Sunday, August 16, 2015

Welcome guest author Paige Shelton! Veggie recipe + Book Giveaway




Please welcome delicious author, Paige Shelton! 

Paige recently moved to Arizona where she’s trying to balance all the cool stuff (the scenery, the people, the pools) with the not-so-cool stuff (the summer temperatures.) For more information, check out her website: www.paigeshelton.com

Take it away, Paige!
* * *

It’s great to be on one of favorite sites today. Thanks, Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen for letting me stop by. Hello, readers – always good to see you.

I’m here to talk about leeks. Other than potato leek soup, what in the world are you supposed to do with these onion-like flavored and uber-healthy vegetables?

That was my quandary when I titled my newest cooking school mystery “If Onions Could Spring Leeks.” Between you and me, I included other vegetables in the story so I wouldn’t have to come up with a bunch of leek recipes. The challenge of leek-only was too daunting, and, really, who wants a bunch of recipes highlighting leeks? Between you and me again – actually, now that I’ve become so well acquainted with them and really like them, I could use a bunch of leek recipes, but, alas, I only have one that I consider extra tasty.

In fact, it has turned out to be one of my favorite dishes and something I’ve already made for many dinners. It fills you up and is pretty healthy – a rare combination. It’s also super simple and my family likes it too.

I can’t take credit for the original recipe. I found it online and didn’t do much to it except add one thing from Costco.

It’s called: Sautéed Carrots and Leeks, and Costco Chicken 




Ingredients:
2 leeks, almost finely chopped (original recipe said ‘finely’ chopped, but I’m too impatient for ‘finely.’)
2 carrots, almost finely chopped
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter (I use salted)
1 tablespoon white sugar
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 Costco chicken (any baked chicken will do). Free it from its bones and tear it to pieces. 








Directions:
Combine everything except the chicken in a skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer and stir every now and then until liquid evaporates and leeks and carrots are lightly browned, about 15 minutes or so. Add the chicken and stir until chicken is warmed through – minute or so. Serve.


If you don’t add the chicken, it makes a great vegetable side dish. If you add the chicken, it’s a one-skillet, healthy, and filling meal.



Easy as that. Hope you enjoy it as much as I and my family do.

Thanks for letting me stop by today!

GIVEAWAY



Paige has generously offered to give away a copy of IF ONIONS COULD SPRING LEEKS to one lucky reader today. Leave a comment [by clicking the word comments, and include your email, cryptically if you need to!]

And tell Paige what your favorite veggie dish is! 

146 comments:

  1. Welcome, Paige! Love this colorful, nourishing recipe; and the book sounds absolutely fabulous! EMS591@aol.com

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  2. Another book on my must read list!!!!

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    1. forgot my email address: anamcara1965 at gmail dot com

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    2. Hi, Tea, Thyme and Cozies - thank you!

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  3. I am not a leek fan but I love Broccoli just about any way. Cooked or raw.

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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    1. Hi, Bookwomen - I love broccoli too. Mostly cooked though. :)

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  4. My favorite veggie dish is fried okra. Love the crispy cornmeal flavor and the crunch that it adds to make it so delicious.
    Jhdwayne@peoplepc.com

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    1. Hi, Deana - I can't believe I've never had fried okra. I must take care of that someday soon.

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  5. I love leeks! My favorite local restaurant serves a mouth-watering leek soup that really takes the chill off a cold, winter day. Thanks for the recipe! I'm in with this book, too! kat8762@aol.com

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    1. Hi, Kathleen - the thought of a good leek soup makes me wish for winter. Yum.

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    2. Behind cooler temperatures, soft sweaters, and the smell of fireplaces wafting in the chilly air, savory soups is what I love about fall and winter. I should add bundled up reading a great "cozy" mystery.... Looking forward to your! kat8762@aol.com

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  6. Awesome Giveaway!!! I love a loaded iceberg wedge salad! It's a filling meal nite just a starter!
    b.alexander9212@gmail

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    1. Hi, Brandi - Me too - with blue cheese dressing, tomatoes, and bacon pieces. So good.

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  7. I just LOVE punny titles!!! 'If Onions Could Spring Leaks', is quite clever! I put this title in my to read list! My favorite main course veggie dishes are bean burritos and vegetable lasagne.
    Great giveaway!
    eeyore722@gmail.com
    ee

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  8. Love the title! Thank you for the recipe and giveaway. I have added this book to my TBR list.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I like to make roasted brussel sprouts with walnuts and feta.
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

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  10. grilled asparagus with lemon butter. stclairck@gmail.com

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    1. Hi, Caryn - that's my husband's favorite too. He could eat it every day.

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  11. Love the recipes in your books and of course the stories.
    gloriawalshver@yahoo.com

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  12. It's on my TBR pile! I love leeks--they're milder than onions, and there's something about slicing them into rings that's kind of fun.

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  13. I love almost any sala. Although I've never found a pasta salad that was better than average. I've read all the other books in this series. suefoster109@ netzero.net

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    1. Hi, Sue - thanks! We just moved to AZ from UT. I found a great pasta salad at a Salt Lake City restaurant that I'm sure I'll never be able to match. I miss it.

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  14. I like leeks too, but up until now only had 1 recipe. It is delicious: cock-a-leeky soup!
    I don't really have a favorite vegetable dish-do salt potatoes in the summer count?

    cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com

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  15. Favourite Veggie......hmmm....SO many to choose from. I would have to say ...Brussels sprout! Oven roasted with bacon....so delectible :)

    mommy_to_zoe@hotmail.com

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  16. The food looks phenomenal ! I'm going to try this recipe. I've read all your other books , and I lover everyone of them. joytheforgottenone@yahoo.com
    Thank you for the opportunity.

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  17. Don't really have a favorite. I do love any kind of corn.
    jawdance@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. My favorite is the roasted corn you can get at carnivals. :)

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  18. The recipe sounds delicious and the book sounds like a great read. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.
    peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net

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  19. Looks YUMMY! So does the book!
    c_mitchell1998(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. I love this series. Thank you for the recipe and this chance to win! areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  21. Would love a chance to read this book, I love your mysteries. Thanks for this awesome chance, I do appreciate it. Linda May

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  22. Love your other series, haven't tried this one. Thanks for the giveaway. And the recipe sounds good. You're right, leeks are tasty but after the soup what's next.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  23. Just remember if the temp gets too hot for you, take a 3 hour drive and you will be in the gloriously cool mountains of Arizona. I love vegetable soup, the more veggies the better. Congrats on the new book. fsumom99@aol.com

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  24. Oh I just love Paige Shelton's books. One of my favourite veggie dishes is simple cauliflower with cheese melted on top. It is so yummy. Also I do love caramelized onions on just about everything.

    cenya2 at Hotmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Marjorie! I LOVE caramelized onions too.

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  25. Welcome, Paige! What a great series - congrats on the new book!

    Hugs.

    MJ/VA

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Mary Jane - always good to be here! Thank you!

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  26. My mom use to make veggie pita sandwiches. We would go to the grocery store and pick out any veggie that would be great in a salad, mix it together with dressing, add a little cheese and stuff it in pita bread. Great summer lunch that didn't heat up the house. :D

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  27. I love your book cover! Your book has a clever title and look forward to reading it. I love a good vegetable soup anytime. I recently had a soup with pinto beans included, it was delicious. Thank you for a chance to win! crossxjo@hotmail.com

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  28. Thank you for joining us today, Paige! I love one pan dinners and this one sounds yummy. My favorite fish soup recipe uses leeks. It's an oddball recipe that turns out great every time and the leeks have a lot to do with that.

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    1. Hi, Krista - fish and leeks sound interesting. Thank you!

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  29. My favorite easy veggie recipe is eggs over easy over toast with sauteed spinach on top. sewwild@aol.com

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  30. I don't know that I have ever intentionally eaten leeks before but your recipe sounds great. I like fresh Brussels sprouts with a little garlic and butter.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. I like the way you said "intentionally." Me either until recently. :)

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  31. Love to try this recipe. Book sounds awesome too. Thank you!

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  32. Love your books. I do a egg dish with bacon/pork sausage browned with onion and diced potatoes. Drain off the grease and then add 3 eggs, whisked and stir together in pan with the sausage/potato mixture until egg is cooked through.

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  33. This book sounds like such fun! I don't think I've ever used leeks in a dish before, so am anxious to try this recipe. Can't wait for the new Costco near me to be completed this fall. One of my favorite veggie dishes is roasted brussel sprouts with Parmesan cheese. Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway! bskts4unme@hotmail.com

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    1. When we moved my first question was "where's the Costco?" :)

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  34. I think you've convinced me to buy some leeks at the farmers' market this week and try your recipe. Thanks for the giveaway, I'd love to read your book.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  35. I love anything with sweet potatoes in it -- wonder if leeks & sweet potatoes go together? Would love to read If Onions Could Spring Leeks! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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    1. Hmm. I don't know Let us know if you give it a try.

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  36. We enjoy vegetable soup

    pwtish171@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Like chicken noodle, I think vegetable soup has healing properties.

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  37. I love this series. I love almost all veggies.

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  38. I love this series. I love almost all veggies.

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  39. Roast and red gravy with potatoes, onions, carrots, and french cut green beans. Yum
    Tattooedmommy06@yahoo.com

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    1. Oh my - that sounds so good!

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    2. Stacy, you are the winner of Paige's giveaway. She will contact you via email. Your name was picked by random number generator! Congrats!!

      ~Daryl / Avery

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  40. Your books are terrific, never had a leek, mashed potatoes with butter/margarine make me happy!

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  41. Love the bookcover. Looks like great cozy mystery.
    xzjh04@ Gmail.com

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  42. My favorite veggie dish is probably spinach and mushroom quiche. I enjoy your Farmers Market series and would like to start this one.. Thanks for the chance to win! Amy F. salvatoresmom71@yahoo.com

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  43. Looks great! noahcpatterson (at) gmail (dot) com.

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  44. I don't know why I don't cook leeks more often. I do like them a lot. Your recipe inspires me to use them again using your recipe. marthajane1@hotmail.com

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  45. Welcome! My favorite veggie dish is squash casserole. tw05516@hotmail.com

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    1. I'm not very squash-experienced. I need to try more.

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  46. I will have to try the recipe. Thank you for sharing it. I have not yet had a chance to read If Onions Could Springs Leeks, but I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for a chance to win. Doodlesink@hotmail.com

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  47. Thank you for a recipe that looks easy to prepare, healthy, and delicious too. Looking forward to trying it and also to reading your book. What a terrific title. :) rencw@verizon.net

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  48. I make a veggie pizza with crescent roll dough & garden veggie cream cheese. My husband & I can eat a whole 9x13 pan in one sitting. bookworm.walters@gmail.com

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  49. Love all your books! Thanks for the chance to win this one!
    Bski92@gmail.com

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  50. I have been wanting to read this anyway. :) I love the recipe. I make similar meals all of the time with veggies I have on hand. I use ground turkey instead of chicken if it's what I have on hand. Sarakgrotz at gmail dot com

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  51. Fried sweet potatoes. I don't know how healthy they are but they are sooo good. dr(dot)oldsmobile(at)iclouddotcom

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  52. I have many favorite vegetable dishes but the one I could go for right now is creamed spinach.
    jenne.turner@unt.edu

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    1. I haven't had that in years. Sounds good.

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  53. Looking forward to reading this newest book in the Country Cooking School mystery series. dbahn@iw.net

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  54. Sherylhbooth@gmail.com
    My favorite veggie dish is anything with eggplant in it. I LOVE eggplant!!!!

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  55. Favorite vegetable? Depends on the season...spring & summer I absolutely love grilled asparagus... Fall and winter I love pumpkin and candied sweet potatoes too!
    Thanks for the giveaway...looking forward to your books
    vernagass@gmail.com

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  56. My favorite veggie is broccoli. Yes, I love it. Summer though, tomatoes. Lovely giveaway. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  57. I'm not a huge onion fan, but I bet my husband would love this recipe. This is a great series & I hope there are many more.

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  58. Your book has such a cute title!
    My favorite veggie dish is green bean casserole!
    njcar22@aol.com

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  59. The recipe looks great. Love the name. Lol. I hAve never eaten a leek. I bet they are great. The book sounds great to.

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  60. Forgot my email.
    Moonbay7399@gmail.com

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  61. Hi Paige! Congrats on the new release and the move! I've never had leeks, but have seen them at the store! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  62. I make a potpie filling minus the meat and serve over baked potatoes. It's fabulous!

    Sue P.

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  63. So now I have to try cooking with leeks. susierobertsmom at hotmail dot com

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    1. I was surprised I found them so good. Good luck!

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  64. Love onions & leeks, thanks for the giveaway!! Anne VanderHaeghen, book__wyrm@sbcglobal.net

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  65. Thanks for the giveaway! I'd like to try this one! dm_richards(at) yahoo (dot) com

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  66. with leeks... potato leek soup (first you take a leek)
    Woofmew@aol.com

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  67. Love most vegetables. Like brussel sprouts with salt/pepper and mozzarella cheese.

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  68. B b b b but we love our potato leak soup. It's wonderful hot or cold. Perfect to freeze and pull out on those evenings when you have no idea what you want for dinner and aren't that hungry anyway.

    I do love trying new recipes though and I love the series. I hope I get to add this book to my home library.

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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  69. Thanks, everybody! I must admit - I'm shocked by how many of you said brussel sprouts were your favorite vegetables. I like them too, but sometimes I feel like I'm the only one. Have a great week. Thanks for letting me stop by.

    Paige

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  70. Have you tried grilling halved leeks?
    This recipe sounds tasty.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  71. One of my favorite series! Can't wait to read it!
    jaschmann33@gmail.com

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  72. I really like butternut squash with butter and salt. And I, too, really like roasted brussel sprouts. The recipe looks very good! I'll have to pin that. Thanks!

    ElaineE246@msn.com

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  73. Summer squash and onions
    elainehroberson@gmail.com

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