From Daryl:
I received some lovely infused oils for Christmas a year ago, but I ran out of my favorite lemon-infused oil in about 6 months. I used the others (one with herbs, another with lavender), but I always missed the one with lemon the most. So I decided to search for a way to make it. I wasn't sure I could accomplish the task. What I did have on hand was the empty bottle with its perfect spout and lemons.
Well, success! This recipe is so easy!! I have used the oil on vegetables and fish and chicken. If you have a lemon tree, even better. I don't. Mine bit the dust about 2 years ago. I'm not sure what I did wrong. Maybe because it was confined in a pot?? I replanted it in the garden, but that didn't save it...
Or did it? I see a sprout of a lemon tree coming up where I'd planted the tree. It's about three feet tall. One long stem. Will it ultimately prevail and become a full-fledged tree? I'll keep you posted!
Don't you love resilience?
Giveaway below!
How to make
lemon-infused oil
2 lemons
8 ounces olive oil
Scrub your lemons quite thoroughly before peeling them. Peel your lemons avoiding any of the white
pith. (This is hard to do, but you can do it.)
Place the lemon peel with the olive oil into a saucepan and
cook over a very low heat (simmer) for 10-15 minutes. Do not let the mixture
boil. You want the flavors to infuse slowly.
Remove the pan from the heat and allow the oil to cool down
completely.
Take out the peel and pour the oil, through a funnel, into a
glass jar or bottle. Seal with a cork.
I used the oil to grill chopped zucchini and added a few herbs. Yummy!
Last week I did a cover reveal for the upcoming release of PRESSING THE ISSUE, the 6th Cookbook Nook Mystery. I'll be telling you more about that release in the weeks to come.
Meanwhile...
I'd like to reveal the cover for the 2nd in the French Bistro Mysteries, SOUFFLÉ OF SUSPICION. I'm so excited about this release. It will debut in July. The month before (June), the paperback version of the first in the series, A DEADLY ÉCLAIR comes out. Whee!
Busy year for me!
The buoyant mood at Bistro Rousseau
deflates when Chef Camille’s sister, Renee, turns up dead in the chef’s
kitchen, and Mimi Rousseau must tease the real killer out of a mélange of
menacing characters.
Crush Week in Nouvelle Vie is a madhouse—in a good way.
Tourists pour into town for the pressing of the Napa Valley’s world-renowned
grapes and all the town’s businesses get a nice lift, including Bistro Rousseau
and Maison Rousseau. Mimi is raising the ante this year with a Sweet Treats
Festival, a wonderland of croissants, cakes, tarts, and soufflés crafted with
expert care by the area’s top talents.
Chef Camille’s sister Renee is managing the festival with a
cast-iron fist, upsetting everyone, including her sister. Which is bad for
Camille when Renee turns up dead in the chef’s kitchen. Mimi is still building
her business, so her first course of action is to whip up answers and
catch the unsavory perpetrator before Camille takes a dusting and gets burned.
Click here to preorder.
*
Pressing the Issue, the 6th Cookbook Nook Mystery, will come out Feb 20 in ebook and print on demand. You can order the ebook now and the POD on the day of release. PREORDER NOW
GIVEAWAY
A DEADLY ÉCLAIR, the 1st in the French Bistro Mysteries, is coming November 2017. Can Mimi clear her name before the killer turns up the heat? Click here to order.
GRILLING THE SUBJECT, the 5th Cookbook Nook Mystery, is out!
The Wild West Extravaganza has come to Crystal Cove.
Click here to order.
FOR CHEDDAR OR WORSE,
the 7th Cheese Shop Mystery is out!
the 7th Cheese Shop Mystery is out!
Finally there's going to be a cheese festival in Providence!
Click to order.
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When a fairytale fantasy night becomes a nightmare,
I have never been. A friend entered triple chocolate cheese pie. I gave her the recipe that I got from Joanne Fluke. She won. I heard about it from another person. I thought it was funny. suefoster109 at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteTriple chocolate cheese pie? I can just imagine! Thanks, Sue. ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never entered a baking contest but I've been to one. I'm proud to say my granddaughter was brave enough to enter a 4H baking contest & she placed 2nd! I was so excited for her I bought her a KitchenAid mixer to help with the cake she chose to bake, a Lady Baltimore. For two weeks we had samples of Lady Baltimore cakes every day! lnchudej@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWow, Linda. A Lady Baltimore. Poor you to have to sample and sampel. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteI'm not sure if this counts, but I've entered my blondie batches in my local county fair in the past, and have won 1st and 2nd places :) EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteOf course that counts, Liz! Congrats. They sound delicious! ~ Daryl
DeleteNo, I've never entered a baking contest. I remember those from when I was a young girl and we went to the fair. My daughter is a great cupcake baker. Her cupcakes are so delicious and I've helped her out when she has a big order for a wedding or party. I mostly wash the dishes. LOL
ReplyDeleteKay, yum. I wish I were a better frosting maker. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never entered but have been to the county fair for the different baked dessert entries. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDoward, county fairs can be so much fun. The aromas. Yum! ~ Daryl
DeleteI have entered at the local fair (Colt Show) and won first place for my breads and Grand Champion for my potato bread one year and my Breadmaker Brioche another year. moodiesmum(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWow, Raquel, a master breadmaker. Go girl! ~ Daryl
DeleteRaquel, you won this giveaway! I'll contact you via email. Congrats.
DeleteYes, I entered pickles. No, wait, that was Aunt Bee. ckmbeg@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteRiley, LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never entered because I know I don't have the talent but I enjoy attending and seeing the delectable entries. A friend can bake anything and wins each year. So creative. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteTraveler, isn't it amazing how we each are granted different talents. I bet you like visiting your friend on occasion (hoping she bakes). :) ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never entered or attended such competitions. However, I love watching the cooking and baking competitions on tv.
ReplyDeleteI have also never used an infused oil in my cooking. Can't wait to give it a try! Thanks for the simple recipe.
little lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Lil, you are most welcome. I like watching the competitions on TV, too. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have in a roundabout way. A couple of years ago where my daughter works had a cooking competition. You could bring in any recipe you wanted and co-workers voted for the best. I fixed her dish and she won. I also have a lemon tree with one just about ripe lemon. pwtish171@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteTrish, congrats. Always nice to be recognized. ~ Daryl
DeleteI entered a squash casserole in one of our local fairs and one first prize.
ReplyDeleteBecky, must be a good one! Good for you. ~ Daryl
DeleteOops forgot my email address: brichardson0056(at)yahoo(dot)com.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about the remaining lemon peels. Wonder how they would work on/in a roasted chicken?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, Libby. You mean once they are removed from the oil? Maybe they would. Just not sure. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteYes, after they've infused the oil. Seems like there should be a use for them.
DeleteI've never been to a baking festival or contest. Maybe one day I can. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteConnie, you'd have fun. ~ Daryl
DeleteI remember as a teen I went with a friend's family to the Dutchess County Fair. I went into the tent where the baking contest had been held and saw the various entries on display. I don't need to bake anymore. I have 2 daughters and 2 daughters in law. They do baking on demand. We also have an adopted son who is a C.I.A. Graduate baker who if asked very nicely will prepare desserts for the Thanksgiving Feast.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm your lucky winner I'd like a copy of the first French Bistro mystery.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
Nora, what a talented son. Lucky you! And lucky him to be adopted by you. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never entered but went to the State Fair. I would say that when are church had a get together it was like a baking contest as the ladies tried to out do each other.
ReplyDeleteworwichistory101@hotmail.com
Ha, ha, Ann, how true! :) ~ Daryl
DeleteNo, I've never entered any baking contests. The closest I've come is donating cookies to the church bake sale and seeing how well they sold and who wanted the recipe!
ReplyDeleteThat lemon infused oil looks like a winner!
Deletepatdupuy@yahoo.com
Pat, I did the same thing when I was a girl and baking cakes. I'd put mine up for the "cake walk" at the local fair and see how well it sold. ~ Daryl
DeleteI haven’t been. I love to bake but I’d rather live vicariously through book/movie/TV characters or others on TV for the competitions.
ReplyDeleteLiving vicariously is a lot of fun, Laura. And you can travel anywhere with anyone. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteMy family is based in Napa and the Coppla CIA institute has food festivals! We have enjoyed a spectacular French dessert show where all manner of wonderful pasteries were demonstrating.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I must get up there to attend that. Sounds wonderful. ~ Daryl
DeleteYou deserve a nice Napa get a way !
DeleteI have never but my daughter who is a cook was in SF at the hotel she cooked for and a few of the cooks from the cooking channel were there and my daughter was overwhelmed it was cool she said to meet them !
ReplyDeleteptclayton2@aol.com
PT, how cool for her. It is always a surprise and delight (I would think) to meet those you hold in high regard. ~ Daryl
DeleteI haven't but my sister entered her brown bag apple pie into our county fair. It looked and smelled delicious.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
Maryann, I have to admit, I'm dying to know what a brown bag apple pie recipe might be. Care to share?? ~ Daryl
DeleteIn school we always had to enter cookies in the town street fair. I made chocolate chip and cut out cookies.I have made oatmeal cookies that has pudding in the mix that makes them soft.
ReplyDeleteOoh, pudding in oatmeal cookies? Nice touch. ~ Daryl
DeleteNever had but got my chicken salad recipe accepted into a Gooseberry Cookbook...
ReplyDeleteKelly Reece
What fun! ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never entered a baking contest, but have attended them at the county fair. The entries all look so amazing. Definitely a talent worth cultivating. Hope your lemon tree comes back to life.
ReplyDeleteI hope it does, too, Barb. ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never entered a baking contest but I've been to one. I'm proud to say my grandmother made a fruitcake. We candied the fruit ourselves. She 'aged' it wrapped in brandy soaked cheese cloth Took first place. My carrot cake took second. This was back in the 80's. She said cooking for friends & family was her thing. She entered because we all encouraged her & we were to keep our mouths shut cuz once was enough. I never entered again, no fun without Grams. She died about a year later. I had the recipe but it went missing along with 5 other boxes when we moved a few yrs ago. But love watching the contests on TV. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com
ReplyDeleteAh, sad that the recipe disappeared. I remember brandy-soaking fruit for a cake. Maybe you could ask online to see if anyone else has the same recipe (given what you remember)? ~ Daryl
DeleteI need to back up a bit. I did enter once with my granny
ReplyDeleteAww.
DeleteI've never entered one before, but my cooking skills are only so-so. I can't wait to try out the lemon oil though! sunbeltwd@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteChrista, it's so easy. ~ Daryl
DeleteI’ve never been to one or entered one. That would be a lot of fun to go to one! I love to bake, but I’m not sure about putting anything in a baking contest.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? If there was a gluten-free baking contest, I might try. LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteNo I have never been to one or entered one. It would be neat to check one out though.
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you do. ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never been able to attend a baking festival. We do love going to the baking/canning competition at the local and state fairs. I've even given consideration into entering but haven't done so yet.
ReplyDelete2clowns at arkansas dot net
Canning competition? I had no idea, Kay. ~ Daryl
DeleteI was part of a chili cook-off at our church. I was runner up, only because they didn't think it was fair for me to win! I've considered entering my peanut brittle in the state fair, but they want to have the recipe and I am not ready to share that!!
ReplyDeleteAnd why wasn't it fair for you to win? Are you the pastor's wife? :) I love peanut brittle. ~ Daryl
DeleteNo, just entered a motorcycle chili cook off. Wasa lot of fun. You just brought it made & we did a taste off.
ReplyDeleteMotorcycle chili cook off. Hm, Kathleen. Does it have to be made on the back of a motorcyle? Or are only motorcyle drivers allowed to enter? Sounds intriguing. ~ ~ Daryl
DeleteI entered my carrot cake in a contest many years ago and won $50. I enjoy going to county fairs and looking at the baking enteries.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lemon infused oil recipe. I’ll be trying it soon.
donnaing1(at)gmail(dot)com
A few years ago alarge newspaper that has a wide circulation in Kentucky asked for reader recipes so that they could publish a cookbook. I had two recipes selected and all of the winners were invited to a luncheon in Lexington and our meal included the different dishes that were featured in the cookbook. Not quite a cooking competition but it was fun tasting the different recipes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your giveaway.
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Connie, sounds amazing and I'm thinking this might fit very nicely into my new book. Hmmm. ~ Daryl
DeleteNever entered a contest but, one day I spent the whole afternoon baking molasses crinkles and, at the end of the day, there was nothing to show for my efforts! My husband and his buddy and all the kids (7) ate every last one as soon as they came out of the oven! So, guess that was a winner? ljhallcps@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHa! The sign of a great cookie, Linda! Way to go. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never been to or entered in a baking contest. I do like watching them on TV, it's amazing what they make in a designated time period.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Dianne, it's the time that would make me sweat. ~ Daryl
Deletecooking competitions i have watched live, but never specifically baking, and never entered.
ReplyDeletethe last one i watched was an iron chef influenced competition that took place in a park (so limited cooking options). it was a hoot.
sara - UCLASara at yahoo dot com
To have it in a park is intriguing. What a challenge. Sara, thanks. ~ Daryl
DeleteI'm not near confident enough to enter anything I've cooked or baked into a contest and I've not attended one, although it sounds fun and kitchen-inspiring! Thanks for the chance to win! I'm looking forward to starting your new series! awilcox1182@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAmanda, thanks. ~ Daryl
DeleteNo I have never been in a baking contest would love to go watch one tho. Thanks for this. Tinagay1212@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteTina, nice to see you here. ~ Daryl
DeleteWhen I was in 4-H, I was in a speech demonstration contest. It didn't go well at all! I was demonstrating how to make cookies, and I forgot the eggs at home!!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, oops! Need those eggs. LOL I've done that. ~ Daryl
Deletelindaherold999@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a baking competition, but I did win a chili contest once. :-) I love your infused oil recipe, I'm definitely going to try it! Last year I made homemade vanilla extract - very simple and fun! Nicole nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteNicole, chili counts. Guess I should have said "cooking anything" contest. LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never entered a baking competition but have been to the local fair often and checked out the ribbon winning goodies and all goodies in fact. My Momused to win ribbons at the Fair
ReplyDeleteRobyn, isn't it fun to browse? ~ Daryl
DeleteThe only competitions I've entered recently are my church's annual Chocolate Sunday chocolate fest and Pi(e) Sunday. Mmmm!! I've made chocolate love bug cupcakes, hot fudge pie, Samoas pie ... Haven't won yet, but got most attractive entry with the love bug cupcakes.
ReplyDeleteSharon, what are chocolate love bug cupcakes? So cute! ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never been to any competition but have watched the British baking show.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that one, Patty. Must tune in. ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never been to a baking competition, but I've been to a chili cook-off. I've been to a lot of state and county fairs with baking entries--the county fairs are especially fun, with lots of entries from kids. I love the recipe for the lemon-infused oil. That's a great gift idea to give several flavors, like you received. Thanks for the recipe and for the giveaway! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteKara, these would make great gifts. ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never been to one before. My kids are wondering what's up because I've taken to baking recently. I usually balk at cooking or baking.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
Good for you to take it up, Linda. ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never been or entered a baking contest. Would love to be a judge. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteJana, judging is hard, but I'm sure it's tasty! ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never been to a baking competition, but I watch the Great British Baking Show on PBS and own the first 4 seasons shown in the US on DVD. I wish they'd put the earlier seasons on here!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Texas I made a variety of infused oils. I should do so again. I never tried lemon... Good luck with your tree!
cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
Kat, thanks. wishing my tree good luck, too. Haven't watched the British show. Must search for it. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never been to or entered a baking contest.. I have a tendency to not "bake well"... even ready make cookies. I don't know what it is, I don't have that talent, I would love to get better some day 💜
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance.
lilyanngill56(at)gmail(dot)com
Lily-Ann, I think it's all about confidence and knowing your oven. wishing you luck in the future. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteI've been to Festivals but I never entered. Thanks for your great generosity. I love these mysteries & I would love a chance to win, I have a birthday Feb. 8th & I will ne the big 70 that would be a great giveaway to win. lindamay4852@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLinda, happy early birthday! ~ Daryl
DeleteMy mom and I did a gingerbread house competition when I was little. I love watching competitions on TV and my family always tells me I should enter. However, I am a busy wife and mom, with a full time job and in school full time. Maybe in the future.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to a baking festival or contest. I don't need to win since I have read all of those books. I do love the recipes and I really prefer to bake over cooking. And I love your books.
ReplyDeleteAw, Elaine, thanks for chiming in! ~ Daryl
DeleteI've never entered a baking contest. I've watched movies and read books with baking contest, but that's as close as I've gotten. jawdance@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteJudy, I get it. LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteI have watched baking contests on rv but never participated in one. I have seen them at fairs, and my sister-in-law won with her cheesecake one year.
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria(at) hotmail(dot) com
I've never entered a baking contest, except for when I was in 4-H and that was many years ago. I have entered some recipe contests sponsored by a local newspaper and won a prize for one of the recipes I submitted. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net.
ReplyDeleteThe winner of this giveaway is Raquel. I'll be in touch via email. Congrats! And thanks to all for chiming in. ~ Daryl
ReplyDeleteNo I have never been or entered a cooking contest! Your books look very good. Would love to read them.
ReplyDeletefaithdcreech at gmail dot com