From Avery aka Daryl:

As Gouda As Dead is out. Reviews have been great. Thanks to all the bloggers and reviewers on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and elsewhere for your fabulous support!
“As Gouda as Dead by Avery Aames was a solid cozy mystery that had me guessing from the beginning to the end. It was well-written and didn’t give away the identity of ‘whodunit’ until the end of the story."
~ Brooke Blogs
“I have not read any of this series but absolutely love Avery Aames other series under the name of Daryl Wood Gerber. I know I am putting the first 5 of this series on my wish list for sure. This is a super read, with amazing characters, a wonderful town and the writing is stellar."
~Kayt18 on Alibris
“I’d recommend you have some napkins handy while reading this one. The food described in these pages is delicious. I swear I could smell and taste it and my mouth was watering. There are some wonderful recipes included at the end, so be sure to check them out.”
~Laura
To celebrate the launch, AND VALENTINE'S DAY...you do know we have a special Valentine page, over on the left. With special Valentine's menus. See it? Or here's the link: VALENTINE'S PAGE...
And I'm offering another giveaway today - a Say Cheese mug filled with sweet kisses!
See details below.
I loved writing As Gouda As Dead. I got to take Charlotte on another leg of life's journey. She had to face many challenges. As she goes through them, so do I. Which makes me eat more. Or certainly crave cheese more. So I came up with this recipe and attributed it to one of my favorite characters: Tyanne. If you don't know, Tyanne is a good friend of Charlotte. She started out as an assistant at the Cheese Shop and is now the premier wedding planner in town. Tyanne and her family migrated from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Not soon after, her husband dumped her (the rat). But she is resilient and determined to make a better life for herself. No matter what personal dramas she faces, she will survive. I think many of us can learn from Tyanne's strength.
These quickie appetizers are simple and easy. And as always is the case during a book release, they are cheese-y! :)
Enjoy.
These quickie appetizers are simple and easy. And as always is the case during a book release, they are cheese-y! :)
Enjoy.
CHEESE POPS
À la Tyanne
(makes 12)
1 8-ounce container mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons honey
½ cup craisins
½ cup sunflower seeds
8 ounces Gouda, shredded, room
temperature
Put all the
ingredients into a large bowl and mix well. Using your hands, form the mixture
into balls. Insert a white lollipop-style stick. Set the pops, cheese-side
down, on parchment paper and return to the refrigerator to harden.
When ready
to serve, cut a piece of Styrofoam to fit into a serving bowl or basket. Cover
the Styrofoam with a piece of parchment. Make 12 slits in the parchment. Shove
the cheese pops, stick-side down, through the slits into the Styrofoam. Bring
to room temperature and serve.
[Note
from Tyanne: These are so easy to make, even my children could do it. In
fact, it’s a fun activity for families. If you prefer, you can always
substitute the craisins with raisins and the sunflower seeds with a nut of your
choice. Pecans are my favorite. If you’re not a Gouda fan, try another cheese
that you like, for example, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or Havarti. Savor the
flavors!]

And now for that giveaway. I'm giving away a cute Say Cheese mug plus some swag! Tell me, do you try out new recipes when you have company over, or do you test them first?
Leave your email so I can reach you if you win. If you don't feel like leaving an entire email, you can go cryptic and I'll try to figure it out. I am a mystery writer, after all. I will not use your email for any other purpose other than to contact the winner. I'll pick a name tomorrow morning. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me.
Savor the mystery!
PS Take a look at the new cover for my next Cookbook Nook Mystery...below! So cute.
PS Take a look at the new cover for my next Cookbook Nook Mystery...below! So cute.
******************
I'll try new recipes on friends.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I take chances and try new recipes without testing them out first. It doesn't always work, but there is always a backup plan.
ReplyDeletelenikaye @ yahoo . com
I love backup plans! :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I will test out new recipes first and make adjustments (if needed).
ReplyDeletemyrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Aha. Someone who plans ahead. :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Try new recipes with company over. Drdmdri@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteDaring.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
yep, I seem to have a skill with new recipes that it turns out awesome every time
DeleteLove it
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I always test recipes first, way before trying them out on company. It's better that way, in my opinion, to avoid any disasters, haha. EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteAre you also a list maker? I'm a master list maker! :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
OH yes - I live by my lists that I make for everything, haha :)
DeleteBoth. There are some recipes I know will be good and those I try out on company. Others I test first. I just made a crostini with blue cheese and roasted grapes that was in this month's Southern Lliving. I was pretty sure it would be good, but I tried it first.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sue, yum!!!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Forgot my email. suefister109@netzero.net. I also need to tell you that I read all your books. One of my favorite series.
ReplyDeleteThe one time I tried a new recipe for friends we waited almost 3 hours for a souffle that would NOT set! I can't even remember what we ended up eating that night. dm_richards@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHow weird. I wonder why??
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Great recipe zeta@iwon.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I often try new recipes when I'm having friends over, but mostly I use my co-workers to try out new recipes. They have enjoyed many recipes I've found here on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. They'll get a chance to try this one, too.
ReplyDeletebevarcher AT me DOT com
Co-workers. Great idea. They love anything that's spelled "free." :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I usually try them out first. Don't want to be scrambling for something to serve if it doesn't work out!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Well, yes, there's that. No scrambling allowed. Unless you're serving eggs.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
no, i make tried and true recipes so i am not stressed and i know they will like it .
ReplyDeletethank you!
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
Stress-free is very important!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I usually try them first.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
Thanks for chiming in! :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Isn't this cute! I know some people who would love it. They'd rather eat cheese than sweets!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Krista. They're quite fun. I think I could have done a better job of dressing them up and display...a work in progress.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Congrats on all the great reviews! Well deserved.
ReplyDeleteThose look yummy. I usually try them first, since I often do my own tweaking to a recipe after I've tried it the first time.
sallycootie@gmail.com
Thanks. The book has been very well received. Now if everyone who liked it would tell a friend... LOL
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Yay! A super easy recipe. I like them easy. I always try a new recipe on the hubby before I make it for guests. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Hubbies are good for testing things. :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Congratulations and best wishes. I like easy recipes. I try them and practice on my family. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI could always get my son to test things. He's become a good cook because of it.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
In most cases I try out the recipe first. Sometimes I find I'll add something to make it my own. Thanks for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteRobin, I love adding new things.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Thanks for this giveaway and great recipe. I like trying new recipes and test them before hand. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in! :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Experiment on the company! Then watch expressions...
ReplyDeleteKellijo23@gmail.com
LOL!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
It really depends on the dish if I try it out before I have company over. I always try to make a good impression with the snacks/foods I serve so depending on who is coming and their taste (if known) I try to stick with safe then sorry lol!
ReplyDeletenurse_mommy(at)live(dot)com
Safe rather than sorry is important. :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Food on a stick is always fun--especially for kids--but I think adults would find these a fantastic treat to have with wine before a dinner party. Thanks for sharing, Daryl/Avery, and congrats on your new release!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cleo! Turns out lots of people are liking it. Yay!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Try out new recipes first.
ReplyDeleterjprazak6@gmail.com
Thanks, Rebecca!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Rebecca you are the winner of the mug by random number choice. Congrats. I'll write you an email. You'll have 48 hours to contact me.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I try out recipes first. Would be nervous not doing so before cooking things up for guests.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
No fun being nervous.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
What a great idea. It sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI am some times adventuresome (crazy?) and try recipes on guests first.
Hurray! Another wonderful book to enjoy. Best wishes.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I love adventure!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I have made recipes without a test run.
ReplyDeletetraceyr1984@msn.com
A test run. Love that!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I try out recipes before serving to company.
ReplyDeletedotkel50 at comcast dot net
Nice to hear. I toss some that don't work out.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I'm homeless. I have no company, and I have no kitchen.
ReplyDeleteDiana, so sorry.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
My son is the main cook in our house. He watches a lot of shows on the food network. I have never known him to follow a recipe for anything so, I guess he would try new recipes on our guests.
ReplyDeleteForgot my email address... lkish77123 at gmail dot com
DeleteOh, your son sounds like mine! Love cooking shows.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I test new recipes before serving to friends, although I sometimes make my family try them first. cking78503@aol.com
ReplyDeleteFamily is always a good testing ground. They're very honest.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I test them out first. On my husband!! Pp92596 at outlook dot com
ReplyDeleteHubbies are the best!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I do both. Sometimes I really want to try something but I am alone. That's okay. I will eat it for the next week. But I have been wanting to make a cheesy dip but didn't want to eat that all by myself so I made it for a "Meet and Greet" and I got to eat some and didn't bring any home. It was good. So I guess maybe the better answer is if it is something that will be fine to eat all week, I will try it for myself first but if it is a dessert or snack food that I shouldn't have around, I will try it when others will help eat it. The Cheese Pops look good!
ReplyDeleteElaineE246atmsndotcom
That's the best, trying something you want to try but not having to eat the "whole thing."
DeleteBest,
Daryl / Avery
I'll experiment on anyone that comes into my home, including my children's friend who is a C.I.A. trained Chef. I look in the fridge, pantry and freezer to see what's available, then let my mind go free to think up new combinations.
ReplyDeleteI have a fully stocked herb and spice shelf and a nice assortment of fancy sauces with interesting names on them. What I'd really love though is a prep chef to help get it ready and a cleaning crew for when I'm done. LOL
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
What a fun kitchen closet to browse through. Lucky you!! Yes, I'd like a prep chef and cleaning crew, too. I think we all would!!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I always do a test run to avoid ruining the whole evening - shaunie
ReplyDeleteLove to try new recipes, Have a huge cookbook collection so there are plenty to choose from, but not brave enough to try them on company. I usually like to tweek them anyway so that could lead to disaster. Love the Cookbook Nook seriesI can just see myself in that shop with an armful of cookbooks. Keep it up!
ReplyDeletemaryann.noone@gmail.com