Monday, September 5, 2011

Dead Man's Bones


 Happy Labor Day!

I hope the weather has been better where you are. In Virginia it's muggy and wet -- not the best weather for the last weekend of the summer.


Tomorrow is the official release day of THE DIVA HAUNTS THE HOUSE.  It's been spotted in stores all over already, though!  Our own Cleo Coyle was a sweetheart to take this photo at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square.


In addition, the reviews have begun to roll in.  Lesa Holstine blew me away with "I don't know when the last time was that I read a mystery that was as much fun as Krista Davis' fifth Diva book, The Diva Haunts the House."

And Kat at The Season for Romance said, This book fires on all cylinders.  The mystery is clever, the plot has more twists and turns than a funhouse maze, and the sense of atmosphere is so strong you can practically smell the wood smoke and hear the dead leaves rattling in the street."

I'm swooning and light-headed in the face of such praise! Thanks Lesa and Kat!

So, to celebrate the release, I'm sharing one of the recipes in the book -- Dead Man's Bones.  It has been a favorite in my family for as long as I can remember.  Don't think it's only a Halloween dish!  Around here, it's often the dish that's requested for birthdays and other special celebrations.

It's great on the grill in the summer, and delicious made in the oven in the fall and winter.  It must be eaten with hands so don't make this for that all important first date!

Can you believe it?  There are only four ingredients, and they're an unlikely combination at that.



 


1 slab baby back pork ribs
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup soy sauce


Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Line a shallow roasting pan with aluminum foil (makes for much easier cleanup!).


Lay the baby back ribs on it, meat side up, and roast in oven for 20 minutes.


Meanwhile, mix the garlic, apricot preserves, and soy sauce in a small bowl.

Remove the ribs, flip bone side up, and slather with half the sauce.  Roast 15 minutes.


Remove ribs, flip meat side up, and baste with remaining sauce. Roast another 15 minutes and they should be done.  When done, they will tear apart easily between the bones.


Slice into two-bone portions and serve.

[When I make this on the grill, I find they usually take less time.  Follow the basic instructions above, but only turn the meat once.  Start with the ribs meat side down and baste the bone side immediately.  Turn meat side up after 20 minutes and baste the top.]










24 comments:

  1. Since my partner insists on a Kosher house. I'll be using this on veal ribs, the kind with the pocket you'd normally stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats on another winner, Krista! The reviews are spook-tacular (grin), the sales stellar, and that recipe a must-make. I'll be digging into my copy this week. With Halloween one of my favorite holidays, I know it's going to be a real treat!

    I have to ask (no kidding). Late at night, while writing this one, did you ever give yourself a scare?

    ~ Cleo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Best wishes for success of The Diva Haunts the House.

    Lesa's reviews are spot on, so praise from her counts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats on your upcoming release. I'm going to try the recipe using chicken. The ribs look good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can't wait to read it! At the bookstore where my daughter works, the new arrivals sometimes sit in a shopping cart in the back somewhere until someone finds the time to set them out. I make her go hunting for them--and to guilt-trip a staffer to put them where they belong!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds and looks yummy. Can't wait to try it and also, to read your latest book. I love the series.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very excited about this one! Looking forward to a fun read as always.

    And the ribs look... killer!!!

    ;-)

    Dave

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nora, I don't think I have ever eaten veal ribs. Let me know how it turns out!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  9. LOL, Cleo. I believe you've given yourself a scare! I had a little moment when I heard a voice in my house. I knew where it came from, but it took me quite a while to figure out what triggered it. No spoilers! You'll recognize the event toward the end of the book.

    However, I was once writing (not this book) and heard noises upstairs in the attic. Let me tell you, my heart was pounding. The dogs, however, seemed quite unconcerned. Turned out to be something hitting a window -- no biggie but it certainly spooked me!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  10. Krista, I kid you not, ribs are on the menu tonight. I'm going to get these extra ingredients for the sauce. Yum!

    Congrats on the great review. I'm going to FB the picture from Cleo. What fun to see your book face out. It's such a delightful read. I'm sharing a bunch with family and friends! Enjoy the fright...I mean, ride.

    ~Avery

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, Liz V. Lesa's review was so lovely. I was thrilled!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dru, I don't know how it will taste on chicken. The book does have a recipe for Scaryaki Chicken in the back that we enjoyed a lot. Let me know how it went if you try it on chicken!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sheila, we need you at every book store! Thank your sweet daughter for me.

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks, Erika and Dave! Hope you love the ribs and the book!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks so much, Avery. I hope your family and friends enjoy the book! Hope you're having decent weather in CA, too. It's *pouring* here!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds delish but the recipe's name made me think of former residents of an orphanage (not pc, but that's what it was--the people are now in their 80s). They told about having "bone soup"--just water and boiled bones.

    ReplyDelete
  17. These ribs look soooo good. Thanks for the recipe. I'll be picking up my copy of Diva Haunts a House tomorrow at B&N. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Can't wait to read "The Diva Haunts the House!" Congratulations on the wonderful reviews! And thanks for this delicious recipe from the book, too. :) Hurray for ribs!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, Judy! How very sad. Much more fun in the context of Halloween.

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  20. Pattie, the ribs are as good as they look! Hope you enjoy the book!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks, Elizabeth! I was delighted with the reviews!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  22. Krista, I love your books and I'm going to love these bones too!

    Congrats on the wonderful reaction on your new release. Can't wait to read it.

    ReplyDelete