinking the same thing myself. Why the poor dear must be starving for a good cup of coffee after drinking that rotgut Miss Charity serves."
Uh, oh. Now that was a subject I truly did not want the two of them getting into. "Hand me the recipe and I'll start putting everything together."
Millie handed me a set of handwritten instructions. "Carl wrote them out, so I hope you can read it."
The back door opened and Carl strode back in. "Of course she can read it. Ain't like that chicken scratching of yours. Here give me that list."
"Millie's making you some fresh coffee, Carl. You know, the kind you like."
A slow grin spread over the wrinkled face. "With the good stuff in it?"
Millie nodded, reaching for her purse. "Best money can buy."
"Now you're talking." Carl turned back to me, list in hand. "You ready, girl?"
"Lead on."
Carl scowled at the list. "Need a cup and a half of flour, a half a teaspoon of soda, a fourth a teaspoon of salt, a half a cup of butter, an egg, a half a cup of brown sugar,. .."
"Firmly packed." Millie reminded him gently, as she poured a sizeable helping of bourbon into the coffee cup and topped it off with fresh brewed coffee. "And you need to slow down. She ain't got half the stuff you read off yet."
I could tell Carl really wanted to make some smart retort, but the delicious smell drifting his way kept his mouth closed. He wasn't going to take a chance on Millie not passing over that cup of coffee.
"Now, you drink this and Linda and I will finish getting things ready."
Taking the cup of coffee Carl breathed in the aroma and sighed. "You girls go right ahead."
Millie grabbed the list and quickly pulled all the ingredients together. I was beginning to think my presence wasn't really needed when Millie stopped in mid-stride and reached for another cup. "You look a little pale, honey. Let me fix you a cup of coffee."
"Uh, thanks, Millie, but just coffee, okay?"
"Humph, need more than that to put color in them cheeks."
Millie handed me the coffee. "Drink up. Loosen you up a little. You're way to uptight."
Uptight. That was an understatement. Sniffing the coffee I took a small sip. Just as I suspected Millie had poured in a generous dose of Kentucky Bourbon. It was good, though. I took another sip, savoring the taste. I really could start to like this. Problem was I couldn't hold my liquor. One stout drink and I'd start giggling like a school girl. Only two sips and I could already feel it.
"So, guys, are we gonna make candy?"
Carl sat back in his seat, reaching for a cigarette. "Cheaper to buy it at the store if you ask me."
I giggled. Uh, oh. "Yeah, but not as much fun. Come on, Carl, we can make the turtles."
"Told you, I ain't making no da…I ain't making no turtles. A man don't make turtles."
"Humph," Millie grumbled pouring herself a cup of fresh coffee and adding her special elixir. "A real man don't have to worry about such things. Why if Clarence was here he'd be right in there fixing them turtle shells."
I saw the smug smile on Millie's face out the corner of my eye, as I watched Carl sputter and stutter. Smart woman.
"Hand me them pecans. Anything that old codger can do I can do better."
I really couldn't resist. The song just sprang into my mind. "I can do anything better than you."
Carl raised an eyebrow and looked at my cup. Which surprisingly was empty. "Millie, how much bourbon did you put in that cup?"
Millie glanced up from her mixing. "Oh, dear. She drank it all already?"
"Yep, every last sip." Carl stated, taking the empty cup from my hand. "Don't think you need any more of this, honey. Why don't you just sit there quietly and we'll let you lick the frosting spoon."
*Hiccup*. "Okie, dokie."
Carl took the baking pan, greased it up good and grabbed the bag of pecans. "Rounded side up, right?"
Millie smiled at him. "One for the head, two for the back legs."
I sat, giggling occasionally as Carl lined up the pecans. "Don't look like a turtle to me. Have you got a picture of that? I bet it don't look like that."
Millie came to the table carrying a bowl of dough balls and bowl of egg whites. "Now you shush up. Carl, I think you done a great job, honey. Now all we have to do is form the bodies."
"Oh, goodie," I squeaked, popping a dough ball into my mouth. Which wasn't nearly as good as I'd thought it would be. Millie immediately moved the bowl out of my reach.
I figured I'd better be good or they wouldn't let me have any turtles. Sitting quietly except for an occasional giggle I watched as they dipped the balls into egg whites and pressed them into the nuts forming perfect little turtle bodies. "They're so cute."
Millie and Carl exchanged glances as Millie picked up the pan and headed for the oven. "Carl, why don't you pour Linda a cup of plain coffee."
"Only if I can make myself one that ain't plain." Carl joined her at the counter. "You think we can sober her up before the story closes out?"
Millie glanced my way and I gave her a big smile with a thumbs up. Shaking her head she turned back to the counter. "Don't look that way."
Carl placed the cup of coffee in front of me. "Drink up, honey. Otherwise I get to write the ending here, and you know how you hate it when I write the story."
Three cups of coffee later the turtles were cooling on a rack and Carl handed me the frosting spoon. "Here you go, honey. Just like I promised."
Unfortunately the smell didn't have quite the effect either of us had expected. Or maybe not the effect I had expected. "I don't feel so good. Would you two excuse me." I headed quickly for the bathroom.
"Works every time." Carl smiled at Millie, licking the spoon. "That sure is good, Mille. Don't nobody make chocolate frosting like you."
Millie smiled back. "Another cup of coffee?"
"Might as well. I don't think she's coming back."
Carl sipped his coffee watching as Millie coated each little turtle with chocolate. "They are kind of cute."
"Humph," Millie grunted. "Thought real men didn't make turtles?"
"Hush woman," Carl growled. "I'm thinking. I gotta close this thing out."
"Ain't no brainer there. Just tell them what you learned."
Carl looked around the room. "You ever wonder where they are, Millie?"
Millie licked chocolate from her finger and shook her head. "Everybody loves a good book. They're everywhere."
Taking a deep breath Carl stood up. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Today we learned two things." Laughing he took a sip of coffee. "First, Linda can't hold her liquor."
Taking another sip of coffee he tightened his jaw muscles, brown eyes turning charcoal. "And real men make turtles."
Draining the cup he headed for the counter. "And I think it's time a real man got to sample the fruits of his labor."
"Carl Jackson don't you touch my turtles."
"Your turtles! Dammit, woman, I made them turtles."
*Smack*.
Turtles
1 1/2 cup sifted flour 1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp. soda 1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. maple flavoring
1/2 cup butter or margarine pecan halves
1 egg 1 egg white
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Mix flour, soda and salt. Cream butter; gradually add sugar and cream well. Add egg and egg yolk; beat well. Blend in flavoring. Add dry ingredients gradually and mix thoroughly. Arrange pecan halves rounded side up in groups of three on greased baking sheet to resemble head and hind legs of turtles . Mold dough into balls by using rounded teaspoon of dough to each. Dip bottom into egg white and press into nuts. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Chocolate Frosting for Turtles:
2 (2 oz.) squares chocolate 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 cup milk 1 cup confectioners' sugar
Combine chocolate, milk and butter in top of double broiler. Heat over boiling water until chocolate melts; blend until smooth. Remove from heat and add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and glossy. Frost turtles when cool.
SOME MORE GREAT HOMEMADE CANDIES
Chocolate Caramels
2 cups sugar 1 cup nuts (optional)
2 cups whipping cream 1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 squares semi-sweet chocolate
Keep back 1 cup of cream. Boil all other ingredients till firm ball stage. Slowly add 1 cup cream and boil again till very firm ball is formed in cold water. Boil at least 25 minutes. Grease large cookie sheet and pour. Cut when cool.
Peanut Butter Fudge
1/2 cup margarine 3/4 cup peanut butter
1 lb. light brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup milk 1 lb. confectioners' sugar
In medium saucepan melt margarine, stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Mix in confectioners' sugar; beat with mixer until smooth. Spread into buttered 9 x 13 pan. Chill.
Peanut Brittle
2 cups sugar 1 Tbsp. butter
1 cup white corn syrup 1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup water 2 tsp. soda
1 lb. unsalted peanuts
Boil sugar, syrup and water until mixture spins a thread in cold water. About 11 minutes. Add peanuts and cook until mixture is caramelized - about 10 minutes. Stir in butter and vanilla. Add soda and stir quickly. Spread candy on large buttered cookie sheet. When cook break into pieces.
Butterscotch Balls
1 box powered sugar 1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans 2 sticks margarine, melted
1/2 cup peanut butter 1-6oz pkg. butterscotch chips
1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 bar paraffin wax
Combine first 6 ingredients. Add margarine. Shape into balls. Melt butterscotch chips and paraffin. Dip balls into butterscotch mixture. Drop onto waxed paper.
Mocha Fudge
3/4 cup evaporated milk 1/4 cup oleo
3 Tbsp. instant coffee 1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
2 1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
1 - 7 oz. jar marshmallow cream
In a 3-qt. saucepan, heat milk and stir in coffee to dissolve. Stir in sugar, marshmallow cream and butter. Bring to a boil stirring constantly and boil GENTLY over medium heat for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and beat in chocolate and vanilla until well blended. Pour into greased 8-in square pan. When cool, cut into 1 or 2 inch squares.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Excerpt and some homemade fruit, veggie and chip dips
Introducing two of my favorite characters - Billy Dawson and Charity Froste. Hope you enjoy the excerpt and some really great cookout dips to try.
“And so it begins.” Billy Dawson flipped over the tarot card, placing it on top of the first card.
Charity Froste sighed, poured two cups of coffee and took a seat across the table from him.
“Jacody soon be on his way,” she stated, sipping the thick hot liquid. She rolled her eyes, noticing the cards. New fangled toys was what they was. She touched the medicine bag lying between her two huge breasts. Now there was real magic.
Billy didn’t look up. He didn’t need to. He could feel her disapproval. “Tools, Miss Charity. The cards, the stones, the bones, they’re all just tools.”
“Dem’ bones don’t lie,” Charity chastised him.
Billy swallowed the laugh on his lips as the wind carried the sound to their ears. A lonesome sound. A sound of pain. A sound of heartache. The sound of a lost soul.
Billy turned over the next card. The Hanged Man.
Perhaps the sound of destiny.
Tonight a soul would pass into the netherworld. The white wolf would howl its mournful song. The elder would dance and sing his prayers to God. The dreamers would dream.
“Told you dem’ bones don’t lie.” Charity eyed him suspiciously. “You called the wolf, didn’t you?”
Billy shuffled the cards, ignoring the question. She knew the answer. “We can’t be interfering, Miss Charity.”
“He’s a good man.”
“Yes, ma’am, I reckon he is.”
“Ain’t right.” Charity clutched the cup tightly. Time was running out. Night would come all too soon. A dark night.
“No, ma’am.” Billy continued to shuffle, mindful to be respectful and listen. Answering her, although it probably wasn’t necessary.
Charity studied her reflection in the coffee cup. Lost in thought. “He didn’t choose the path he’s on.”
“No, ma’am. I don’t reckon he did.” Billy pulled another card. Miss Charity was losing her accent.
“Somebody chose it for him before he was even born. It just isn’t right, I tell you. And I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I can’t just watch him die. I’m not going to do that, Billy Dawson. You can’t ask me to do that.”
Billy reached for the last card, avoiding her searching eyes. He knew what she wanted. What she needed. She was waiting for him to say something. Answer the question she hadn’t asked. Condone her interference, or condemn her actions not yet taken. He could neither condone nor condemn. He’d already interfered. Now there was nothing to do but wait.
Billy turned the last card over. The Devil grinned up at him. A male chained to his left, a female to his right. His smile a mockery of everything Billy believed in.
Lifting his head he met her gaze. There was nothing he could say to ease her pain. “I’m sorry, Miss Charity.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cheese Dip
2 lb. Mexican Velveeta Cheese
1 lb. sausage
1 - 15 oz. can stewed tomatoes
Brown sausage and drain. Melt cheese on low heat. Stir in sausage and stewed tomatoes. Do not drain. (for those with a love of "hot" stir in some jalapeno peppers).
Bagel Dip
8 oz. package cream cheese
1 cup MIRACLE WHIP
2 - 3 oz. Buddig beef packages
1 bunch green onions, chopped
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Dash of garlic powder
Mix all together and chill.
Onion and Bacon Dip
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
6 slices bacon, fried crisp & crumbled
Dash of salt
1 medium onion, chopped fine
Miracle Whip
Mix first four ingredients together and add enough Miracle Whip to make smooth and of dip consistency.
Mexican Dip
1 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 - 8 oz. carton sour cream
1 can refried beans
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
20 drops Tabasco sauce
3 green onions chopped
Mix all together. Spread in casserole dish. Cover with shredded cheese (about 1 cup). Bake at 350 for about 25 to 30 minutes until hot throughout. Serve with nacho chips.
Artichoke Dip
1 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 can artichokes
1 cup mayonnaise
Stir ingredients together. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
Veggie Dill Dip
1 pint sour cream
1 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
6 tsp. dill weed
6 tsp. minced onion
4 tsp. parsley flakes
2 tsp. Lawry's Seasoned Salt
Mix all together, chill; serve. Good with veggies or chips.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
An Easy Dieter's Tip that won't cost you any money.
Now that I've shared delicious recipes that will add the weight to your body, I thought I'd share an easy tip to help you take it off with little to no effort, and basically no cost at all.
Those who know me best know I drink tons of coffee. I don't add sugar, and now I'm not adding cream so I've always believed that I wasn't adding to my weight problem. Wrong!
According to a recent issue of Prevention Magazine the body has what's called a Fat-Burning "Thermic" Response. In other words, certain foods and things we do cause the body to work harder and thus burn more calories. Woot! Wouldn't that be great. And here's the tip: Ice water.
I know, I know, you've heard for years that you needed to drink 8 glasses of water a day to be healthy. Even when I do that I don't lose weight. Perhaps because I'm not drinking ice cold water. And perhaps because I'm flooding my system with hot drinks like coffee and tea. If I buy into the Fat-Burning Thermic response, it makes total sense to me. It takes my body longer to "heat" the ice drinks, and therefore my system has to work harder and thus burns off more calories.
I'm going to give this a try. In the next four weeks I'm not really going to diet/diet, but instead I'm going to give it a heave-ho effort to cut down on the amount of hot drinks I'm consuming, and incorporate at least 5 to 8 glasses of "ice" water into my daily routine. In the past no matter how much I dieted or even drinking 8 glasses of water my weight loss has been nomimal at best, depressing me to the point of eating that piece of chocolate cake I had so long denied myself.
Summer is upon us, and I for one need to lose a little of that winter pudge (a five year winter pudge in my case) and if drinking cold drinks will give me a little boost--then I'm all for it.
Hope you have a great day, and grab a glass of ice water and keep it on your desk.
Those who know me best know I drink tons of coffee. I don't add sugar, and now I'm not adding cream so I've always believed that I wasn't adding to my weight problem. Wrong!
According to a recent issue of Prevention Magazine the body has what's called a Fat-Burning "Thermic" Response. In other words, certain foods and things we do cause the body to work harder and thus burn more calories. Woot! Wouldn't that be great. And here's the tip: Ice water.
I know, I know, you've heard for years that you needed to drink 8 glasses of water a day to be healthy. Even when I do that I don't lose weight. Perhaps because I'm not drinking ice cold water. And perhaps because I'm flooding my system with hot drinks like coffee and tea. If I buy into the Fat-Burning Thermic response, it makes total sense to me. It takes my body longer to "heat" the ice drinks, and therefore my system has to work harder and thus burns off more calories.
I'm going to give this a try. In the next four weeks I'm not really going to diet/diet, but instead I'm going to give it a heave-ho effort to cut down on the amount of hot drinks I'm consuming, and incorporate at least 5 to 8 glasses of "ice" water into my daily routine. In the past no matter how much I dieted or even drinking 8 glasses of water my weight loss has been nomimal at best, depressing me to the point of eating that piece of chocolate cake I had so long denied myself.
Summer is upon us, and I for one need to lose a little of that winter pudge (a five year winter pudge in my case) and if drinking cold drinks will give me a little boost--then I'm all for it.
Hope you have a great day, and grab a glass of ice water and keep it on your desk.
Heavenly Salads - What cookout is complete without one?
As summer approaches and I start to think about those neighborhood and family cookouts I've been dragging out my personal recipes and looking for favorites that are basically quick and easy.
Frozen Cherry Salad
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can crushed pineapple
1 can Eagle Brand Milk
1 cup chopped nuts
1 large Cool Whip
Mix all ingredients together and freeze. Cut into squares and serve.
Frozen Fruit Salad
1 cup sour cream
1/2 of a 4 1/2 oz carton frozen Cool Whip
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
13 oz. can drained crushed pineapple
2 medium bananas, cut in chunks
1/2 cup red cherries, sliced
1/2 cup green cherries, sliced
1/2 cup walnuts
Cream sour cream and Cool Whip. Add sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and mix well. Add fruit and freeze.
Pretzel Salad
2 cups crushed pretzels (about an 18 oz. bag)
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 sticks margarine melted
2 cups Cool Whip
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese--softened
2 3 oz. pkgs. strawberry gelatin
2 cups hot pineapple juice
2 10 oz. pkgs. frozen strawberries and their juice
Melt margarine. Crush pretzels and add to melted margarine along with 1/4 cup sugar. Spread pretzel mix in 9 x 13 pan greased. Bake at 350F for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool. Heat pineapple juice and dissolve Jell-O in it. Add strawberries and juice. Allow to set partially in refrigerator. Mix cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and Cool Whip together. Spread over pretzel mixture. Let chill while Jell-O is setting. Spread gelatin mixture on top and refrigerate.
Cornbread Salad
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 - 1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tomatoes diced
salt and pepper to taste
12 corn muffins or 1 skillet baked cornbread crumbled
Mix all ingredients together and chill before serving.
Sour Cream Potato Salad
6 cups potatoes, cooked and diced
1/4 cup melted butter
1 bunch green onions
4 hard boiled eggs, separated
1 cup celery, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. pepper (or to taste)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
2 Tbsp. sugar
Toss potatoes lightly in butter. Chop onions reserving a small amount of tops. Add onions to potatoes along with chopped egg whites. Add celery, salt and pepper and toss lightly. Mash egg yolks; add to sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard and sugar. Mix well. Pour over potato mixture and toss. Garnish with reserved onion tops and radish roses or strips of pimento.
Fix it, store it and serve it. Your friends and family will love you.
Frozen Cherry Salad
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can crushed pineapple
1 can Eagle Brand Milk
1 cup chopped nuts
1 large Cool Whip
Mix all ingredients together and freeze. Cut into squares and serve.
Frozen Fruit Salad
1 cup sour cream
1/2 of a 4 1/2 oz carton frozen Cool Whip
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
13 oz. can drained crushed pineapple
2 medium bananas, cut in chunks
1/2 cup red cherries, sliced
1/2 cup green cherries, sliced
1/2 cup walnuts
Cream sour cream and Cool Whip. Add sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and mix well. Add fruit and freeze.
Pretzel Salad
2 cups crushed pretzels (about an 18 oz. bag)
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 sticks margarine melted
2 cups Cool Whip
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese--softened
2 3 oz. pkgs. strawberry gelatin
2 cups hot pineapple juice
2 10 oz. pkgs. frozen strawberries and their juice
Melt margarine. Crush pretzels and add to melted margarine along with 1/4 cup sugar. Spread pretzel mix in 9 x 13 pan greased. Bake at 350F for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool. Heat pineapple juice and dissolve Jell-O in it. Add strawberries and juice. Allow to set partially in refrigerator. Mix cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and Cool Whip together. Spread over pretzel mixture. Let chill while Jell-O is setting. Spread gelatin mixture on top and refrigerate.
Cornbread Salad
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 - 1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tomatoes diced
salt and pepper to taste
12 corn muffins or 1 skillet baked cornbread crumbled
Mix all ingredients together and chill before serving.
Sour Cream Potato Salad
6 cups potatoes, cooked and diced
1/4 cup melted butter
1 bunch green onions
4 hard boiled eggs, separated
1 cup celery, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. pepper (or to taste)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
2 Tbsp. sugar
Toss potatoes lightly in butter. Chop onions reserving a small amount of tops. Add onions to potatoes along with chopped egg whites. Add celery, salt and pepper and toss lightly. Mash egg yolks; add to sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard and sugar. Mix well. Pour over potato mixture and toss. Garnish with reserved onion tops and radish roses or strips of pimento.
Fix it, store it and serve it. Your friends and family will love you.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Recipes - Some Great Sauces- Homemade Salsa
As summer approaches so do the thoughts of good food, outdoor fun, and reading on my Kindle. Thought I'd share some homemade sauces today. Have a great one!
Pizza Sauce
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/4 tsp. sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp. minced onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. sweet basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
Mix together and spread on homemade crust.
Home Salsa
3 - 15 - oz. cans diced tomatoes with chiles
1 large green pepper
2 medium yellow onions or 1 large Vidalia onion
2 jalapeno peppers
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cili powder
2 Tbsp. vinegar
Dice peppers, onions, and jalapenos in food processor until finely chopped. Add the three cans of tomatoes and all remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Let chill overnight.
Hot Dog Sauce
8 tsp. chili powder
3 lb. hamburger
1 can tomatoe sauce
1 cup cornflakes
3 tsp. salt
3 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 can beer
Brown meat. Add beer, tomato sauce and salt. Simmer on low heat for 40 minutes. Mash with masher. Add remaining ingredients and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
White Sauce for Grilling Chicken
1 cup oil
1 egg
3 Tbsp. poultry seasoning
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups apple cider vinegar
Combine oil and egg in blender to thick consistency. Add spices and vinegar. Baste chicken often. Cook about 20 minutes each side or until juices flow clear.
Pizza Sauce
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/4 tsp. sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp. minced onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. sweet basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
Mix together and spread on homemade crust.
Home Salsa
3 - 15 - oz. cans diced tomatoes with chiles
1 large green pepper
2 medium yellow onions or 1 large Vidalia onion
2 jalapeno peppers
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cili powder
2 Tbsp. vinegar
Dice peppers, onions, and jalapenos in food processor until finely chopped. Add the three cans of tomatoes and all remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Let chill overnight.
Hot Dog Sauce
8 tsp. chili powder
3 lb. hamburger
1 can tomatoe sauce
1 cup cornflakes
3 tsp. salt
3 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 can beer
Brown meat. Add beer, tomato sauce and salt. Simmer on low heat for 40 minutes. Mash with masher. Add remaining ingredients and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
White Sauce for Grilling Chicken
1 cup oil
1 egg
3 Tbsp. poultry seasoning
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups apple cider vinegar
Combine oil and egg in blender to thick consistency. Add spices and vinegar. Baste chicken often. Cook about 20 minutes each side or until juices flow clear.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sample Sunday Anticipation--Something New
I always look forward to Sample Sunday, but this week is even more exciting as a group of Indie Authors have decided to have a "Cook Off". We'll be posting excerpts of books, flash fiction and/or short stories and weaving therein our favorite foods and recipes. A writing challenge that I simply could not ignore. How could I? I mean three of my favorite things. Reading, writing and food.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do this Sunday as neither of my current books deal with food in any way that I found exciting, or even interesting. Could I actually do a murder mystery or serial killer plot involving food?
I love writing challenges because they do just that--challenge you to use your imagination. To step outside that secure little zone you've built for yourself and leap into something different. Here's a prelude to what's to come.
Food To Die Smiling For
Each year a prisoner on death row is allowed to choose a chef to prepare their last meals. This occurs over a three day period. Day one is breakfast. Day two is lunch. Day three is dinner, with dessert prior to the midnight countdown to death by injection. If the prisoner smiles after each meal, then the chef is assured that their career is forever safe. If a prisoner doesn't smile then their career is forever destroyed. Each year the whole world watches--sort of like watching Hell's Kitchen--to see if a prominent well-known chef will make it or go down in flames.
This year the notorious serial killer Ian McGregor will choose. But McGregor shocks the world when he chooses Carrie Thompson, a small restaurant owner that no one has ever heard of.
Carrie and her best friend, and business partner Sammie must come up with food to die smiling for. Are they up to the challenge? And what is McGregor really up to? Did he choose Carrie because he'd heard of her culinary mastery, or was he planning on having her for dessert?
Stop by Sunday and check out Part 1 of Food To Die Smiling For. We're having an Irish breakfast, with loads of fun, and some great recipes. Hope to see you there.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do this Sunday as neither of my current books deal with food in any way that I found exciting, or even interesting. Could I actually do a murder mystery or serial killer plot involving food?
I love writing challenges because they do just that--challenge you to use your imagination. To step outside that secure little zone you've built for yourself and leap into something different. Here's a prelude to what's to come.
Food To Die Smiling For
Each year a prisoner on death row is allowed to choose a chef to prepare their last meals. This occurs over a three day period. Day one is breakfast. Day two is lunch. Day three is dinner, with dessert prior to the midnight countdown to death by injection. If the prisoner smiles after each meal, then the chef is assured that their career is forever safe. If a prisoner doesn't smile then their career is forever destroyed. Each year the whole world watches--sort of like watching Hell's Kitchen--to see if a prominent well-known chef will make it or go down in flames.
This year the notorious serial killer Ian McGregor will choose. But McGregor shocks the world when he chooses Carrie Thompson, a small restaurant owner that no one has ever heard of.
Carrie and her best friend, and business partner Sammie must come up with food to die smiling for. Are they up to the challenge? And what is McGregor really up to? Did he choose Carrie because he'd heard of her culinary mastery, or was he planning on having her for dessert?
Stop by Sunday and check out Part 1 of Food To Die Smiling For. We're having an Irish breakfast, with loads of fun, and some great recipes. Hope to see you there.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Poetry, Excerpt and Homemade Pies
It's National Poetry Month. I've always loved poetry, but rarely felt I could do justice to it. My son wrote most of the poetry used in Sacred Secrets, but I did manage--with his help, to write one. It was my feelings and emotions related to Father Michael's struggle. I hope you enjoy the poem, as well as the excerpt, and some great pie recipes.
Your plangent cries permeate my dreams
Lest I forget
That which I have become
Slipping into the verisimiltude
I have created
A myrmidon of evil
Panoply of secrets
Pulling me down
Into the brackish water of my dreams
‘Tis but a simple deed
To expiate my sins
Simple as life
Or death
I chose this cup
Now I must drink.
Father Michael felt the chasm widen. A vast wasteland of emptiness. Nothingness. He had nothing. He was nothing.
“Isn’t it beautiful, Father Michael?”
Father Peter’s words were a mere whisper, his hands longing to caress the parchment stored beneath the thick glass.
“Where . . .”
Father Peter turned to him excitedly. “A gift from your sister, Claire.”
Father Michael nodded. He’d recognized the painting immediately as one of John’s beautiful fakes. The Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden. Two beams of light shone down from the hands of the Virgin and Christ, enthroned on the heavenly plane, joining into one single stream entering the eyes of the seated saint. Images were powerful in medieval times.
Father Michael lowered his head, closed his eyes. “Please . . .,” she whispered.
Images were still powerful.
Father Peter gushed on, his excitement uncontainable. “Of course, I know it’s a reproduction, but its beauty, its message is invaluable.”
A beautiful fake, just like me. Father Michael thought, the riving pain opening, surging. A raging river in which he was going to drown.
The words came from the midst of the chasm. Words he’d not intended to say. “I’ve lost all hope, Father.”
The words echoed in the small study, coming from all four corners, dowsing the sun streaming from the window, fading the colors of the parchment. Gripping the heart of Father Peter with pain.
He turned, excitement of the gift still etched upon his wrinkled face. Gasping as he gazed into open wounds, vivid pools reflecting suffering. Never before had he seen such agony. His hands fluttered in front of him, mind sifting through eighty years of life, searching for words to breach the chasm. Words of comfort.
“There is always hope, Father Michael. God is our hope.”
“I no longer hear His voice, Father.” He glanced at the painting. “No longer feel His light.”
“We must pray, my son.” Father Peter walked around the desk, placing his hand on the young priest’s shoulder. “We must pray that God will guide you in your hour of need.”
Father Michael sighed, placing his hand over the knotted arthritic joints of Father Peter’s fingers. “I have prayed, Father. I pray daily that God will take this cup from me.”
Father Peter felt the trembling in the hand covering his. Felt the despair. His words came unbidden. Words he knew not the source. Words he would ponder and regret in the days to come.
“Perhaps you must take the cup and drink from it.”
Father Michael embraced him. He had the forlorn feeling of being alone in the world. And that loneliness threatened to crush him. He whispered the words that sealed his fate. “Perhaps, Father. Perhaps I must.”
Looking for a great way to spend the weekend? Grab a good book--grab two!
The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery
Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery
Now, let's have some homemade pie!
No-Bake Pie
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz. frozen dairy topping, thawed
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup milk
1 prebaked graham cracker pie crust
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer combine cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and milk. Beat until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping. Pour into pie shell. Freeze 4 to 6 hours. Thaw 10 minutes before serving.
Sweet Potato Pie
1 large can sweet potatoes drained and mashed
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 stick butter
Dash of cinnamon
1 cup evaporated milk
Mix all together. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes in buttered casserole dish.
Topping:
1 cup crushed corn flakes
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 stick butter
Sprinkle over top and bake 15 minutes.
Cherry Macaroon Pie
1 can cherry pie filling
1 9" crust
1 egg
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
1 1/4 cup coconut
Pour cherry filling into crust. Beat together egg and milk. Add sugar, flour, salt, almond extract and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in coconut. Pour over pie filling. Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until puffed and light brown. Cool before serving.
Buttermilk Pecan Pie
4 cups sugar
7 Tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 cup milk
2 Tbsp. vanilla
5 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 sticks melted margarine
(can also add 1 tsp. lemon juice)
Mix above ingredients well with mixer. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans. Pour mixture into 2 deep dish pie shells and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Strawberry Sour Cream Pie
2 1/2 cups strawberries
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 cup sour cream
Mix sugar, flour and sour cream. Add sliced berries. Pour into unbaked shell and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 and bad an additional 30 minutes.
Chocolate Cream Pie
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine softened
1 cup sugar
2 squares (1 oz. each) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup biscuit baking mix
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and on high for 1 minute. Pour the mixture into a greased 9" pie plate. Bake for 3 minutes or until set. Cool before serving
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