Sunday, April 28, 2013

Nutty's Pumpkin Purrs from Guest Author Liz Mugavero




 
LUCY BURDETTE: Today I'm thrilled to introduce guest author Liz Mugavero, the author of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, set in the small (fictional) Connecticut town of Frog Ledge. The first in the series, Kneading to Die, is due out May 7. 

Welcome Liz, and please tell us a little about the books!

LIZ MUGAVERO: The series stars Kristan “Stan” Connor, a corporate PR bigshot who finds herself jobless after a scandal she can’t spin, and her Maine coon cat Nutty. Instead of jumping right back into the rat race, Stan finds her bliss in small town life and focuses on baking healthy, organic treats for Nutty and the neighborhood animals.
 

I love feeding my dogs and cats healthy treats and food. Before Stan, Nutty and their adventures, I always bought high quality treats but never made my own. So this has been a great opportunity to learn more about what’s really good for animals, test it out and help spread the word to people who have the same interests. You might be surprised to find out that delicious, nutritious pet treats are fit for you and me to eat, (albeit a bit mushier than we’re used to). That’s part of the reason pets love them! They can taste high quality. I tend to use organic ingredients from my local food co-op, and I buy my eggs from a Chinese doctor who feeds his chickens with special herbs. I’ve also found great organic spices at Whole Foods. Use whatever you feel comfortable with - and whatever your furbaby likes!These treats are good for dogs and cats. It’s a simple recipe so you can get an idea of what it takes to bake for your pet. There are plenty of recipes out there, and Stan is always trying new things, so you’ll never run out of ideas!


Nutty’s Pumpkin Purrs

Ingredients:
    •    2 cups almond flour
    •    2 tsp. baking powder
    •    1/2 tsp vanilla
    •    2 tsp. cinnamon
    •    1/2 tsp. ground cloves
    •    3 eggs
    •    3/4 cup honey
    •    1/4 cup canola oil
    •    1 15 oz. can organic pumpkin puree

Instructions:
    1.    Preheat oven to 350° F
    2.    Mix all ingredients in large bowl.
    3.    Lightly spray muffin cups or line with cupcake papers.
    4.    Spoon mixture into each cup.
    5.    Bake for 15 minutes in a mini muffin pan or 25 minutes in a regular muffin pan.
    6.    Cool completely on a wire rack.


**News flash: Liz has a copy of Kneading to Die to give away to a lucky commenter today.**


When she’s not writing mysteries, Liz works in corporate communications in Hartford. Find her at www.lizmugavero.com, on Facebook  and Twitter.https://twitter.com/Lizmugavero

43 comments:

  1. Good luck on your new series.

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  2. My dog Chloe has to eat grain free because of allergies. thank you for posting this recipe. I think she will love these.
    I will be looking forward to your new series.

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  3. Thanks for the recipe - will try it out on Rufus the Yorkie and Tiki the Cat. The new series sounds fantastic. Thanks for having this contest. I would love to read your book.

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  4. This sounds like an awesome series! Liz is coming to a pet store in my area in a few weeks to do a book signing (from what I read on the email I received)! I can't wait to make these treats!

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  5. The pups want me to try this today!

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  6. Thanks, all, for the kind words! One tip - make sure you refrigerate these treats so they keep longer. I hope all your pets love them like mine do! Acemommy - are you coming to The Big Biscuit? I'm so glad you heard about the signing! Can't wait to meet you.

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  7. My little rescue dog certainly isn't a picky eater (as evidenced by her "gifts" from the yard), but she's anxious for me to give your recipe a try.

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  8. This treat sounds pawsitively terrific. I'm going to make a batch tomorrow. Good Luck on your release!

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  9. This book sounds very cool! The cover alone, makes me wanna read it!

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  10. Welcome to Mystery Lovers Kitchen, Liz. And thanks for the excellent recipe. Daisy and Lily, the princess dachshunds, will love them and they'll be fun to make too.

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    1. Thanks, Mary Jane! I'll be interested to hear how the dogs responded. Two of my dogs gobble them up, and the third seems to have to be in the mood. I'm thinking he just might not be a pumpkin fan, which I couldn't imagine in a million years.

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  11. I've added this book to my TBR list and I'm definately going to try out this recipe as my dog Murphy (who thinks he's human) is nuts for people food.

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  12. oh Liz, sounds like you will make a lot of animals happy with your post today:)

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  13. Would "LOVE" to win! I can't wait to read the new book, and make a couple of the recipes. ;)

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    1. Tonya, you're one of the winners whom Nutty selected. please email me and we'll get it sent? lucyburdette at gmail dot com

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  14. Pumpkin Purrs are to die for, the dogs love them.

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    1. They certainly do! And they're easy to make too.

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  15. The dogs enjoy something new and exciting to nibble on. I can make some of these when I make my pumpkin pies for us so we all can have a treat

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    1. That's a great idea, Ann. I always felt so bad for them at holiday dessert time. Now they can have their own good-for-you treat.

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  16. Liz, as you know, I love your series (hey, everyone, I've had the lucky chance to read it. Fun!) Love the purrs. Sweet.

    Hugs and success,

    Daryl aka Avery

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  17. Cant wait to start this new series! love the recipes- I have 3 dogs that will love to taste homemade treats- they are worth it!

    drakebdog@gmail.com

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  18. It's wonderful how people are realizing that what their pets eat is important, just as what they eat themselves matters. About time!

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    1. Libby, agree - I've heard so many horrible stories about pets eating treats or food that's killing them and people don't even realize it. It's one of the reasons I was so happy to get to write this series!

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  19. Woof! These sound so yummy. Even for people! Good luck with your new series, Liz!

    ~Krista

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    1. Thanks Krista! You know, they're not bad at all! The honey makes them really moist.

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  20. I love Cozies and this series sounds VERY original!! Gonna have to give the recipe a try - I bet Snickerdoodle and Baby would live them!!

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  21. Good luck Liz with your new series. I am adding your book to my TBR pile and wish list. I can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing. Elisa

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  22. Welcome to the Kitchen, Liz! Marc and I care for a little colony of rescued cats so we're delighted to hear about your new series. We wish you all the best, thanks for the purrfectly delicious recipe, and cheers for the sweet giveaway. :) You're going to make one of our followers very happy!

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    1. Thanks, Cleo! I'd love to hear about your rescues sometime :)

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  23. I really love it when people use organic. Fantastic to find a book with it included. Can not wait to read your book.

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