Sunday, January 20, 2013

Comment to win MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT: The New Clueless Cook Mystery from Liz Lipperman



Please welcome author Liz Lipperman to the Kitchen! Liz writes a delightful series of cozies called The Clueless Cook Mysteries, and she's hosting a contest for us today. 

Answer her question (below the recipe) by leaving a comment, and you will be entered in the giveaway of her new release, MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT. It's a terrific read, and she'll tell you more about it. Now here's Liz...


~ Cleo


I’m beginning to feel like a regular on Mystery Lovers Kitchen, thanks to Cleo Coyle and the wonderful writers here who invite me back every time I have a new release. 

Yep! It’s that time again, and MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT is the third book of the Clueless Cook series. So far it’s getting great reviews — knock on wood. 

As usual, I’ve included ten recipes from the story in the back of the book. One of the subplots centers around an entrepreneur judging the Caribbean Cook-off with my girl, Jordan. The character has made his fortune selling alcoholic desserts, such as Kahlúa Brownies and Crème de Cocoa Peanut Butter Fudge

I thought about posting one of these recipes, but decided on a personal favorite of mine — King Ranch Chicken (or Pollo de la Hacienda del Rey to the good people of Ranchero, Texas).


The gist of the series is that my girl, who can’t cook a lick, ends up as the culinary reporter for the local newspaper. She and her gang of misfits from the apartment building have concocted a scheme where she uses a casserole recipe in her column, slaps on a fancy name, and passes it off as a gourmet dish. 

But no matter what she calls it, King Ranch Chicken is yummy and will satisfy any spicy craving you may have. There’s also a recipe in the book for Grilled Halibut Caribbean Style with Pineapple and Mango Salsa, plucked right from the personal files of Chef Maciek Kucharewic. He was one of the wonderful chefs on board the Celebrity Caribbean cruise I took for research (yeah, right!!) who helped me plot this murder. But like Jordan, I don’t eat much fish and have never made it. If any of you would like to have the recipe, send me your email address and I’ll get it to you. 

But before the recipe, 
here’s a little teaser for...



MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT

A sports writing job would have been the perfect catch for Jordan McAllister, but in Ranchero, Texas, all she could reel in was the food column. Though she may not know her way around a kitchen, she has no trouble finding herself in a kettle of fish…

Tempted by the offer of a free Caribbean cruise, Jordan accepts a spot as a judge in a week-long big-time cooking competition aboard the Carnation Queen. She just better hope no one finds out that her famous palate is far from refined. 


But there are bigger fish to fry when arrogant chef Stefano Mancini falls face first into his signature halibut dish during the first event. While evidence suggests that the handsome Italian chef’s death was an accident, Jordan thinks otherwise. But she’ll have to keep her wits about her—and the sea sickness pills handy—if she’s going to solve this one… 




Read another excerpt by clicking here.

Hope that tickled your curiosity bone. 
Now, here’s the fabulous recipe
right out of my own personal recipe files. 

~ Liz



KING RANCH CHICKEN 
from Liz Lipperman


Ingredients:

12-13 soft corn tortillas

1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup chopped onion

½ teaspoon minced garlic

1 (16oz) container sliced mushrooms

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 (16oz) container FF sour cream

1 tablespoon flour

1 tablespoon corn starch

1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies

1 package (1.0 ounce) taco seasoning

3 cups diced, cooked chicken breast (approximately 3 large breasts

Non fat cooking spray

24 ounces of Colby/ Monterey Jack cheese mixed


Directions: Preheat over to 350° F. Place the tortillas in the chicken broth for 10 minutes (Do not cook). In a large skillet sauté onion, garlic, mushrooms and green pepper in the butter. Add the sour cream, flour, and corn starch, heating until smooth and bubbly. Add the tomatoes, taco seasoning and the chicken and mix well. Spray a 9 x 11 casserole dish with a non-fat cooking spray. Cut the tortillas into 6 pieces each. Use ½ the tortillas, followed by ½ the chicken mix, and ½ the cheese mix. Salt and pepper each layer. Repeat, ending with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.



CLEO: That looks delicious, Liz, especially with all that bubbly melted cheese.

LIZ: Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I’ll be glad to send the recipes for the boozy desserts, too, if any of you want them—or you can just buy MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT and get them all at one time!! Shameless plug. Sorry. 


CLEO: Plug away, Liz. We love to hear about new releases in the Kitchen. Especially on Guest Post Sunday. 




LIZ: Anyway, since this is a blog about food and the book is about a cruise, I thought it would be fun to have you guys comment on the best thing you remember about the food onboard a cruise ship. 

For those of you who haven’t been fortunate enough to cruise yet, just tell me something fun/delicious/scary about food in general. Some lucky commenter will receive a copy of MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT from Berkley Prime Crime (US only at their request.) 




Thanks again, Liz! To find out more about
Liz and her books, 
visit her website
by clicking here.


Comment-to-Win Contest
will be open until
11:30 PM (Eastern time),
Monday evening, 1/21.


Winner announced
here Monday at 11:45 PM.

91 comments:

  1. The book sounds amazing, and the recipe sounds delicious! I have not been lucky enough to be on a cruise ship...but I'm hoping to do that soon! My best friend and I want to go on a cruise together. :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Brooke, I just saw an ad on TV last night that said cruises are 65% off right now. So, get your fiend and book one. You can get a 7 day cruise out of Galveston usually in Jan and Feb. for under $400 for a 7-day cruise. And they are well worth it. Just the food alone...

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  2. I loved trying new to me things. The food I want to taste but would never order (and pay for) because I didn't know if I'd like it! Oh, and on one of them, the cold (fruit) soup was so good I had it for dessert!

    oh great, now I'm hungry!

    I really enjoyed the first book, Liver Let Die, but haven't gotten the next two...yet :-) I'll need to buy book two if I win book three!

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    1. Book Dragon, that's the beauty of cruises. That's what's so amazing. I am more like my heroine than I like to admit, and won't try new stuff, either. I always get a wonderful waiter on board (You keep the same one the entire time,) and by the last few days, he knows he can talk me into anything with the promise of more desserts at the end.

      Here's hoping you only have to spring for one book!!

      Delete
  3. I think Chocolate desserts are delicious,...! I cant make them too much because Im tempted to eat the entire cake, or brownies, or cookies....( or pie.. )..lol.

    I have this series on my "to be read" list, and Im anxious to read them!

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    1. Thanks, Melissa. For some reason I'm not a big chocolate eater. (I know--am I female??) I prefer less rich desserts like Strawberry Shortcake and Mandarin Orange Cake (recipe in Liver Let Die.) But I have tried this fudge, and all I can say is OMG!!!I'm a huge peanut butter fan. I've had Kahlua bundt cake and the brownies are next on my to-try list. Thanks for commenting.

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  4. This book sounds great! I'm adding it to my " to read" list.

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    1. Maybe you'll win it, Erika!~! Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  5. That sounds delicious Liz, and so does the book! I love the cover--and I've spotted a familiar name on the front quote:). Hope your fans gobble this one up!

    ps I'm not entering the contest as I am one of the MLK family, but I will never forget the bread pudding with vanilla cream on top on the Windstar cruise we took...

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    1. Thanks, Lucy/Roberta. Yum! Now that's the kind of dessert I like. Not too rich. Or was it? I had my first taste of creme broulee on a cruise. OMG!!

      Delete
  6. I love your series and can't wait to see what Jordan and the gang are up too. Food is fun so sometimes on the weekend I like to play my own version of Chopped or Iron Chef. I go to the fridge and pantry and pull out whatever I happen to have an see what new dinner I can come up with. Sometimes the family is not thrilled with my efforts but occasionally I come up with a new meal that we would like to have again. At least I cleaned out the fridge a little in the process.

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    1. Susie, you're a woman after my heart. I like to go to a restaurant and order my favorite casserole, then bring home half of it in a doggy bag. (Yeah, like the dog is ever gonna get it!!) Anyway, I play with it until I come up with a recipe that's pretty darn close or better!! Chicken Stir Fry (In Halibut) is one such recipe, and there are a few more. Hope you'll try it.

      And BTW, if any of you want any of the recipes I talk about, just send your email address to liz@lizlipperman.com

      Delete
  7. The recipe sounds wonderful and so does the book. I've never been on a cruise, but long ago before I became a librarian I used to work for The Texas Restaurant Association. I enjoyed it whenever the local chapters would have their Taste of the Town events. There were so many wonderful foods to try.

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    1. Booklady, yum gotta love those Texas recipes. Most of the casseroles in my books have RoTels or something to spice them up. Thanks for commenting.

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  8. Can't wait to try your chicken dish. Looks so cheesy. Love cheese.
    My favorite food memories on the curise I took was you could find food 24-7. But the bread and ice sculptures on the midnight buffet were beautiful.

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    1. Ah, yes, I had forgotten about those. Like my heroine, I loved that hamburgers and chili dogs were available all day long. And like you said, room service 24/7 is free.

      Now you got me itching to go on another cruise.

      Delete
  9. Liz, I ache for you. The research you do for authenticity is simply amazing. Imagine going on a cruise just to do research. How you sacrifice for your readers. (Psst, next time, take me along!)

    Your chicken dish is beautiful. Bet everyone loves it, too.

    Cleo, I'm so sorry but while I remember some cruises, I don't remember any of the food!

    ~ Krista

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    1. It's a tough life, Krista, but someone has to do it............

      The readers here don't know that I took a Caribbean cruise last year and sat with 4 of the head chefs as we plotted this murder at a coffee shop. I don't even want to tell you about the horrified look on the other passengers who were having a nice Cappuccino moment and listening to us figure out how to kill a cruise passenger with food!!

      Delete
  10. I also am not a big fish fan, though I do like halibut. My favorite memories of cruise food were all the varied cream soups, but I haven't been on a cruise in almost 20 years so my tastes might have changed.

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    1. Another woman after my heart. I hate fish, unless it's battered and fried!! I am Catholic and grew up with fried fish sandwiches from the local beer joint on Fridays.

      And Sue, did you see my note about how cruises are severely discounted right now? Pack your bag and hop on a ship. I'll bet the cream soups have only gotten better.

      Delete
  11. Liz, sounds fun. This recipe is just like my mom's chicken tortilla recipe, one of my all-time favorites. Love all the melted cheese! Yum!

    Wishing smooth sailing with your new release!

    Best, Avery (aka Daryl)

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    Replies
    1. Did you grow up in a city with a large Hispanic population, Avery/Daryl? Here in Texas, I have access to some of the best Mexican food around. Matter of fact, I already have plans for book 6 in the Clueless Cook series to be Enchi-Lada Bodies and have all Mexican recipes in the back. Can you tell it's my favoitte kind of food?

      Thanks for the good wishes. Back atcha for your release next month.

      Delete
  12. I can't wait to read this book-and get the boozy recipes, although this chicken one sounds great. I don't like seafood, I always say the only thing I eat that swims in the sea is duck! I've never been on a cruise, although a friend of mine was an entertainer on a cruise ship for 2 years. What's scary about food in general?...The fact that I'm eating too much of the wrong things!

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    1. Katreader, did you know that the first book in this series, LIVER LET DIE, centers around duck??

      And I hear you about eating too much of the wrong things. I have decided that after trying all the fad diets known to man, I am simply trying to do portion control and eat healthier.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
    2. I couldn't believe Jordan didn't know about fois gras! Loved (and own)Liver Let Die! Look forward to reading this latest adventure.

      Delete
  13. I would love to start this series! And try the recipe!

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    1. Acemommy, what's holding you back?? The recipe is awesome and I love my characters.

      Fingers crossed you'll win your first book of mine today.

      Delete
  14. Cant wait to make that receipe my kid are going to love it. Love the title of the book. Cant wai to read it.

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    1. Kiki, Your kids will definitely love this one. And I hope you get to read the book, too. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  15. One thing about cruise food is on a couple of lines the chilled soups they have. Those can be so great! And the way they present them to you is fantastic.

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    1. I can't say I've ever tried chilled soup, Nancy. That will be something I look into if I ever get to go on another cruise. Thanks for comenting.

      Delete
  16. Replies
    1. Hey, lizardo. I used to be called Lizard Legs in high school. Wish I had those skinny gams now. Anyway, I hope you get a chance to read it. And thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  17. Sounds like a fun read and a good recipe. Thank you for the chance to win.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Hey, Angela, hope you get a chance to try them both. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  18. Toni N
    I lOVE all the fresh fruit and how it was displayed. The ice sculptures were amazing and fun to watch. All the food was great. Can't wait to start this series

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    Replies
    1. Toni, those were indeed amazing. And the fact that you can get ice cream any time you want is a big plus for me. And I can't wait to hear how you liked the series. Thanks.

      Delete
  19. I've never been on a cruise, but I have a feeling I would like the desserts best. Your recipe looks fabulous!

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    1. Tracy, I usually add more cheese than the recipe calls for because..well, I love cheese. It's the anti-eat-healthier ingredient at my house.

      And here's hoping you get a chance to go on a cruise...and take this book with you.

      Delete
  20. Recipe sounds wonderful. So do the books....Cleo writes well and her recipes are fantastic! Looking forward to the new author and the new series. As for cruises and food, I might be overly indulgent and not exercise enough to compensate. (Heck, I don't do that now.......:)

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    1. Rockinrev,, you can't go on a diet thinking you will stick to your diet or exercise routine. I always allow myself 5 pounds and then start working on it as soon as I get back. I love love love cruises.

      And thanks for your kind words.

      Delete
  21. I haven't been on a cruise as yet - our trip keeps getting postponed - but I do enjoy the fresh air restaurants and the great fish fresh from the Gulf of Mexico when we are in Port Aransas on Mustang Island. Can hardly wait to get back there again.

    This series is new to me and since I love food and/or drink-related cozies, I will be grabbing this one up as soon as possible.

    Thanks for the recipe - I'm going to check it out asap.

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    Replies
    1. A confession, Edie. My girl is the anti-finer foods kind of girl. When I was asked to write a "foodie," I nearly said no since most of the ones out there were about gourmet foods, wine, and coffee. Having grown up number eight of nine children, all we ever ate were casseroles. Then I decided what if my girl wasn't a fine food connoisseur and was thrust in a world where she had to pretend like she was?

      In one of the reviews for Halibut, a reviewer said she loved the series but it was time for Jordan to grow up and maybe go to cooking school. I laughed out loud and then realized she had given me the perfect comic relief for my next book. So, Jordan is off to cooking school!! You heard it first here.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  22. This looks so interesting... I went right to Amazon and bought it. I've been on several real-life cruises. Now I'm looking forward to enjoying a fictional one (since I'M not the victim!)

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    1. Jackie, I love you!! Hope you enjoy it. And maybe the fictional cruise will inspire you to take a real one.

      Delete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. Let's try this again. I am a nurse by profession and never really learned how to type!! Anyway, here it is again.

    Holy cow! This is what I get for sleeping in on Sunday and not going to church (Hubby is sick!!) Anyway, I'm going to try to answer all your comments, but first I want to say how much I love Cleo. When the very first book in this series came out, I really had no idea about cozies. My editor had read a mainstream mystery of mine and asked if I could write a cozy series. "Absolutely," I said to my agent. "What's a cozy?" So I had to learn quickly and do a lot of research reading, especially books by these wonderful authors at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. Anyway, I had seen Cleo on a loop, and out of the blue, I asked if she would read Liver Let Die and be honest about a review and/or a blurb. You all know how gracious she is and won't be surprised to hear that not only did she give me a wonderful blurb (that is on all three of the Berkley books) but she also plugged me to all her readers. Needless to say, not only do I love her writing, I absolutely love her PERIOD. (I know all of you feel the same)

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  25. I love the mysteries and the recipes. I am looking forward to reading 'Murder for the Halibut'. Even though I have never been on a cruise.

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    1. Hey, Grandmareads, I hope you enjoy what Grandmawrote!! I have four adorable grandchildren who are the loves of my life. Matter of fact, next summer, we are going on a 7 day cruise with kids and grandkids. That should be a hoot.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  26. What has happened to me regarding food, its getting food poisoning. I have had food poisoning many a times and it was not fun!!

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    1. Yuk. There is nothing I hate worse than throwing up and dry-heaving. On one of the cruises I was on, they had an outbreak of stomach flu and a lot of people spent the entire cruise in their cabins. Fortunately, no one in our party got sick.

      Thanks for sharing that.

      Delete
  27. The best thing about food on a cruise - you don't have to fix it yourself!

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  28. SO excited for a new cozy mystery series. I love the Coffeehouse series, the Haunted Bookshop, and Hannah Swensen. Love to try the recipes. I also love King Ranch Chicken so can't wait to try this new recipe for it.

    What I love most about food especially desserts is eating the corners and around the edges, the crunchy "stuff". This is especially true for Magic Cookie Bars and Brownies.

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    1. Kathi, I love all those series, too. And I also go for the crunchies around the edges. And FYI, did you know that SAM'S Warehouse has something called Brownie Bites? They're crunchy cookies that taste just like a chocolate brownie with real chocolate chips. Yum.

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  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  30. I just wondered who was Liz's favourite character to write about in this new series :0)

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    1. Good question, Edel. Although I love them all, Victor is the most fun to write. The things that come out of his mouth make me giggle as I'm writing them. He and his partner own the apartment building where Jordan lives, and he's probably her best friend. The man has no filter. If you've read any of these books, which one is your favorite?

      Delete
  31. I still remember the breathtaking midnight chocolate buffet on my first cruise - I didn't even know where to start looking, let alone eating!

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    1. You have to be a chocoholic! And yes, these were breathtaking. And do you have a bad kitty?

      Delete
    2. We have five (and a part-time bunny), although there are varying degrees of badness. ;)

      Delete
  32. I've never been on a cruise, but hope to someday! I love the idea of a character who sells alcoholic desserts. Looking forward to reading.

    Rachel
    rachelkb at gmail.com

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    1. Rachel, there are three of his recipes in the book. I will be glad to send any or all to anyone who wants them. Besides the two I mention in the blog, there's Bailey's Irish Cream Truffle.

      Thanks for commenting, and good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  33. Liz, I've not been on a cruise but have cruised a good bit in my motorhome. Your book title reminded me of one of my favorite adventures in Alaska when we caught so much halibut that I couldn't freeze it all so ended up serving it several ways. The best was the huge pot of halibut chowder
    which we shared with fellow Rv'ers!

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    Replies
    1. That sounds like so much fun, Marquita. As I mentioned in the blog, I have included one of the chef's personal recipes for halibut using the killer ingredient. I'll bet you could have provided me with several halibut options!! And Yay on you for sharing with your RV friends.

      Delete
  34. The best part about dining on a cruise ship is that you can try so many different types of food in a short period of time..... And I'm sure that calories don't count when eaten at sea, right? ;)

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  35. Oh, that's a good one, Alicia. I once heard someone say they were on the seafood diet--when they see food, they eat it!!

    And probably the food is the best thing about a cruise. Oh wait, there's the fantastic places to see, the fabulous parties at night, the entertainment...I give up. It's all good. Now I have to go take a nap after answering all these comments!! Just kidding. Keep them coming.

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  36. Love the title! Anything combining cooking, food, and mystery is tops in my reading pile. Looks like here's another one to add.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, cttiger. Hope you enjoy it.
      Thamks for commenting.

      Delete
  37. Not crazy for fish, but love this series. What a great title! My hubby has recently been talking about taking a cruise, although we thought a European river cruise might be more fun with more sights to see. Can't wait for the new book to come out! Cheers!

    Sue P.
    suepete12(ay)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not crazy for fish, either.

      And a river cruise sounds delightful. Which river?

      Delete
  38. I haven't been on a cruise before but my parents told me the ships offer variety of foods. Recently visited my brother and sister-n-law and they took me to their favorite mexican restuarant. I love mexican food but that night mexican food didn't love me. I had food poisoning. I never felt so sick. :( I love your book series, can't wait to read Halibut. :)

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    1. Oh, no, I can't even imagine barfing spicy food. Don't give up on it. And I use Rotels whenever the recipe calls for diced tomatoes and chilies. Gives it a little extra zing.

      Love that you are so young and still enjoy the series.

      Delete
  39. The scary thing for me is baking. My family always wants me to bake delicious treats. But I get easily discouraged when something dosen't turn out right and it has happened. But I have found that I can bake my most favorite dessert of all, cheesecake and it's delicious and my family loves it.
    Love this series and love mystery lovers kitchen. Hope to win. Thanks Liz !!!

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    1. I love baking, too. And don't worry about screwing it up. Just keep doing it. I've eaten brownies like syrup before. They still tasted awesome. Cheesecake is just something I never acquired a taste for. I don't like all that cream cheese in one spot!! Hubby said to tell you he'll be over the next time you bake one, though!!

      Thanks for commenting with those nice words. Fingers crossed.

      Delete
  40. I've never been on a cruise but I would have loved to have listened to your chat with the chefs on your cruise! Now that's what I call research!

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    Replies
    1. It was hysterical. When I went on the cruise, I marched up to the info desk and told them I wanted to talk to the chefs and the head of security. Imagine my surprise when they told me that sort of thing has to be arranged months in advance. So I went to a cooking demonstration and afterwards, I asked who wanted to be part of my murder mystery. Four of the bigwigs showed up in full chef dress. I wish I had taped it. I should have sent Cleo the picture of me with 2 of them.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  41. Does a dinner cruise in Hawaii count? The food was wonderful and the entertainment superb. Of course the views were amazing. I would like to go on a longer cruise eventually, but I'm afraid of getting sick.

    I will definitely be checking out this series.

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    Replies
    1. A dinner cruise in Hawaii definitely counts. As a matter of fact, the character, Victor, refers to a cruise like that as a booze cruise. And I get sick, too. So I get my doc to prescribe the patches. Each one lasts for three days, and I never get seasick.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  42. Since moving to a small town in the Texas Panhandle, I look forward to all kinds of new reading, and this sounds right up my culinary alley! I have been learning some Texas recipes and sharing some of my northern Illinois recipes. And the chicken looks wonderful!

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    Replies
    1. Welcome to Texas, Judi. I'm also from the midwest-Ohio. One of the recipes in Halibut is for my mother's famous Pigs in the Blanket (cabbage rolls.) We have it at all the weddings and gatherings back home. Here in Texas Pigs in the Blanket refers to croissant-wrapped sausages.

      Do try the KR Chicken.

      Delete
  43. Hi Liz~ Love your writing and can't wait to read Halibut. We're also big fans of KR Casserole & once I've reached my goal on this South Beach Diet I'll have to try your version!

    Haven't been on a cruise ship yet, but once we had the pleasure of being invited to an all-day cruise on a private yacht in the Virgin Islands. The food, drinks and service were all excellent, and we had the entire yacht to ourselves, with a crew of 7 for the 4 of us! Though I love to cook and experiment with new foods and recipes, it was so nice not to have to lift a finger to prepare or cook or do anything really, except enjoy another beautiful day in the Caribbean. Quite memorable all these years later. ;)

    Best of luck with all of your books!

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    1. Ah, Lynn, what a nice thing to say. I am so jealous that you are losing weight. I think South Beach is one of the better diets out there, but like I mentioned earlier, I refuse to ever diet again. So, when you get svelte and try the KR Chicken, I hope you will invite my cute and chubby self over to enjoy it with you.

      Delete
  44. Can't wait to read the book! And for free would be great ;)

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    1. I love free, Marilyn!~! So, I'll cross my fingers. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  45. I have never been on a cruise. Have traveled overseas and always enjoy trying new foods. Since we live in Texas have gotten the taste for mexican food. Have a coworker who makes some fantastic mexican food. I am a north east girl who has aquired new tastes living in south Texas.
    This series is on my to read list and looking forward to it.

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    Replies
    1. As I mentioned earlier, book 6 of this series (yet unwritten) is Enchi-Lada Bodies and will feature all Mexican food. That's my all time favorite food to eat. Here in Texas we have great Tex-Mex food. The key is to add Rotels and/or diced jalapenos to everything!

      Delete
  46. One final note. I just found out that MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT is number 15 on Baker and Taylor's Best Selling Mystery List. OMG! It's right up there with Gillian Flynn and Michael Connolly! Thank you, thank you, thank you to eveyone who bought this book and made this happen.

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful news, Liz!! Happy congrats! (And I do believe that number was #11. :))

      ~ Cleo

      Delete
  47. The only cruise I've been on was a disappointment. Too much time at sea (Atlantic) and not much besides gambling to do (and I don't).
    The food was plentiful, but I really don't remember anything outstanding.

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  48. Thanks to everyone who entered Liz's comment-to-win giveaway of her new Clueless Cook Mystery MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT. The winning comment, chosen by random number generator, was made by (drumroll, please)... Edie D. - We'll contact you by e-mail, Edie, congrats! Thanks again to everyone for dropping by and commenting on Liz's post.

    And thanks to Liz for joining us this week in the Kitchen. It's always a pleasure to host you here, Liz, and you're welcome back anytime!

    ~ Cleo

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