Sunday, February 14, 2016

Guest Barbara Ross serves up True Love, Fish Tacos, and a #bookgiveaway


True Love Fish Tacos for Valentines
by Barbara Ross

When I found out my Mystery Lovers Kitchen guest post would run on Valentine’s Day, I spent a lot of time consternating about which recipe from my new Maine Clambake Mystery, Fogged Inn, I would offer up. I needed something romantic. Nothing seemed to suit.

But then I realized one of my recipes had a very romantic backstory. On the day before Valentine’s last year, my daughter Kate called us to announce her engagement. Her fiancé, Luke, is a wonderful young man, a research scientist Kate was introduced to by one of her high school friends, who had married one of his high school friends. And so a match was made.

Kate’s not much of a cook. During her years in Manhattan and London I used to joke that she stored her sweaters in her oven. But a return to Boston and a grad student’s budget finally got her into her kitchen. Meanwhile, across the country, Luke was also in grad school and using his limited spare time to perfect this fish taco recipe among others. He generously shared it with me for Fogged Inn.

They’ll be married in May.

(Leslie says: And aren't they just as cute as they can be?)

Giveaway!

To celebrate true love and Valentine’s Day, two lucky readers will win an autographed copies of Fogged Inn (to be released on February 23rd). Leave a comment below by midnight, Monday, February 15th, to be entered.   

Luke’s Fish Tacos

Sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/2 small shallot, finely chopped
1 medium jalapeño, diced
Juice of one medium lime
 Salt and pepper to taste
2 cilantro sprigs

Taco and Toppings
8 corn tortillas, warmed
2 jalapeños, chopped
1/2 shallot, finely chopped 
2 tomatoes, chopped
Chopped cilantro sprigs
1 lime cut into wedges for squeezing
1 small head radicchio, chopped

 Fish
1 pound any seasonal white fish
2 tablespoons butter

Seasoning
1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt




To make the sauce
Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix. Prepare at least 1 hour in advance and let sit in the refrigerator. (If you have leftover sauce, it makes for a great chip dip!)

To make the fish
Cook fish in butter and ½ teaspoon of the seasoning until the fish  is opaque. Squeeze lime juice from one wedge on the fish, then break up the fillet.

To serve
Serve fish on warmed corn tortillas with toppings and sauce.



Serves: 4

About Fogged Inn: An autumn chill has settled over Busman's Harbor, Maine, but Julia Snowden is warming up the town by offering lobster stew at the local diner. When her landlord discovers a dead body in the walk-in refrigerator, Julia must figure out who ordered up a side of murder.

Nothing's colder than a corpse--especially one stashed inside a sub-zero fridge. The victim spent his last night on earth dining at the restaurant bar, so naturally Julia finds herself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Lost in the November fog, however, is who'd want to kill the unidentified stranger--and why. It might have something to do with a suspicious group of retirees and a decades-old tragedy to which they're all connected. One thing's for sure: Julia's going to make solving this mystery her early bird special…

Barbara Ross is the author of the Maine Clambake Mysteries, Clammed Up, Boiled Over, Musseled Out and Fogged Inn. Clammed Up was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel and was a finalist for the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Barbara blogs with a wonderful group of Maine mystery authors at Maine Crime Writers and with a group of writers of New England-based cozy mysteries at Wicked Cozy Authors.


She loves to hear from readers. You can find her at her website at www.maineclambakemysteries.com , or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barbaraannross , on Twitter @barbross, or on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/barbaraannross

88 comments:

  1. These look so yummy!!! And thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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  2. Love the backstory and recipe! EMS591@aol.com

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  3. The recipe sounds wonderful! Best wishes to your daughter and her fiancee. Thanks for the chance to win. poohwine1217@gmail.com

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  4. Thank you for the recipe, and I wish all the best for your daughter and her future hubby.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. I am allergic to fish. My son LOVES fish tacos. I am giving this recipe to him- he loves to cook!!
    A May wedding will be beautiful!!
    the3beersus@yahoo.com

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  6. We LOVE tacos but have not tried 'fish' tacos - looking forward to trying them soon! Congratulations and best wishes to your daughter and her fiancé.

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  7. Thank you for the giveaway. suefoster109@ net zero.net

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  8. Aww, congrats to your daughter--your family will have a wonderful spring. I just started experimenting with fish tacos, these look delicious. Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. What a wonderful back story on the recipe. That will make a wonderful family story to tell the grandchildren. bevarcher AT me DOT com

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  10. Sounds like a great recipe. I never would have thought to put fish into tacos (although I've probably eaten fish tacos in restaurants). I'll add it to my list!

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  11. I would love to give those a try. Don't think my daughter would go for it though. Book looks really good as well.
    Della at deepotter@peoplepc.com

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  12. Congratulations to Kate and Luke! I love fish tacos and will definitely try the recipe. I can't wait for Fogged Inn...thanks for the chance to win a copy. cking78503@aol.com

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  13. This would be a perfect title to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for the recipe and a chance to win a copy. elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  14. Love fish. Love tacos. Love this post. Happy Valentine's Day to you and Bill, Barb, and to Kate and Luke, too!

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  15. Happy Valentine's Day! Looking forward to reading this book and trying the fish taco recipe. dbahn@iw.net

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  16. Good for a light supper. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  17. Thank you for the chance! Happy Valentine's Day! Good luck to everyone!

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  18. Isn't this the sweetest story? And a terrific recipe! Thank you, Barbara, for joining us today!

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  19. I am really (!) enjoying your series and I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Fogged In. I hope that Lobster Stew recipe is included! 😉 That looks like a lovely (& simple, thank goodness!) fish taco recipe. Now, please excuse my ignorance but what is considered "any seasonal white fish"? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anne-

      We've used haddock, snapper, grouper, any fish that is fresh, as long a it's a light, crumbly fish.

      I'm so glad you are enjoying the Maine Clambake Mysteries!

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  20. Tacos are a favourite summer food and I will certainly try this variation; another great recipe from a tempting week of specials! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of "Fogged Inn."
    Nancy R ...... jw.nl.reid@sympatico.ca

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  21. Thanks, everybody! I realized I was serving up #mystery #lovers and #kitchen!

    Hope you enjoy the book and recipe and good luck with the giveaway!

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  22. I look forwarding to continuing with this fun series!

    mommy_to_zoe(at)hotmail.com

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  23. Yummy, great way to get more fish into our diets. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  25. Food sounds good, book sounds better, thanks.
    nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  26. I have never had fish tacos but they sound good! l.bergh@sbcglobal.net

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  27. this recipe looks delicious, thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book!! Happy Valentine's Day to you :) darholley1@aol.com

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  28. Your book sounds great! The food sounds good! Thank you for a chance to win! crossxjo@hotmail.com

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  29. I love fish tacos and this recipe looks delicious! Thanks for sharing it and for the giveaway~ Happy Valentines Day! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  30. Sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance. sclickner@juno.com

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  31. Fish tacos are wonderful and delectable. Thanks for this lovely feature. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  32. Official entry for Cheryl Harding Smith. Apparently, a cyber-grinch won't let her enter!

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  33. I've never had fish tacos.
    sgiden at verizon.net

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  34. Congrats!! Love the recipes. Looks like great cozy mystery.

    xzjh04 gmail.com

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  35. Thank you! nelson_ee@yahoo.com

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  36. I can't wait to try this recipe. I love this series!!! Happy Valentine's Day!!!
    yellowwyytch@yahoo.com

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  37. Fish tacos sound like a pleasant change from all the heavy food we eat this time of year.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  38. I love fish tacos! I will admit, however, that we lived in California for almost 4 years before I mustered up the courage to try them - lol! We've been back on the East Coast for quite some time now, and they're hard to find, but when I do see them on a menu I usually order them! :-). Congratulations on your forthcoming new release! :-) Nicole nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com

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  39. The delightful book combined with the delicious fish tacos which are a favorite of mine, since fish is what I enjoy greatly would be a great treat. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. I've always turned up my nose at even the thought of FISH in tacos, but, now that I've read your recipe, I'm going to try them out. Thanks so much for a chance to win!
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  41. Mom fish tacos sound good. Thanks for sharing. Firelily001(at)gmail(dot)com

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  42. I love fish tacos and this recipe sounds amazing, I have got to try it. Thanks for the chance to win and the recipe!
    momzillasteel at gmail dot com

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  43. Fish tacos...Yum! Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials and your new release!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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  44. Great recipe and even better series! Thank you for the chance to win. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  45. Congratulations to your daughter and her fiance. This sounds like it would be an interesting recipe to try. Thanks for sharing. Thank you as well for the chance to win what I'm is going to be a great addition to this series.

    robbfan141729@yahoo.com

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  46. Happy Valentine's to all. I would love to read this book. I really like the storyline.

    cenya2 at Hotmail dot com

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  47. So happy to hear about your daughter and their May wedding and the path that led to this day. I have never had a fish taco in my life. I am not a Mexican food water due to some previous allergic reactions so just stay away from tacos but these sound like something my grandgirls will eat. Thank you for the great post and recipe and to tell you how delighted I would be with your book. Thank you.
    Cynthia

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  48. So happy to hear about your daughter and their May wedding and the path that led to this day. I have never had a fish taco in my life. I am not a Mexican food water due to some previous allergic reactions so just stay away from tacos but these sound like something my grandgirls will eat. Thank you for the great post and recipe and to tell you how delighted I would be with your book. Thank you.
    Cynthia

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  49. The recipe looks delicious! I love this series and can't wait to read this next book. Rencw@verizon.net

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  50. Happy Valentine's Day! The recipe sounds and looks delicious. Thank you for this chance. areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  51. Good luck, all! And thanks to so many for kind words about the series.

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  52. Any day is a good day for tacos. Congrats to your daughter and thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  53. Sounds like something my kids would like. pwtish171@gmail.com

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  54. CONGRATS to your daughter! Happy Valentine's Day, too. Can't wait to read Fogged Inn, too.

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  55. Oh no, not the retirees!! Now I have to read it to see what happens. But retirees are such good people, well most of us.
    jawdance@yahoo.com Congrautlations to you daughter!

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  56. Sounds wonderful. And congratulations to your daughter. Hugs

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  57. Sounds wonderful. And congratulations to your daughter. Hugs

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  58. Have tried shrimp tacos before but not fish. Congratulations to your daughter.

    Pugpower63@gmail.com

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  59. Please tell Luke thank you for the Fish Taco Recipe. As a California, I love fish Taco and order every chance I get. This recipe sounds like something I can tackle. Love this series and would love to win Fogged INN and congratulations on a wedding coming up. Ruth Nixon ruthenixon@sbcglobal.net

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  60. As much as my family and I love tacos, I've never made (or eaten) a fish taco. Mostly because my family won't eat fish. But these sound yummy! Thanks for sharing your future son-in-law's recipe and for the giveaway! I love this series and can't wait to read Fogged Inn!

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  61. I have to laugh as we has heart shaped pizza for dinner last night and we are having tacos this evening (our granddaughters selections. I appreciate the drawing. Thank you. Happy Valentine's Day. servedogmom@yahoo.com

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  62. Thanks for the recipe! Love fish tacos and can't wait to make these.

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  63. Thanks for the recipe! Love fish tacos and can't wait to make these.

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  64. Any meal shared with a loved one can be romantic, or even, lacking a Significant Other, shared with one's Significant Self. <3

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  65. Yummy recipe and a good book for Valentine's Day! Thanks for a chance to enter.

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  66. Looking forward to reading this whether I win or not. Cheers@marjimmanor.com

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  67. BTW, I LOVE Barb's books, and am awaiting FOGGED IN as eagerly as the rest of you!

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  68. Great recipe. Really enjoy reading about Maine in this series, looking forward to reading this book.
    diannekc8@gmail.com

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  69. Have tried shrimp tacos before but not fish. Congratulations to your daughter.

    Pugpower63@gmail.com

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  70. I'm not a big fan of fish tacos but my husband will love this recipe. This book has just jumped to the top of my list of books to read and it comes out on my birthday. I can't wait. utaker555@gmail.com

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  71. I love books that take place on the coast of Maine! Elisabeth Ogilvie is one of my all time favorite authors.

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  72. I like fish tacos but I eat mine without the sauce.
    The book sounds great. I'd love to read it.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  73. The book and the recipes sound wonderful! Thanks.
    catslady5ataoldotcom

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  74. I am really looking forward to this next book!! Can't wait!! :)

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  75. Delicious-looking recipe which I will try soon! Hope to see you at Malice Domestic in April in Bethesda.

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  76. Thanks for the chance to win. sable677 at yahoo dot com

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  77. Fish tacos aren;t my fav I used to live in Ca and tried them several times at diff places but replace the fish with pork or beef and I love them. Your books looks so good would love to win! ptclayton2@aol.com

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  78. would love to win speee1dy at yahoo dot com

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  79. Thanks for the recipe and for the chance to win your book! stonearosa@gmail.com

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  80. I always love it when the body's temperature has been 'played' with in some way. It makes solving the murder's timeline trickier.
    jenne.turner@unt.edu

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  81. Congratulations to our winner, Taryn Lee! Thanks to all of you for playing along, and a huge thanks to our wonderful guest, Barbara Ross.

    And all best wishes to Kate and Luke!

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