Sunday, March 30, 2014

Welcome Agatha Nominee Barbara Ross with a guest post

To learn more about
Barbara Ross and her
work, 
click here.


Please welcome our guest to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, the talented Barbara Ross.

The first book in Barbara's series, Clammed Up, has been nominated for the 2014 Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel, and she's here today to tell us about her new entry, Boiled Over, coming out this May. 
Take it away, Barbara! 

~ Cleo


I’m happily looking forward to May 6 and the release of Boiled Over, the second book in my Maine Clambake Mystery series. 

The book takes place at the height of the summer season, when running the Snowden Family Clambake leaves little time for solving mysteries. But when a charred foot tumbles out of the clambake fire and one of Julia Snwoden’s employees is accused, she has to join the chase for the real killer.

That chase leads Julia to a camp where Mi’kmaq tribe members from Canada stay when they come to Maine to harvest the wild blueberry crop. She stays for dinner and eats these delicious camp-style beans.

“They taste something like New England baked beans,” Julia said.

“And who do you think invented those?” Her host smiled at her. “All the tribes in Maine, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick cooked beans mixed with maple syrup and bear fat in clay pots buried with hot coals.”

“The beans in this are bigger than I’m used to.”

“Soldier beans. Now grown all over, but native to this region.”


* * * * 

Baked Camp Beans

This recipe is adapted to be made at home (as opposed to at camp).

Ingredients:

1 pound soldier beans
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
3 thick slices slab bacon, chopped
3 thick slices salt pork, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 large celery stalk, diced, leaves chopped
1 carrot, diced
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup molasses
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 quarts water
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Soak beans for one hour. Heat oil in large saucepan. Render bacon and salt pork in oil for about three minutes. Add onion, celery, and carrot and sauté for another three-four minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for one hour. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Put beans in a bean pot or covered casserole and cook in the oven for four hours. 
(Slow Cooker Alternative: after simmering, place in a slow cooker on high for four hours.) Check occasionally. Adjust seasonings. If you think it’s necessary, remove cover for last hour of cooking to thicken.



Barbara Ross

Barbara Ross is the author of Clammed Up, which was nominated for a 2014 Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel as well as the RT Book Reviews, Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Amateur Sleuth. The second book in the series, Boiled Over, will be released in May 2014. Barbara’s short story, "Bread Baby" in Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold was also nominated for an Agatha Award. She writes at her home overlooking the harbor in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. You can visit Barbara’s website at www.maineclambakemysteries.com






Thank you for joining us today
in the Kitchen, Barbara!

Book Giveaway

The first book in Barbara's
Clambake Mystery Series, the 2014
Agatha Nominated CLAMMED UP.


This giveaway is now closed.
The winner has been announced.
To see the announcement,

 click here.


Thank you all for your
wonderful comments!


92 comments:

  1. We make beans like this, have for ages...only we use maple syrup instead of molasses, and we have never tried the celery and carrots..use my NE bean pot, and my NE recipe!!! These take on a nice color.

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  2. Looks like a fantastic book; a must-read for me. Thank you for the chance to win it, I hope I get to read it :)
    jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. And here I was looking for a recipe for Charred Foot (do you have to marinate it first?).

    Kidding aside, I loved the first book, can't wait to see the next one.

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  4. I thought we'd get the charred foot too Sheila, but I suppose since we all write cozies...

    Love baked beans, love the clambake mysteries--can't wait for the next one Barb!

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  5. I have never heard of this series. Looks really good!

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  6. She is a new author to me. Book sounds good and cozy! Please enter me to win!

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  7. Welcome to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, Barb! I'm notoriously bad at cooking baked beans. I look forward to trying these.

    ~Krista

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  8. They sound delicious!! Welcome, and thank you for the giveaway!

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  9. Thanks for the welcome everyone!

    Charred Foot. I wish I had thought of that--especially if my slot had been just two days away on April Fool's Day!

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  10. Congratulations on your nominations! This sounds like a fun series. =o)

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  11. I would love to win this book haven't read this series but would love too I love the food mysteries

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  12. kim j
    this looks like a wonderful new series! congratulations!
    kjohnson952@yahoo.com

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  13. I am uber excited to begin this series, I love the New England area and can't wait to try the baked beans recipe. I am always looking for a good one! carter.karen@gmail.com

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  14. Can't wait to read BOILED OVER. And despite the grey, cold, New England day, I am heading out to buy these ingredients, and making some baked beans. Yet again, Mystery Lovers Kitchen feeds two parts of my life--foodieism and cozy loving.

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  15. I always love a good cozy mystery. I will put this series on my Amazon wishlist.

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  16. Love Maine and would love to read the books!

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

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  17. Thanks for the chance to win!! The book looks delicious...and I guess the beans do too!!!

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  18. This recipe for beans reminds me of my grandmother's beans--I'll have to try it and see if they taste as good as I remember hers did. I love cozies and would like to be entered in your drawing.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  19. Oh, this series sounds like so much fun! I'm looking forward to reading it.
    rencw@verizon.net

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  20. Congrats, Barbara, on your nomination. Love the cover of Boiled Over. Your artist really captured the flavor. LOL

    Daryl / Avery

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  21. I remember going to clam bakes when I visited my cousins inMaine. Such fun and yummy too. I also remember that the school children got two weeks off every year to help harvest the potatoes there. Long time ago. Definitely a book I want to read!! Ronnalord (at) msn ( dot) com

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  22. This looks like a great new series--can't wait to read it!

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  23. Always love a chance to read a new author! Love the location!!

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  24. Soldier beans? I'll have to look for them. And the book, too, of course!

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  25. Welcome, Barbara. Thanks for sharing this terrific recipe and good luck with that Agatha! See you on the big night.

    Hugs,

    MJ/Victoria Abbott

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  26. Love reading books set in MA and ME. Looking forward to starting this series.
    dotkel50 (at) comcast (dot) net

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  27. Excited to read this new series. Definitely going on my TBR list!

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    1. bubs(dot)girl(at)yahoo(dot)com Oops! Forgot to add this :)

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  28. I loved the first book and trying to be patient for this one also. I live in Maine and love this new series

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  29. Never been to a clam bake, love Elvis' movie Clam Bake! ;)
    Thanks for sharing with us!
    RW620 (at) aol (dot) com

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  30. I thoroughly enjoyed the time that I spent in Maine (and all of the lobster that I ate!), so am very anxious for this book to come out. I love the cover (and yes, I am shallow enough to buy, or not buy, a book on the cover alone) of this one and the previous. I hope you have great luck with it.

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  31. Will look for this book.

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  32. Can't wait for the second book, loved the first one
    rjprazak(6) (at) gmail (dot)com

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  33. This book sounds great, would love to read it

    debbiec1313@yahoo.com

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  34. Sounds like a winner. I'll be looking for it, for sure.

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  35. This is a new series to me looking forward to reading them, the baked beans recipes sounds great, may have to give it a try!

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  36. Love reading mysteries and am looking forward to reading this series.

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  37. I have never heard of soldier beans, but I'm sure I can find some (or a reasonable replacement). That recipe sounds sooo good. I went to Maine once-- back in 1975. I loved it. I didn't go to a clam bake, but I think it sounds like fun. I would love to win and read your book!
    18LMMS@gmail.com

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  38. No clams for me but the beans sound yummy. And the book sounds terrific. I'd love to read it. What are soldier beans? I don't know them but I'm from the west coast.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  39. I am curious as to how you pronounce Mi’kmaq. Mickmack?

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  40. I can't wait to read this book. And this bean recipe sounds so good...never thought of adding carrots to beans like this.
    ambermt85@gmail.com

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  41. Hi all. Thanks for the lovely comments.

    I understand Mi'kmaq is usually pronounced Migmaw.

    The carrot and celery give the beans a nice crunch.

    So glad you like the cover, Darryl! I like it, too.

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  42. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I've never made my beans with celery or carrot before - I'll have to give it a try. I'll have to give your series a try, too - I do love a good mystery! bunkielisa (at) gmail dot com

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  43. Congratulations on your nomination!! Love Maine!

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  44. Love it!! And clambakes!!!����

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  45. Sounds like a winner....both the book and the recipe! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  46. Love this. Sounds wonderful. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  48. Welcome. I look forward to reading your work. I'd love to win a book.

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  49. This looks like a great series. Always looking for new stuff. Welcome to the blog. I will be the dumb one here - what are soldier beans? Recipe looks great and I would love to win the book.

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    Replies
    1. Hi

      Soldier beans are an heirloom bean commonly used in making baked beans in Maine or in the Canadian Maritimes. If you can't get them in your area, you can use navy beans or another standard bean.

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  50. I loved the first book in this series.
    tiggernelsie@yahoo.com

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  51. Congrats on the first book and this second looks like it's going to be good as well. Love the covers! Wishing you the best on your new series. Looking forward to reading the stories.

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  52. Would love to read this book. Free is even better. Regardless I will be reading it. It sounds just the ticket.

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  53. I love Maine! We did a camping trip up the Eastern Seaboard in 1985 and I long to return there some day (most interesting spot was the Desert of Maine!). Reading about it is never as good, but it helps!

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  55. I would love to make this recipe and this book looks delightful. Nice cover also. I love foodie books. stephaniebonck@yahoo.com

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  56. Love mysteries with recipes, cant wait to start reading this series

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  57. I look forward to reading your new book and it is wonderful when another author suggests an author, we get to know and enjoy and explore new books, new series, new things. Thank you for letting us get to know a new author.

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  58. Congratulations on this series. Will have to read the book!

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  59. Food is always wonderful. I am looking forward to reading this book. I always enjoy finding new authors so thank you. I appreciate the chance to win this book giveaway.

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  60. The book sounds really interesting. I haven't heard of this series before. I so live that cozy mysteries give the reader recipes.

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  61. Patiently waiting for the 2nd book to come out so I can grab it and add it to my Goodreads book challenge.....100 books read in 2014. Cant wait to see what this book has in store.......

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  62. Thanks for the great recipe --- rae725(at)aol(dot)com

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  63. I want to read this on my next visit to Maine! rachelkb at gmail.com

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  64. Love finding new cozies! And what a great cover. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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  65. Looks like a great cozy mystery. I find so many great authors on this site.

    xzjh04@ gmail.com

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  66. The book looks like a great read!
    Cheryl R.

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  67. Boy, do I love a good cozy mystery! And I love this site!

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  68. I remember going to Forster's Clambakes in Maine when I was a kid. We would stay in Wells at the beach and it was a great summer! Looking forward to the second book in the series!

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  69. I am looking forward to reading your books. Congratulations :) :)
    Mary Meyers Mannella

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  70. I love Maine and books set there. I'll be adding this series to my to read list, for sure! And the bean recipe sounds great. We all love beans!

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  71. Love baked beans - but am so glad you didn't put a charred foot in it! Your series sounds terrific.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  72. I'm looking forward to reading this series. We love visiting Maine, especially the Lobster Festival in Rockland. Can't wait to read the new book!

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  73. Hi Barbara! Welcome to the Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. I'm really excited to start reading your series...the covers to both books look great! Thanks for sharing the recipe, beans are always a hit at my house, so I'll be sure to try these.

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  74. Sounds like a great series - I've added it to my Goodreads list! I'm looking forward to reading both books.

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  75. This book is one I would like to read!

    - Janice Elaine (FB)

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  76. Sounds wonderful!

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  77. That recipe sounds wonderful, and I can't wait to try it! I also can't wait to start reading this series! Congratulations on the new book, and here's to many more to come!

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  78. Sounds like something I would like. And it come with recipes. What else could you ask for. A good book to read and food.

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  79. Being from the North East I have always loved visiting new England I hear Maine i a world all in itself. I havent quite made it that far yet, but give me time. I am excited to learn more about this new book and I might have a new series to go to. Thanks for joining in the conversation.

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  80. This sounds like another exciting and tasty cozy mystery that I can sink my teeth into!! Looking forward to reading the books, whether I win or not!! :-)

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  81. Brenda L B (FB) is excited to enter and is interested in reading this book and author. Thank you!

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  82. I'll add both these books to my To Read list. And the baked beans recipe looks yummy!

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  83. Yummy....a new series for me to read! I'm looking forward to getting both of these books. Thank you!

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  84. Being a New Englander makes this book cover look all the more inviting as lobster and clam bakes are a big part of our summer dining pleasure. I can't wait to read your books Barbara. Would love to win the first in the series and then will get the second one and post my reviews. Much success with your new series. Thank you.
    Cynthia

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  85. I am seriously in love with all things small town Maine, I love that I found this book series and can't wait to start reading it!

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  86. Have never been to Maine, but love that state. I subscribe to 2 New England-based magazines because I love to read about Maine. That means I will also love your book series!!!

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  87. Thanks to everyone who left comments for the drawing! The drawing is now closed and the winner will be selected by Random Number Generator and announced here at the end of the day on Tuesday.

    Thanks to Barbara for taking the time to share her recipe and news of her upcoming release Boiled Over. We're all looking forward to reading the new entry in your Maine Clambake Mystery series, and hearty congrats on your well-deserved award nominations!

    ~ Cleo

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  88. Thanks to all who left comments and entered our Sunday book giveaway. The winner has been announced on the blog. To see the announcement, click here.

    Thanks again to Barbara Ross for being our guest, cheers!

    ~ Cleo

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