Sunday, December 9, 2018

Fast and Easy for the Holidays -- Guest authors Debra Goldstein and Barbara Ross, #giveaway




The period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s is a time for sumptuous feasts, dishes that bring back memories from our childhoods, and dazzling desserts. But in between the holiday meals and all the leftovers, we still gotta eat. Today, two authors of cozy culinary mysteries offer up easy-to-prepare dishes to consume at home or bring to a party when the occasion warrants. Debra H. Goldstein’s new book, One Taste Too Many, is the debut in her Sarah Blair Mystery series. Barbara Ross’s Steamed Open is the seventh book in her Maine Clambake Mysteries. Both books will be released on December 18, and are available for pre-order. Remember, mass market paperbacks can be lovely stocking stuffers, or a relaxing reward to yourself for making it through the holidays.


Barb: Debra, what recipe do you recommend that’s quick and easy during this crazy holiday period? When and why does your sleuth make or eat this dish in the book?

Debra: Sarah’s twin sister, Emily, a gourmet chef, wouldn’t think of taking shortcuts in the kitchen. She makes spinach pie with a thinly sliced onion and diced mushrooms that she browns in oil, drains, and uses in the pie’s layers. When Sarah, a cook of convenience, is afraid she will have to take Emily’s place in a cooking competition, Sarah prepares to demonstrate her own version of spinach pie – one that features Stouffer’s frozen spinach souffle. It definitely is a quick and easy version!


Sarah’s Spinach Pie

Ingredients

1 prepared pie crust (deep dish)
1 can or jar of diced or sliced mushrooms, drained
2 pkgs. Stouffer’s frozen spinach soufflé
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 package Durkee’s French Fried Onions



Instructions for Cooks of Convenience

Spread a layer of cheese in the bottom of the raw pie crust. Spread onions and mushrooms next. Repeat. Retain some cheese and onions to top off the pie. Place thawed soufflé in pie crust and mush it around to cover the layer below. Bake 50 minutes at 350 and then sprinkle remaining cheese and onions on top and finish for 7-10 minutes. For best results, let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Delicious as a leftover.

,


Debra: Barb, same questions to you. What recipe do you recommend that’s quick and easy for holiday gatherings? When and why does your sleuth make or eat this dish in the book?

Barb: The recipe I recommend is this delicious clam dip, a great dish to bring to a gathering or serve to a crowd at your house. In Steamed Open, the sister of one of the murder suspects stress eats it as she discusses the possibility of charges with my amateur sleuth Julia Snowden. In reality it’s my husband’s famous clam dip, his most requested dish whenever we ask hosts, “What can we bring?”

Ingredients

4 6.5-ounce cans minced clams, drained, reserving liquid
1 clove garlic
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
2 Tablespoons chopped chives
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoon reserved clam liquid, plus more as desired
1/2 teaspoon salt


Instructions

Start food processor and drop garlic clove through tube. Process until finely chopped. Remove processor cover and add cream cheese, chives, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, clam liquid, and salt. Process 10-20 seconds until well combined. Turn out into a bowl. Fold in clams and refrigerate for at least two hours. Just before serving, remove from refrigerator and stir, adding more clam juice, if necessary, to desired consistency.


Serve with potato chips and/or corn chips.

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win


About the books:

One Taste Too Many

For culinary challenged Sarah Blair, there’s only one thing scarier than cooking from scratch—murder!

Married at eighteen, divorced at twenty‑eight, Sarah Blair reluctantly swaps her luxury lifestyle for a cramped studio apartment and a law firm receptionist job in the tired town she never left. With nothing much to show for the last decade but her feisty Siamese cat, RahRah, and some clumsy domestic skills, she’s the polar opposite of her bubbly twin, Emily—an ambitious chef determined to take her culinary ambitions to the top at a local gourmet restaurant.

Sarah knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by Emily’s award-winning rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah wanted by the woman who broke up her marriage and Emily wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate worse than death—being in the kitchen!


Steamed Open

It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill?
 
Beachcombers, lighthouse buffs, and clammers are outraged after Frick puts up a gate in front of his newly inherited mansion. When Julia urges him to reconsider, she’s the last to see him alive—except the person who stabs him in the neck with a clam rake. As she pores through a long list of suspects, Julia meets disgruntled employees, rival heirs, and a pair of tourists determined to visit every lighthouse in America. They all have secrets, and Julia will have to work fast to expose the guilty party—or see this season’s clam harvest dry up for good.




I

51 comments:

  1. Good food and something to read...perfect for the holidays :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Debra, I love the cat! He is gorgeous! Barb, I always love your book covers! Thank you both for sharing these recipes! I am always looking for quick, easy recipes. Thank you the book giveaway.
    debprice60@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barb and I think it is a scream that we write culinary mysteries, but our kitchen efforts are more limited than our words. Still, the convenience of these recipes are enjoyed by both of us. As for the cat, Kensington did a great job with the cover...and I can’t say enough about Barb’s series — each book is better than the last!

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Deb! I've been so happy with my covers.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. We hope you will enjoy the recipes (and the books)...thanks for leaving a comment today.

      Delete
  4. Two different but both delicious sounding recipes. I will be trying them both. Who doesn't love easy but yummy when you are running to and fro during the holidays!

    Two amazing books, both of which I would LOVE the opportunity to read. "Steamed Open" is by an author whose book I adore. "One Taste Too Many" by an author whose writing I can't wait to explore.

    Thank you for the fabulous chance!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay, appreciate your comment. Two different authors, two easy recipes. Two different books, but definitely two opportunities to enjoy.

      Delete
  5. Thank you for hosting Barb and me today. Love sharing out culinary masterpieces and take on cooking.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had to chuckle at the sheer panic that Sarah must have experienced in the face of having to take Emily's place. That would make for fun reading!

    As for the clam dip, I haven't eaten it in far too long. It is funny how one can forget a great thing until reminded somehow. Frankly, I actually did a stress eating session of some, many years ago, before a final exam in college.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so funny because the scene in Steamed Open is a stress-eating scene, too.

      Delete
  7. I’m looking forward to reading both of these books! I think one reason I love culinary cozies is because I am not the best cook in the world! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly. The food and cooking are a part of the fantasy, just like the little town--and, of course, the murder.

      Delete
  8. The books sound captivating and special. The food would be greatly enjoyed along with the reading. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think I would stress eat the Spinach Pie in a heartbeat - my spousal unit would cheerfully hand me the fork. The SU doesn't "do" spinach (it's a weed) or seafood (it all tastes like iodine). Bonus for me!

    pjcoldren[at]tm.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So interesting how everyone's taste buds are different-like the whole cilantro-tastes-like-soap thing.

      Delete
  10. I am a fan of the Maine Clam bake series and have been patiently waiting for your book for 6 months. I love the name RahRah!! I have named one puppy and 2 kittens Rah Rah and all 3 flew out the door at the rescue i volunteer with!! Get so many comments on the name!!! So glad to have another series to read!!
    Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful books, great post and appetizing food. What more would we want. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks, everyone for the welcome and good luck with the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  13. They look like great books and that recipe looks delicious! JL_Minter(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Recipes look delish. Great to go with a good read. My son will love the clam dish. I think I'm going to figure out how to combine. Thanks for a lovely post. deepotter(at)peoplepc(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Both the clam dip & spinach pie look & sound tasty. I like quick & easy recipes & these will come in handy at other times during the year, too.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fabulous books which I definitely want to read and quick and easy recipes are perfect for the holiday season especially. Good luck in everything ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you both for sharing this great sounding recipes. I'm looking forward to trying them and reading your books! Happy holidays! ioncookbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the recipes and writing the books.
    kckendler at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the recipes and I’d love to read the books! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. The recipes look delicious, and the books sound great. I love the gorgeous cat on the cover. Thank you for this chance! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Welcome to you both! This may be the first time we've hosted a pair of authors interviewing each other -- double the fun!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nothing like reading over the Holidays thank you for the recipes and the fun of trying new things.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. The recipe sounds delicious! I'll have to try it. And thank you for the contest!

    mlduffer(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  24. Two great sounding books. I'm not much for cooking anymore, when I'm hungry I want to eat now, not in an hour.
    Becky Prazak
    rjprazak6@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Debra, love the art style of the cover. Good looking cat.

    Barbara, I love Maine (we have a house in Ellsworth that we don't get to enjoy nearly enough) and your books put me right there.

    libbydodd at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love that series, can't wait to read the new one ! trwilliams 69 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great recipes! The spinach pie looks yummy and you can't go wrong with a great dip! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love the Maine clambake series. The other one sounds interesting. Thanks for the recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I appreciate the quick and easy recipes. I do a LOT of baking during the holidays and it's nice to have something that can just be thrown together. Both books sound delightful. Thank you for the chance. aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love recipes featuring shortcuts! Thanks for sharing these.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love the quick recipes. Thanks for the chance
    Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Both books look great, and the recipes look good.

    kaye.killgore(at)comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  33. Steamed open sounds awesome. Can’t wait to read it. They both sound great. Delicious looking recipe. Thank you for the chance.donamaekutska7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Both books are on my TBR list, can't wait to read both of them. Like the quick and easy recipes.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've never had spinach pie before, but that looks really good. Thank you! mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Boy those look good and I think I may actually be able to make them. Thanks for the recipes and the chance to win. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  37. Spinach pie sounds absolutely wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. We love all things spinach, and that pie looks wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity.
    browninggloria@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Yummy! Please enter me.
    Wendy
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Excited to read both books!
    kkcochran (at) Hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Perfect reads & food for the holidays! doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh, my goodness! You had me hooked on the new series simply from the Siamese cat on the cover. We have had several over the years. I am a fan of the Clambake series. I need to take a dish to a quilting gathering this week, and the clam dip sounds delicious.
    gnluciow(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete