Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Minotaur Books (February 20, 2024)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Jin grew up literally hanging onto Mom’s apron strings in their magical bakery in the quaint town of Pixie, California. Her mother’s enchanted baked goods, including puffy pineapple buns and creamy egg tarts, bring instant joy to all who consume them. Felicity has always been hesitant in the kitchen herself after many failed attempts, but a takeout meal gone wrong inspires her to craft some handmade fortune cookies.

They become so popular that Felicity runs out of generic fortunes and starts making her own personalized predictions. When one customer’s ill-fated fortune results in his murder, Felicity’s suspiciously specific fortune has the police focusing on her as the main culprit. Now Felicity must find a way to turn her luck around and get cleared from suspicion.

 

 

Amazon – Macmillian – Bookshop – B&N – Kobo

 

 

Recipe

 

~Auspicious Almond Cookies~

 

Makes about 24 cookies, or 2 dozen

Ingredients:

1 ⅓ cups sifted all-purpose flour

⅝ cup white sugar

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

½ cup butter

1  egg

1 ½ tsp almond extract (1 tsp if less almond flavor is desired)

24 almond slices (sliced almonds)

 

Directions:

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together into a bowl. Cut in the butter (VERY important, don’t skip this) until mixture resembles cornmeal. Add the almond extract and half of the egg. Mix well. The dough will appear to be too crumbly in the beginning, but if you mix it long enough, it will get the right consistency (that’s why you only need half an egg).
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Set them 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Press down with your thumb to flatten each cookie slightly. Place an almond slice in the middle of each cookie.
4. Combine the other half of the egg and ½ tbsp water to make a light egg wash glaze. Cover the tops of the cookies with the glaze using a basting brush. You can adjust the amount of glaze used on each cookie depending on how much almond cookie shine you want.
5. Bake in oven until the edges of the cookies are golden brown, about 15 to 18 minutes.

 

Note: They taste even better the second day because the almond flavor has set in.

 

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This new series was a lot of fun to read, and the mystery left me hanging until the end because I had no idea who the killer could be, and there were not a lot of suspects to choose from! I did not suspect the killer since no motive was ever really established until it was revealed.

Felicity is coming into her own in the bakery her mother owns. They are a magical family and everything her mom bakes is infused with joy. It took Felicity a while to find her grove, but she finally does with fortune cookies. I thought it was neat that she could write fortunes specifically for a person. It takes her some time to uncover how to do it and control it.

I really liked her best friend, Kelvin, and her godmother, Alma. These are two characters that add character to the story. Kelvin is her partner in crime, and they find themselves in some sticky situations. There is even a bunny that appears, Whiskers, that might have magical abilities too. Only time will tell.

Not everything is smooth sailing for Felicity and her mom. Certain situations put them in a bit of a pickle. It causes a few hiccups for the bakery. Luckily, all works out in time.

I think this could be a good series, I look forward to reading more and depth added for the characters with more background.

We give this 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jennifer J. Chow writes cozies with heart, humor, and heritage. Her newest series is the L.A. Night Market Mysteries. The first book, Death By Bubble Tea, was nominated for both an Agatha Award (Best Contemporary Novel) and a Lefty Award (Best Humorous Mystery). It hit the SoCal Indie Bestseller List multiple times and was one Aunt Agatha’s Best of Cozies 2022, Kings River Life Staff Favorites of 2022, and one of the 2022 Bestsellers at Bel Canto Books. It’s been featured in Book Riot, BookBub, Bustle, CrimeReads, Goodreads, and Mystery Scene Magazine. The New York Times Book Review said of the novel: “Yale and Celine’s growing loyalty to each other, coupled with the warmth of Chow’s prose, adds extra depth, just like the tapioca balls nestled in a glass of bubble tea.” Jennifer currently serves as President on the board of Sisters in Crime and regularly blogs at chicksonthecase.com. She is also an active member of Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * BookBub

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

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A Crust to Die For (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Severn House (January 2, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages

 

Synopsis

 

The Bon-Appetempting Pizza Bake-Off has the small town of Branson, Georgia buzzing. Not least its organizer, Southern Style’s food critic and blogger Tiffany Austin. But right before the finals one of the celebrity judges falls ill, and to Tiffany’s horror the magazine replaces him with none other than handsome TV star and restaurateur Bartholomew Driscoll.

Tiffany once gave his restaurant a poor review, and she’s convinced he’s only accepted the job to get revenge. She fully expects Driscoll will find a way to ruin the contest . . . but she definitely doesn’t expect to trip over his dead body backstage!

Soon, it’s clear Tiffany wasn’t the only person who had less than positive feelings towards the sharp-tongued Driscoll. She’s surrounded by suspects – but which of the motley crew of contestants, family members and scorned friends and colleagues had the guts to commit murder?

With the help of her BFF Hilary and annoyingly handsome detective Bartell, and with cat Lily and puppy Cooper as emotional support, Tiffany investigates, only to discover that revenge is indeed a dish best served cold . . .

 

 

Amazon * B&N

 

 

Guest Post & Recipe

 

Hello Folks!  I’m T.C.LoTempio, author of the Nick and Nora mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, and most recently, the Tiffany Austin Food blogger mysteries!

In A CRUST TO DIE FOR, Tiffany’s latest adventure (out January 2!)  Tiffany emcees a pizza baking contest. And who doesn’t love pizza, right? Below are two of Tiffany’s favorite pizza recipes! We hope they will be yours too!

 

Cheesy Easy bake Pizza

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar (can substitute honey

½ cup warm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup sliced onion

2 bell peppers, cut thin

16 oz mozzarella cheese, grated

2 cups tomato sauce

Toppings of your choice

 

Directions:

Prepare crust: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar or honey in warm water, then add the olive oil and the salt.

In a separate bowl, mix flours together. Add them to liquid mixture, stirring first and then kneading to incorporate. Let dough rise 30-40 minutes. While dough is rising, saute sliced onions in a pan over medium heat with a little olive oil to caramelize their sugars. Cook until transparent but not browned. Reduce heat, add a little water to prevent browning, and let cook another 10 to 15 minutes until glossy and sweet. Add sliced peppers and cook 5-10 more minutes.

Once dough has risen, preheat oven to 425°. Divide dough in half. On clean, floured surface, roll out two round, 12 in. pizza crusts, using fingers to roll the perimeter into an outer crust edge as thick as you like. Using a spatula, slide crusts onto well-floured pans or baking stones. If using fresh tomatoes, layer cheese evenly over crust, then scatter your favorite toppings on top, finishing with the herbs. If using tomato sauce, spread over crust, top with cheese and then other toppings.

Bake pizzas in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is brown and crisp.

Note:  You can substitute pre-made pizza dough if you prefer.

 

 

Ricotta Pizza

Ingredients:

Pizza dough (you can either make your own as per first recipe, or get the pre-made at your grocery store)

Ricotta cheese

Mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

(Quantity depends on how cheesy you want pizza)

Fresh basil

Salt

Pepper

Minced garlic

 

Directions:

Layer the ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese on the pizza dough.  Sprinkle Parmesan over top.  Add salt, pepper, and minced garlic.  Bake in preheated oven until crust is brown and crisp.  Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

 

 

About the Author

 

T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora mystery series. Her cat, Rocco, provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat. She also writes the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery Series, as well as the Cat Rescue series. Her latest series is the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series from Severn House.

 

ROCCO’s blog * Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

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Knitmare on Beech Street (A Knit & Nibble Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
10th in Series 
Setting – Charming fictional town of Arborville, in northern New Jersey
Kensington Cozies (November 28, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Knit and Nibble member Pamela Paterson, and her best friend, Bettina, stumble on a body in a once grand Victorian house when they join a group welcoming new residents to Arborville—and must figure out if old secrets killed the new neighbor . . .

When Pamela, Bettina, and their friends show up at the Voorhees House to greet its new owner, they’re met with a most unwelcome sight: a dead body on the kitchen floor. Tassie Hunt just inherited the old Victorian, which had been occupied by a reclusive widow for many years and had a reputation for being haunted. But Tassie would have been unlikely to be spooked since her career involved debunking such paranormal phenomena.

Her demise sets off a new flurry of gossip and ghostly speculation in the New Jersey town, of course—and it’s tempting to think spirits were indeed involved considering there’s zero evidence so far of foul play. A nosy neighbor reports strange lights and sounds, and a man obsessed with the Victorian era starts photographing the place from the street. But it won’t take long before Pamela and Bettina are moving in on a killer . . .

 

 

 

Amazon *  Barnes & Noble * Bookshop.org * Kobo

 

 

Excerpt

 

Pamela led the way down the steps, down the narrow concrete path, and along the sidewalk, until they reached another concrete path. From this path, steps led up to another porch, smaller and with a plainer railing, onto which the back door opened.

Saying “I’ll try again,” Marlene hefted the gift basket and headed up the steps. As she pressed the doorbell, the rest of the group joined her on the porch one by one.

Marlene turned away after a few minutes and much enthusiastic pressing of the doorbell. “No answer,” she murmured. “And I was sure ANGWY was clear about the date and time.”

She shrugged, edged past the others, and started down the steps. Bettina, however, stepped closer to the door and tipped her head to peer at the doorframe. “I’m not sure it’s closed all the way,” she said and gave the

door a tentative push.

The door swung open easily. After a shrug and a glance at the other women, Bettina raised a stylishly shod foot and stepped over the threshold.

“Tassie?” Her voice rang out with a cheerful lilt. “Hello? It’s the ANGWY committee.”

She disappeared inside, but a moment later she was back in the doorway. Her cheer had vanished, leaving her face a wan canvas that made her careful makeup appear garish.

Ignoring her heart’s sudden lurch, Pamela took a few quick steps and joined her friend in the doorway. Bettina backed up against the door, anchoring it in a fully open position, and Pamela slipped past her into the kitchen.

A woman lay sprawled on the ancient linoleum, a slender blonde woman wearing a light cotton robe printed with small flowers in shades of blue and lilac . . .

 

 

Guest Post & Recipe

 

Lemon Icebox Cake

 

In Knitmare on Beech Street, Karen Dowling serves Lemon Icebox Cake when she hosts the Knit and Nibble knitting club. It’s a summery dessert that suits the book’s June setting. Nell Bascomb, the group’s oldest member, recalls that her mother grew up in a household where, before the invention of modern refrigerators, perishables were kept cold in a literal icebox, with blocks of ice delivered by an iceman. The icebox backed up against an outside wall with a little door in it, and a card in the window notified the iceman when ice was needed and how much.

She also notes that in an era before air conditioning, people would be reluctant to heat up their huge stoves, and thus their kitchens, in the summer—but, then as now, people still liked their desserts. Thus was born the icebox cake, though the early icebox cakes would be merely chilled and not frozen.

I hope you like this one!

 

 

Ingredients:

 

6 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 cups heavy cream

3 lemons

1 11-oz box vanilla wafer cookies

1 cup lemon curd

1 heaping tbsp. granulated sugar

 

Notes: You are only using the peel of the lemons. You can save the peeled lemons in a plastic bag for another project or juice them and freeze the juice.

Lemon curd comes in a jar and looks like jelly, but I found mine in the Baking aisle at my supermarket.

 

Directions:

 

You will need an 8” x 12” (or thereabouts) baking dish (though you won’t be baking your creation).

You will be creating three layers with the cookies. I’m not sure whether boxes of vanilla wafers always contain exactly the same number of cookies, but the box I bought contained 80. I used 28 for my bottom layer and 26 for each of the other two layers.

Zest 2 of the lemons and set the zest aside.

 

 

In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.

 

 

Add the heavy cream and beat until soft peaks form.

 

 

Fold in the lemon zest.

In order to prevent the cookies from sliding around as you begin to assemble the icebox cake, spread a bit of the cream cheese mixture on the bottom of your baking dish. Top it with a layer of the cookies.

 

 

Top the cookies with about a third of the cream cheese mixture, using a table knife or rubber spatula to spread it evenly.

 

 

 

Smooth 1/2 cup of the lemon curd over the cream cheese layer.

 

 

Layer more cookies, cream cheese mixture, and another 1/2 cup of lemon curd. Finish with a last layer of cookies and the last third of the cream cheese mixture.

 

 

Cover the icebox cake with plastic wrap or foil and freeze it for at least 3 hours. Transfer it to the refrigerator an hour before you plan to serve it, or let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes—though it’s also good straight from the freezer.

Make candied lemon peel for garnish:

Using a vegetable peeler, remove long strips of lemon from the third lemon.

 

 

Heat 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan, add the granulated sugar and stir until it dissolves, then add the strips of lemon peel. Boil for about 1 minute, cool, and refrigerate the peel and sugar syrup in a small container.

When it’s time to serve your lemon icebox cake, leave it in the baking dish to cut servings and lift them out with a spatula. Slice the lemon strips into narrow slivers and use them to garnish the servings.

 

 

Leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen if you want to keep them longer than a few days.

Enjoy with friends and family!

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor with a doctorate in Medieval Literature. Her Maxx Maxwell mysteries, Sweet Man Is Gone(2008) and Got No Friend Anyhow (2011), were published by Five Star/Gale/Cengage and feature a blues-singer sleuth.

Peggy is currently writing the Knit & Nibble mysteries for Kensington Books. Her amateur sleuth, Pamela Paterson, is the founder and mainstay of the Arborville, New Jersey, knitting club, nicknamed Knit and Nibble. Knitmare on Beech Street is book #10 in the series. Peggy herself is an avid crafter, dating from her childhood as a member of the 4-H Club in rural Southern California.

Peggy is a longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She regularly attends mystery-writing conferences and participates in conference panels. She also gives talks on mystery fiction at libraries and other venues in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

 

Website * Yarn Mania Blog * Goodreads Blog

 

 

Giveaway

 

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Murder in Trastevere: A Roman Holiday Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Rome, Italy
Level Best Books (May 18, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 286 pages

 

Synopsis

 

After a decade dominating the expat scene in Rome, Faye Masters has had enough beautiful art, delicious food, and bureaucratic nonsense to last a lifetime. She’s just about decided to pack up and head home when a rival drops dead at one of Faye’s famous cocktail parties. Rumors fly that Faye was the intended target, but the police think Faye might just be an attention-seeking poisoner.

Faye refuses to let the cloud of suspicion stop her from completing a self-imposed 25-picture Caravaggio Challenge. Or keep her from assisting friends Maggie White and Thomas Evans on their painting tours of Rome. But when the leads fizzle out and a series of accidents hit close to home, Faye accepts her own life is on the line. She must search for a killer while keeping up appearances at some of Rome’s most iconic sights.

 

 

Amazon * B&N

 

 

Recipe

 

Faye Masters’ Zabaglione Cream with Fresh Strawberries

 

By Jen Collins Moore

 

 

I love Italian food, especially the desserts. One of the simplest and most delicious is Zabaglione cream. It’s a sweet, foamy custard whipped up from egg yolks, sugar, marsala wine, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. It’s light and rich and totally delicious. In Murder in Trastevere, my detective, Faye Masters, whips up a batch while talking with a suspect, and editing that section always makes me hungry! My readers, too. It’s the recipe they ask for the most. It’s so simple everyone should give it a try.

 

 

 

Ingredients for Four Servings

 

• 16 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced*
• 4 egg yolks
• ¼ cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp to 5 Tbsp Marsala wine
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

 

Instructions

 

1. Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat.
2. Combine the egg yolks and sugar in a large heatproof bowl. (Choose one that’s large enough to sit comfortably over the saucepan of water without actually touching the water.) Whisk everything off the heat for four to five minutes until the mixture turns a pale yellow. Faye uses a whisk and lots of arm power. I use a hand mixer on high speed.
3. Add the remaining ingredients, using a smaller amount of wine if you don’t love the flavor of alcohol and larger if you prefer a boozier flavor, and whisk. Put the bowl over the simmering water and whisk constantly (or use a hand blender) until the mixture turns into a thick, frothy custard, about four to six minutes. Check to see that it’s reached 140 degrees, then remove from the heat.
4. Transfer most of the strawberries to a serving bowl or individual dishes and pour the Zabaglione over top. Arrange the few remaining strawberries over top.
5. Enjoy warm or serve chilled. It’s delicious either way.

 

* In the winter, Italians enjoy this cream with cookies or over panettone. It’s versatile, so let your creative juices flow!

 

 

 

Photos by Jen Collins Moore

 

 

About the Author

 

Jen Collins Moore transports readers to Rome in the Roman Holiday Mysteries. Her short fiction has appeared in Mystery Weekly and Masthead: The Best New England Crime Stories. She is president of Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and a founding member of Sleuths and Sidekicks. A transplanted New Englander, she lives in Chicago with her husband and two boys.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

Win a Taste of Italy Gift Basket.

Review my newest book, Murder in Trastevere, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads for a chance to win a Taste of Italy gift basket.

Just click “I Reviewed It!” at https://www.jennifercollinsmoore.com/.

Want to enter the contest and not write a review?

No problem. Just email me here.

US Only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Sour Note (A Music Box Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Hampton Beach, NH
Wild Rose Press (June 26, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 250 pages

 

Synopsis

 

On the heels of a public, broken engagement, Maeve Cleary returns to her childhood home in Hampton Beach, NH. When a dead body turns up behind her mother’s music school, three old friends land on the suspect list. Licking her wounds soon takes a back seat to outrunning the paparazzi who spin into a frenzy, casting her in a cloud of suspicion. Maeve juggles her high school sweetheart, a cousin with a touch of clairvoyance, a no-nonsense detective, and an apologetic, two-timing ex-fiancé. Will the negative publicity impact business at the Music Box— the very place she’d hoped to make a fresh start?

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Apple * Google

 

Kobo * BAM * Walmart * Bookshop

 

 

 

Recipe

 

I’m a sucker for banana bread and even more in love if chocolate is involved. This recipe from the author combines two of my favorite things into one.

 

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

 

 

Ingredients:

3-4 Ripe, Mashed Bananas

1 Stick Softened Butter

2 Large Eggs

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

½ Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Baking Soda

1 ½ Tsp Baking Powder

2 Tsp Vanilla

1 Cup Semi-Sweetened Chocolate Chips

 

Steps:

 

Mix all ingredients together (except chocolate chips)

Stir in chocolate chips

Bake uncovered for 1 hour in loaf pan

Toothpick should come out almost clean when finished

Cool 10 minutes and move to wire rack for further cooling

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jill Piscitello is a teacher, author, and an avid fan of multiple literary genres. Although she divides her reading hours among several books at a time, a lighthearted story offering an escape from the real world can always be found on her nightstand.

A native of New England, Jill lives with her family and three well-loved cats. When not planning lessons or reading and writing, she can be found spending time with her family, trying out new restaurants, traveling, and going on light hikes.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

Instagram * Goodreads * BookBub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From James Beard Award–winning chef and author John Ash, The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood takes a comprehensive dive into the world of cooking shellfish, crustaceans, finned fish, and many more.

Featuring favorites from the kitchens of Hog Island Oyster Bars and other talented chefs who have embraced the company’s sustainability ethos, this authoritative compendium showcases over 250 dishes from cuisines around the world, including regional favorites like San Francisco cioppino, Southern crayfish étouffée, and New England clam chowder. Presenting a wide variety of cooking methods—such as steaming, roasting, grilling, pan-frying, curing—along with illustrated techniques like shucking oysters, opening clams, and filleting fish, this comprehensive cookbook will guide you through the basics of seafood preparation. And the extensive list of sauces, butters, and seasonings will help you turn your choice of seafood into a stellar dish. The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood is a master class from an award-winning chef who shows home and professional cooks how to bring culinary gifts from the water to the table at their peak of perfection.

 

 

Amazon * Abrams * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

My thoughts

 

I will state right off that I do not eat seafood. I have never gotten the taste of it. However, I have several in my home that do eat seafood, so I am always trying to find new recipes that they will enjoy or even have the meat swapped out for chicken or pork.

I have scoured through the book and do love the layout. It is sorted by type of seafood, and each section includes how to clean or prepare for cooking, along with the recipes. So if you are looking for a crab or salmon dish, there is a whole section just waiting to be explored.

The recipes don’t seem to call for too outlandish ingredients. However, I did find one pizza recipe that had clams in the shell on it. That seemed a bit bizarre to me, but I’m sure it is a dish that many will enjoy. There is a salmon recipe with a seared corn sauce that I bet would taste good on chicken too.

If you enjoy all kinds of seafood, I think this is a cookbook you would enjoy!

Now for a recipe from the book.

 

Grilled Tilapia with Herb Sabayon

 

1 c dry white wine
1/2 c minced shallots
1 tsp white wine vinegar
4 large egg yolks
3 T water
2 T finely chopped fresh tarragon
fine sea salt and freshly ground white pepper
Four 7-8 oz tilapia fillets
2 T canola oil
Fresh tarragon sprigs, for garnish

 

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. Brush the grill grates clean.

In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the wine, shallots, and the vinegar. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until the liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about six minutes. Remove from the heat. Use now, or set aside for up to 4 hours.

In a medium metal bowl, whisk the egg yolks and water together. Set the bowl over a saucepan with about 4 inches of barely simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water. Whisk constantly until the mixture is light and foamy, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the reserved wine reduction and the chopped tarragon and whisk constantly until the mixture is thick and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and keep warm over the hot water in the saucepan.

Brush the fish with oil and sprinkle generously with salt and upper. Place on the grill and cook until slightly charred and just barely opaque in the center, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to warm plates, spoon the warm sabayon over the fish, garnish with tarragon sprigs, and serve immediately.

Serves 4

 

 

Oaxaca authors Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral are back with the first major cookbook about how to create asada—Mexican-style grilled meat—at home
In millions of backyards across Southern California, an asada means a gathering of family, friends, great music, cold drinks, good times, and community—all centered around the primal allure of juicy, smoky grilled meat with flavors and spices traditional to Mexico. The smell of asada is a cloud of joy that lingers in the streets of Los Angeles. With The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling , Mexican food authorities and the authors of Oaxaca , Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral, are back with more than 100 recipes that show you how to prepare the right dishes and drinks for your next carne asada gathering. Asada will both guide you in crafting mouthwatering food and inspire the right laidback atmosphere.

Everyone says they love a spicy margarita and asada tacos, but very few understand the culture that informs these flavors. Divided into the eight crucial elements of any carne botanas (appetizers), carnes (meats), mariscos (seafood), side dishes and vegetables, salsas, aguas frescas, cocktails, and dessert, Asada walks you through every step. From Lopez’s secret “michelada marinade” to game-changing salsas that will elevate any grilled meat, this cookbook is the ultimate guide to making and beginning to understand the magic of asada.

 

 

Amazon * Abrams * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

 

Carne Asada is not just a taco.

 

This is the first line in the book, and after reading through this cookbook, I have to agree. This technique and set of flavors set it apart from other dishes. Living in Texas, this is something I take for granted, but I am happy to have this cookbook to give it a whirl myself.

The book is laid out in an easy to read fashion and includes an ingredient list – items you will use a lot in preparing these dishes. There is everything from the main dish to sides to sauces/salsas. You will even find beverages and desserts, the perfect book to create an entire meal for your family and friends or even just yourself. If you are adventurous enough, you can make your own tortillas. The recipe is simple; it just takes time.

Asada can be anything from beef to pork to seafood. There is no end to the options. This book also includes everything from a classic Asada to more exotic ones.

I can’t wait to try all of these. I think my husband will be thrilled.

This is the recipe I’m going to share with you, it is similar to a chimichurri sauce.

 

Arrachera Verde

 

1 c loosely packed fresh basil (leaves and tender stems)
1/2 c loosely packed fresh mint (leaves and tender stems)
1/2 c loosely packed fresh parsley (leaves and tender stems)
1/4 c fresh oregano leaves
2 Fresno chiles
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
Zest and juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 c olive oil
1 tsp citrus vinegar
2 Tbsp sea salt
2 lbs flap steak

 

In a food processor, add the basil, mint, parsley, oregano, chiles, garlic, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Pulse until a smooth paste forms.

Pat the steak dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl. Rub the paste mixture all over the meat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Remove the meat from the refrigerator to allow it to reach room temperature before grilling, if possible.

Start a charcoal or gas grill. The gas should be set to high. If using a pellet grill, preheat your grill to 450 degrees for at least 15 minutes. If using charcoal, the coals should be red but entirely covered with grey ash.

Remove the meat from the marinade and put it on the grill directly over the fire. Close the lid and cook, turning once, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Transfer the meat to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.

Slice the meat against the grain. Serve with warm tortillas and salsa.

 

 

Become a faster, healthier cook with secrets from Weelicious founder and meal prep genius Catherine McCord

With celebrated cookbook author and Weelicious founder Catherine McCord’s step-by-step process, your kitchen will be beautifully organized and fast, healthy family meals will be at your fingertips—starting with 100 of her favorite recipes. McCord believes that success in the kitchen comes down to two things—organization and meal prep—and she’ll show you how to master both in Meal Prep Magic .

One step beyond the ideological approach of Marie Kondo and The Home Edit , McCord brings you a practical guide to organizing the most important space in your home and using it. If you’ve ever lost leftovers to the back of the fridge, failed to find a spice that you know you bought, or faced a cabinet full of mismatched Tupperware, her advice will forever change your relationship to your kitchen.

After showing how to maximize your space for efficiency, McCord offers up her favorite family recipes. Including tried-and-tested secrets for saving time, these recipes are easy to prep ahead, make entirely ahead, contain basic ingredients that are always in your pantry, and/or strategically employ your freezer, air-fryer, Instant Pot, slow cooker, and more. Think grab-and-go breakfasts like Raspberry Creamy Chia Puddings, creative packed lunches including easy-to-assemble Salad Jars, healthy snacks like air-fryer crispy artichokes, and irresistible dinners that are even better leftover, such as lemony chicken thighs with lots of herbs.

By following McCord’s simple strategies for meal prepping, you’ll always have food on-hand to enjoy throughout your busy week, limiting your trips to the grocery store and time spent in the kitchen. Eat healthy meals you love, while saving time, money, and your sanity. Never again stress out about what to make for dinner! Meal Prep Magic is a lifesaver for any and all home cooks, busy parents, and fans of Weelicious and McCord’s popular book Smoothie Project .

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Abrams Books * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

I love to cook, and discovering new authors, recipes, techniques, and other helpful hints really goes a long way to improving my skills.

This book is good for a beginner cook since it starts with organizing your kitchen, purging what you don’t need (perhaps those old spices from lord knows when), to what staples you need to keep on hand.

The recipes included are a wide variety and range from simple to a little more complex. The dishes also range from breakfast items to dinner, with dessert thrown in as well. I think that almost anyone could master these dishes with a little practice and utilizing the tips she shares.

I have to admit that one tip, clean as you go, is a wise one. This way, there isn’t a sink full of dishes at the end of the evening.

One recipe I would like to try soon is the Cheesy Brown Rice Cakes. There are a few ingredients and looks to be one of the simpler recipes in the book.

 

 

Cheesy Brown Rice Cakes

 

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice (or any type of leftover rice)
2 large eggs, whisked
1/2 c grated mozzarella, cheddar, Gruyere or provolone cheese
1/4 tsp kosher salt
Olive, canola, avocado, or vegetable oil

 

Place the rice, eggs, cheese, and salt in a bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a thin layer of oil. Using an ice cream scoop or 1/4 c measuring cup, scoop four portions of the rice mixture and place them in the skillet with space between them. Use a spatula to gently press down into a 1-inch thick patty. Cook for 4 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy on both sides.

*For sweet rice cakes, omit the cheese and add 2 tablespoons brown or coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Cook as directed and top with maple syrup and fresh fruit to serve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cafe au Slay: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Orchard Hollow) 
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Cauldron Press (April 24, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Piper Addison is not a normal witch. If she’s even a witch at all…

Life after the big four-oh isn’t so bad. Piper Addison, resident witch and coffee shop owner, finally found her groove. Business is flourishing, her ghost familiar is miraculously supportive, and she might even have a date for the weekend.

There’s only one small catch… A dead body puts Piper in an impossible situation.

Orchard Hollow’s biggest secret is about to be revealed, and Piper might be the only one who can save the town’s paranormal residents. If only she can get a handle on her strange magic.

If that wasn’t enough, the town sheriff trusts Piper to solve the case. Can she help catch the killer before the whole world finds out about magic?

Cafe au Slay is a paranormal cozy mystery, complete with an unlucky witch, a ghost familiar, and a feisty raccoon with a talent for getting into sticky situations.

 

 

Amazon

 

Available to read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Drink Recipe

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 tsp Matcha powder
Oat milk (amount depends on how much you want to drink!)
Maple syrup or vanilla extract
1/3 c Hot water
Milk frother

 

Instructions:

 

1. Pour 1 teaspoon matcha powder into a bowl.
2. Add 1/3 cup of hot water and froth until smooth.
3. Add Maple syrup (or vanilla extract) to taste. Stir until it dissolves.
4. Warm oat milk on a stovetop or using an espresso machine steamer. Pour into a cup.
5. Add matcha mixture over top and froth until smooth and frothy.
6. Enjoy!

 

 

About the Author

 

A.N. Sage is a bestselling, award-winning author of young adult fantasy and mystery. She has spent most of her life waiting to meet a witch, vampire, or at least get haunted by a ghost. In between failed seances and many questionable outfit choices, she has developed a keen eye for the extra-ordinary.

A.N. spends her free time reading and binge-watching television shows in her pajamas. Currently, she resides in Toronto, Canada with her husband who is not a creature of the night and their daughter who just might be.

A.N. Sage is a Scorpio and a massive advocate of leggings for pants.

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook * YouTube * TikTok

 

 

Giveaway

 

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Murder Served Neat (A Cocktails and Catering Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Texas
Crooked Lane Books (February 21, 2023)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Reporter-turned-mixologist Samantha Warren has already thwarted one murder. Now, her world is shaken—definitely not stirred—once again as another killing throws her world into chaos.

Samantha is mixing up traditional cocktails at the German Texan Lodge’s Fourth of July festival—a gig she was roped into by her mother. But amidst the bratwurst and brass bands, trouble is brewing. Lodge loyalties are divided over a proposal to build a private, country-club-style tennis center on the lodge grounds. Her mom’s best friend Patty Davis is vehemently opposed to the plan. Society matron Angela Clawson is all for it. At the festival, they’re seen in a heated argument—and hours later, Angela is found dead, killed by one of the ceremonial shovels intended for the groundbreaking.

Samantha’s mother begs her to help clear her best friend’s name, but can she handle another murder case or will the whole investigation go bottoms up?

 

 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * IndieBound

 

 

Recipe

 

At the beginning of Murder Served Neat, Samantha Warren is trying to attract new customers for her Cocktails & Catering business by serving a special Fourth-of-July-themed cocktail at the German Texan Lodge’s Fourth of July Festival. But amid the brisket and brass bands, trouble is brewing as a fight between two feuding lodge members spills out into the public and results in murder.

 

Samantha’s Sparkler Cocktail

 

2 oz white aged rum

½ oz Blue Curacao

Handful of mint leaves

1 oz lime juice

¼ oz simple syrup

5 dashes Angostura Bitters

5 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Crushed ice

 

Add Blue Curacao to the bottom of a tall, skinny Collins glass.

Fill glass with crushed ice.

In shaker filled with ice, shake together rum, lime juice, mint leaves and simple syrup until well blended.

Gently pour mixture over the crushed ice, being careful to avoid mixing layers.

Dash 5 dashes of each Angostura and Peychauds bitters on top.

Garnish with a mint sprig.

 

 

About the Author

 

Michelle Hillen Klump began her writing career as a newspaper reporter, traveling the back roads of central Texas and Arkansas, reporting on everything from natural disasters to crime and corruption. She’s interviewed former presidents, covered a midnight manhunt through the Ozark Mountains, and learned the finer points of how to break a car window from a looter while covering a hurricane. Now, she uses her experiences as fodder for fiction, writing a cozy mystery series about a former reporter turned craft cocktail caterer.

Michelle lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and young daughter. When she’s not writing or working her day job, she enjoys gardening, reading, exploring Houston’s neighborhoods, hiking and biking, and creating craft cocktails for friends and family.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Instagram

 

 

Giveaway

 

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