Sunday, May 10, 2015

Welcome Linda Reilly!

 
We are delighted to welcome Linda Reilly to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen today. I'm hearing great things about her new Deep Fried Mystery series. It just debuted on Tuesday with FILLET OF MURDER!

I'm also particularly partial to her "impossible pie recipe." You know how I love recipes that seem like they wouldn't work but do. A pie that makes its own crust? Count me in!

Linda is very generously giving away a copy of FILLET OF MURDER today. Leave a comment with your contact information to enter. Good luck!


And heeeere's Linda ~



Thank you, Krista Davis, for inviting me to post on Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen today! I have to confess that I agonized over choosing a recipe. My upcoming Deep Fried series is, of course, about an eatery that serves deep fried foods. But for some reason, Mother’s Day always puts me in mind of brunch food, and that puts me in mind of one of my all-time brunch favorites – Quiche Lorraine.

I first tried this delectably cheesy dish during the 1970s, when I was visiting England. I’d honestly never heard of it before that, but once I sampled it I was hooked. But as much as I love eating it and preparing it, I always struggle when it comes to making the crust. My pie crusts just do not have that flaky, buttery tenderness that my mother’s crusts seem to have. Then a few months ago, I landed on a Cook’s Country program on television, and they were preparing an “impossible ham and cheese pie.” It was much like a quiche, but the crust made itself. I decided to try it. And since I always prefer bacon over ham in my quiche, I made the substitution. I also plunked in some minced shallot instead of scallions, and omitted the overly strong (for me) Dijon mustard. Here is my version of this crustless delight:

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese (I think you could substitute Swiss)
10 (more or less) slices of well-cooked bacon, broken into pieces
1 large shallot, minced
½ cup flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup half-and-half
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat your oven to 350°. Grease a pie-plate with one tablespoon of butter, then sprinkle the Parmesan evenly over the entire plate. This will help form the “crust.”

Combine the Gruyere, bacon, and shallots in a bowl. Spread that mixture evenly over the prepared pie plate. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper in the now-empty bowl. Whisk into that the half-and-half, the eggs, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, the dry mustard, and the nutmeg. Pour this batter slowly and evenly over the cheese/bacon mixture in the pie dish.

Bake at 350° until golden brown, between 30 and 40 minutes. I do the “knife inserted in center” test by slipping a butter knife into the center. If it comes out clean, the pie is done. Let it cool slightly. Slice into wedges and serve warm.


Ingredients

Line pie plate with butter and sprinkle parmesan.


Blend Gruyere, bacon, and shallots.

Add cheese mixture to pie plate.

Blend flour, baking powder, salt and pepper in now-empty bowl.

 

And since today is Mother’s Day, I would like to pay a tribute to my own fabulous mom. Gorgeous, funny, talented, and one of the best cooks on the planet. Mom, your unwavering love made me the person I am today. I owe you the world and more. And don’t kill me for posting this pic of you in 1945 at eighteen years old.


Linda's Mom at 18 - 1945

~

 
Linda Reilly is the author of Fillet of Murder, the first book in the Deep Fried mystery series (Berkley Prime Crime, May 2015). To learn more about Linda, please visit her web site at www.lindasreilly.com. You can also follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lindasreillyauthor.



Linda is giving away one signed copy of Fillet of Murder. Be sure to leave your contact info when posting so that she can contact you if you’re the winner!


83 comments:

  1. Your recipe sounds wonderful - and your book sounds even better! Happy Mother's Day.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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    1. Thanks, Karen ~ and Happy Mother's Day to you as well!

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  2. Oh my, it looks so yummy! Thank you for the recipe.
    FILLET OF MURDER sounds like a great mystery, and I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Jen. I love the simplicity of this recipe. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  3. Thanks for the recipe! It looks good. And that is a great picture of your mom. I get to spend Mother's Day with my mom. The book looks great!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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    1. Thanks so much, Elaine. Have a wonderful day with your mom!

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  4. happy Mother's Day Linda--so nice to meet you at Malice! The quiche looks wonderful, what could go wrong with bacon and cheese? big congrats on the new book!

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    1. Thanks, Lucy -- I enjoyed chatting with you! Love your Key West series ~

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  5. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Can't wait to try it and read your book. Quiche is one of the family's favorite and is a tradition on Christmas morning.
    Katdunn @cox.net

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    1. Thanks, Kathy! I bet that if this recipe was doubled and baked it in a rectangular pan it would make a fabulous family breakfast. Glad you stopped by ~

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  6. The quiche and book look good! Thank you for the recipe and giveaway. dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

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  7. Happy Mother's Day, Linda! Thanks for the giveaway; the book sounds great!
    smmolloy1105@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Shannon! Good luck in the drawing ~

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  8. Linda, congrats on the new book and what a lovely tribute to your mom. I always love cheese-y things, so this is a go-to recipe for me! Thanks for sharing on MLK.

    Daryl / Avery

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    1. Thank you, Daryl/Avery! Moms are very special. I love your cheese cozies and your cookbook cozies, but I missed the last few. Gotta catch up!

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  9. Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for the recipe and the chance to win this book! :) areewekidding@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks so much for commenting, Robyn. Happy Mother's Day, and good luck in the giveaway ~

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  10. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  11. Happy Mother's Day! The quiche sounds wonderful, I have got to try this, anything with bacon has got to be a winner in my book, LOL. Congrats on your release!
    momzillasteel at gmail dot com

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    1. Bacon makes almost anything tastier, doesn't it? Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the giveaway!

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  12. The recipe looks so yummy. Can't wait to try it. Happy Mother's Day and congratulations on the new book. It will definitely go on my must read list. Thanks for the chance. Scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks so much, and Happy Mother's Day! Good luck in the drawing ~

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  13. I wish I could eat quiche but it's too rich for me. One bite is about all I could handle. But, I have no problems reading books fortunately. I'd love to read yours.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. Linda, sorry I stuck my reply to you in the wrong spot. It's below ~

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  14. What a yummy sounding recipe. Love the cover of the book and I'don't love to read it, lilflynracer @ msn.com

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    1. Amy, thanks for stopping by! The recipe really is yummy, and a breeze to prepare. Good luck in the giveaway ~

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  15. Since I can't make a good crust, this is the perfect pie for me. Thanks for the recipe. I'd love to read this book---that cat on the cover has me convinced that it's a good book.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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    1. Sue, this recipe is perfect for those of us who struggle with crust! Thanks for commenting, and good luck in the drawing ~

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  16. Quiche is a bit rich, and it all translates to fat calories. But reading Fillet of Murder is calorie-free . . . I promise! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the giveaway, Linda.

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  17. Thanks for this delectable recipe and your intriguing book. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(com)

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    1. Thank you for commenting . . . and good luck in the drawing!

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  18. That pie looks delicious and easy. And a new series, count me in.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Sally . . . and good luck in the giveaway!

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  19. Linda - Welcome to the Kitchen! I love the idea of a crust-that-makes itself. Thank you so much for sharing it with us today, and big congrats on the launch of your brand new mystery series! Happy Mother's Day to you and all of our blog followers. xoxo - Cleo

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    1. Thanks for having me, Cleo. I feel honored to be among this fabulous group of writers. Happy Mother's Day ~

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  20. Quiche is a delight. Thanks for this ideal Spring treat. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you ~ I fell in love with quiche decades ago, and this recipe makes it super easy! Good luck in the drawing ~

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  21. Lovely post, Linda! Welcome to Mystery Lovers Kitchen. I am trying to watch the carbs and I'll be trying this for sure!

    Hugs.

    MJ/VA

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    1. You're so sweet, MJ/VA. Hugs in return, and Happy Mother's Day ~

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  22. Thank you so much for joining us today, Linda! This recipe is on my list to make. I love it! Best of luck with your book!

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    1. Krista, the pleasure was mine. Thanks so much for everything ~

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  23. Considering the lovely things you said about her, I don't think your mom minds having her picture posted.
    Looks like a combination a of great book and a yummy recipe.
    Thanks for both.

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    1. Oh,
      libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    2. Thanks, Libby . . . and actually you're right! She loves that picture. She has straight hair, but told me that she put it up in pin curls every single night to get that curly look. She was quite the fashion maven (still is!). Good luck in the drawing!

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    3. I'm impressed that you have taken time to respond to each comment. Well done. Your mom should be proud!

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    4. Aw, thanks Libby. I appreciate the time people take to comment. And I love connecting with readers! P.S. Mom is proud!

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  24. Thank you for a chance to win! crossxjo@hotmail.com

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    1. Thank you for visiting today . . . and good luck in the drawing!

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  25. Recipe looks great! Would love to win this book, Thanks for the chance!!!
    magicgirl2357@yahoo.com

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    1. Abby, thank you for visiting the Kitchen today! Good luck in the drawing ~

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  26. The recipe sounds so good. I think I'm going to have to try to make that. And i would love to win your book. I can't wait til I can get it myself. Hopefully in a week I can!! Frauenb@aol.com

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    1. Brian, the recipe is truly delicious, so I hope you'll give it a try. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  27. Love the quiche recipe. Would love to win a copy of Fillet of Murder

    Bettyjo.English@gmail.com

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  28. Love the quiche recipe. Would love to win a copy of Fillet of Murder

    Bettyjo.English@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, BJ! Wishing you good luck in the giveaway ~

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  29. Happy Mothers Day! The sweet version of "impossible pie" has been around for several years and I make it from time to time. I will enjoy trying a savory version of it. I'd love to win this new to me series book. dbahn@iw.net

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    1. Happy Mother's Day, Dianne! My friend Ginny makes an "impossible" pumpkin pie that is also crustless. A fun recipe to make in the fall. Good luck in the giveaway!

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    1. We are of the same mind, Pattie! Wishing you good luck in the giveaway ~

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  31. Pie looks easy and good! Will try it. Thank you for the recipe and giveaway. Happy Mother's Day.

    Tennisace50@yahoo.com

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    1. And Happy Mother's Day to you, as well! Good luck in the drawing ~

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  32. This recipe sounds good and so doe the book.
    dotkel50@comcast.net

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    1. Thanks so much, Dot! Good luck in the drawing.

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  33. I love quiche. I'm surprised I can't wait to try this recipe. Happy Mother's Day and thanks for the giveaway.
    cindy226@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Cindy! I hope you'll try the recipe because it truly is good. Happy Mother's Day ~

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  34. There are lots of quiche lovers in my family, so I can't wait to try this! I must try your book. Thanks for the giveaway. klmstitches@yahoo.com

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  35. Love trying new series...thanks for the giveaway. Kuzlin at aol.com

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    1. Thank you, Kuzlin ~ and good luck in the giveaway!

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  36. Thanks for the delicious recipe. Love discovering new authors.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks . . . and good luck in the drawing!

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    2. Can't wait to try your recipe. I LOVE quiche! Also want to read your book. Hope I win!

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    3. Thank you, Gail! Good luck in the giveaway ~

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  37. I am looking forward to reading Fillet of Murder. It looks like it will be a good cozy mystery. I hope you had a Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for a chance to win! Doodlesink@hotmail.com

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Kristina! Good luck in the giveaway ~

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  38. Looks yummy! And the book sounds yummy also! Thanks for the opportunity!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks, Barbara! The recipe really is yummy . . . and easy! Good luck in the giveaway.

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  39. Thank you! This sounds so good! Looking forward to reading your book - that sounds equally as good! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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    1. Thank you, Mama Cat! Good luck in the giveaway ~

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  40. I baked an Impossible pie once, years ago and it was delicious. I got the recipe from a biscuit mix advertisement, so it was a bit different. I like the use of seasoning in your recipe. (nutmeg) ncroessner @ comcast. net

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    1. There are so many ways to make this "impossible" pie, Nancy. Using a biscuit mix is an excellent idea!

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