No fooling. I really am offering a book giveaway. See below.
As we say goodbye to Ellie Alexander as a regular, please welcome the fabulous Leslie Karst. Leslie will be joining us starting in May. Leslie writes the popular Sally Solari Culinary Mysteries. We'll make a proper introduction when Leslie posts her first blog for you.
And, now, back to it being April 1.
No fooling. There is really something called a Hulk Muffin. How do I know? I searched for a recipe and found dozens of these, all made with spinach. The comic character The Hulk was green, after all. What is a Hulk muffin? Something your kids will say "ew" to because they're green inside, but then gobble them down.
Why? Because the banana and chocolate make them yummy. Really. Trust me. Or at least trust the Hulk. LOL
What would I do differently with the recipe I made? I used whole leaf spinach. It did not break down as I'd hoped and I often got an entire strand of spinach in a bite. Ew, indeed! In the future, I would use chopped frozen spinach or mince the whole leaf kind before using in the future. And yes, I will make these again.
BUT . . . before I share the recipe, I'm very excited to say I have a new Cookbook Nook Mystery coming out in a few weeks. SHREDDING THE EVIDENCE. Why not share that now since I'm talking about chopped veggies, right?
The denizens of Crystal Cove are salivating over the upcoming Food Bowl Week, when local chefs offer some of their best and most imaginative creations in bite-size portions all over town. Bookstore proprietor Jenna Hart is hungry to sample as many of the delicacies as she can, but when she stumbles onto the dead body of a local food reporter and learns that her best friend’s husband is the primary suspect, she’ll have to summon the appetite for a side dish of sleuthing to prove his innocence.
I'M GIVING AWAY AN ADVANCED READERS COPY
TO ONE COMMENTER. SEE BELOW.
Hulk Muffins – GLUTEN-FREE
Yield: 12-16 muffins or 3 mini loafs
I know I found this recipe
using regular flour online, but I can’t figure out where. There are many
variations. This version is
gluten-free. If you want to make it using regular flour, simply swap out the GF flour and remove the xanthan gum and whey powder.
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cups gluten-free flour
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 tablespoon whey powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup mashed bananas (about
2 bananas)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups chopped fresh or frozen
spinach, cooked and drained well!!
1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark
chocolate chips, plus a few more
Line muffin pan with 12 cupcake
liners. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
F.
In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar on medium
speed. Add in eggs and beat well.
In a separate medium bowl sift together gluten-free
flour, xanthan gum, whey powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Add the gluten-fee flour mixture and sour
cream alternately to the butter mixture, mixing well on low.
Add in the mashed bananas and vanilla. Stir
until combined.
If you didn’t use chopped spinach, then chop
it now in a food processor, and then add to the batter.
Stir in chocolate chips.
For gluten-free muffins, it’s important to
grease the liners. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter into liners or mini loaf pans. Top
with the extra chocolate chips.
Bake muffins 18-22 minutes or mini loaves 28-30 minutes. *If you use a large loaf pan, cook 45-50
minutes…or until an inserted toothpick into the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a
cooling rack and cool completely.
Wish I'd used chopped spinach. |
ARC GIVEAWAY
Today I'm giving away an advanced reader
copy of SHREDDING THE EVIDENCE.
You don't have to review it, but if you want to, feel free on Goodreads,
Amazon or Barnes and Noble, once the book releases, April 21.
Have you ever read an ARC? Do you pass on the news to a friend?
Leave your email so I can contact you should you win.
🧚
Don't forget to order the first book in my new Fairy Garden mystery series,
A SPRINKLING OF MURDER, coming June 2020.
You can read all about it and order it on various sites
on my website HERE.
Plus I've posted a few of my fairy gardens.
And here is my latest suspense novel ...
SAVOR THE MYSTERY!
Friend
Daryl and Avery on Facebook
Follow Daryl on Twitter
Follow Avery on Twitter
Follow both of us on Pinterest
Plus check out my website
Follow Daryl on Twitter
Follow Avery on Twitter
Follow both of us on Pinterest
Plus check out my website
Follow Daryl on Bookbub
I have won an ARC and donated it to the neighborhood little library.
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com
Nice to know, Gloria. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have read a lot of ARCs. When I am done, I usually donate them to the library.
ReplyDeletedigicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
That's really sweet, Carol Sue. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have won arcs before. When I'm done reading the book, I've given them to friends who want to read them or given them to a friend who owns a non-profit library. Thanks for introducing me to Hulk muffins, I had never heard of those before.
ReplyDeleteBakingCookies32(at)Gmail(dot)com
Aren't they fun looking, Mindy? ~ Daryl
DeleteI spread the word on line but my real life friends don't like mystery books. I know, crazy, right? But they're nice people otherwise. Thanks for the chance to win. I love this series. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteRiley, you made me laugh out loud! Thanks. Daryl
DeleteThis recipe sounds pretty good. I wonder if kale would work as well?
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long, long time since I've had an ARC. If I enjoy a book I share the information, usually on Facebook.
k maslowski at fuse dot net
Karen, I bet kale would work. It's a little tougher than spinach, so you might have to cook it longer and then insert? Not sure. I'm not a kale eater. LOL ~ Daryl
Deletecongrats on your book coming out soon. i love this cover. i love the name of this muffin. LOL thanks for sharing the recipe. i need try this. yes i have read ARC books and love to review. and yes i pass on books to friends. quilting lady 2 at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kudos. ~ Daryl
DeleteMy niece has celiac disease, so I'll definitely make some of these muffins for her! Thanks for having these wonderful giveaways! Stay safe❤
ReplyDeleteHeidiark@yahoo.com
Heidi, I'm celiac, too, and always looking for new fun gluten-free recipes. ~ Daryl
DeleteI would love to win the ARC and would pass it along to my book group after I read it. The muffins look delicious. I appreciate the recipe complete with photos. I will hang on to it as my supply of spinach is finished. Last month I would be running out to the store to get a batch. Stay well! carters@columbusacademy.org
ReplyDeleteTake care yourself, Susan. ~ Daryl
DeleteI always pass on great reads to friends and leave a review. The muffins look really good. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletecochrandcr@gmail.com
Daphne, great to hear. ~ Daryl
DeleteMy daughter would love those muffins.i always leave reviews. Good luck with the new release.💓 rgp1950@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteRGP, thanks so much. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have won a few ARCs. After I finish, I pass them to my cousin. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteChris, that's nice to hear. ~ Daryl
DeleteThese look great and something I could make for the kids and "sneak" in something healthy for them! LOVE the cover of this book. Yes, I've reviewed ARC's before and review on different sites as well as share with my sisters and friends. Thanks so much for the chance! tami.norman@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteTami, isn't it a cute cover? Love Tigger on his hind legs. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have won 1-2 ARC books. I review them and pass onto friends at my book club. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteDianne, great to hear. ~ Daryl
DeleteI don't believe I have read any of these , so hope I win!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the upcoming release; I will definitely be looking for it!
ReplyDeleteI don’t have many people to pass books along to, plus I tend to keep my books. LOL
dm_richards (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thanks, Di! ~ Daryl
DeleteThe recipe looks interesting. I usually make veggie breakfast muffins with spinach. I love reading ARCs, I pass them on to fellow librarians. teenlibn (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteLibrary Kat, thrilled to hear that. ~ Daryl
DeleteI pass it on at a little library by the dentist office, after my sisters, daughter and mom read it. I like to have people read it too. Thank you for the chance the recipe looks and sounds delicious. Plus good for you.💜
ReplyDeleteDonamae, that's a good group of readers. ~ Daryl
DeleteDonakutska7@gmail.com I forgot to post it.😊
ReplyDeleteWhen I get an Arc I review it as positively as possible. suefoster109 at gmail dot dot com
ReplyDeleteSue F, good to hear. ~ Daryl
DeleteI read as many ARCs as I can and let my other reader buddies know about them.
ReplyDeleteSaamm7(at)msn(dot).com
Melissa, love that. Thanks. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have read a few ARCs and have left reviews on Amazon and B&N. Thanks for the gluten free recipe! jwhite410(at)yahoo(dot)com.
ReplyDeleteJill, you're welcome. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have read a few ARCs. After I've read my books, I pass them on to my Sister and then we share them with our friends. My favorite cookie is a chocolate chip cookie.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I have read a few ARCs. If asked by the author or publisher not to share, I don't. Otherwise I pass it around to friends and then to the VA, as there are not as many books geared towards cozies.
ReplyDeleteI have read an ARC. I do tell my family and friends about a book I liked. im2early4u(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSweet, Leslie. ~ Daryl
DeleteI would love to receive an ARC of your book. I’ve been very lucky to have received Advanced Reader Copies of lots of books. I write a review and post it for every single book I read, and would write a prompt and honest review. I usually do share them with a book-loving friend of mine. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, good for you! ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never read an ARC. Would share with a couple of friends for sure! Txcop01 at yahoo
ReplyDeleteI have read many ARCs. I always review everything I read on Goodreads. I would love to read this book!
ReplyDeleteLisacobblestone@aol.com
Lisa, great to hear. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have read many ARCs and then pass them to my sister. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love to read and review for Authors. Thank you for the chance!!
ReplyDeleteThe muffins sound interesting.
tiggercat24alisha@yahoo.com
Nerdsrgood at MSN dot COM
ReplyDeleteI love ARC of books. I always mark up a short review on goodreads. Amazon and I are in a fight right now.
Thanks for the chance !
Thanks. Never read one. rls81810@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWow that's really different! I've never seen a muffin recipe with spinach before. Might be worth a try.
ReplyDeleteI have read and reviewed a few ARCs before. Then I passed them on to friends or family to review also. We love your books and would welcome the chance to review this one as well.
kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have reviewed a few ARCs before and love to pass them along to others. Biszemom(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love reading ARCs—I pass on the news, but so far I’ve kept all the books. I would love to win this ARC—I’ve read the whole series and it’s one of my favorites. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI've won a few arcs and have left reviews on Amazon and Library Thing for each. I don't use Good Reads.
ReplyDeleteEmail address is tynadphotography@gmail.com
How awesome and the recipe looks yummy.. Yes, I'd review it..Thanks Stay safe. nani_geplcs@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI have read a number of ARCs. I pass them on to an elderly neighbor who shares it with her circle of friends.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
I have read ARCs and tend to keep them. My family and friends all talk books so, of course, I give them my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYour Hulk Muffins made me laugh. When the kids were young, they went through a brief period where I had to sneak the vegetables into different dishes. They say that they never could tell back then. I am considering serving them these muffins and explaining that since they are adults, I don't have to be surreptitious.
little lamb lst at yahoo dot com
I read & review ARCs given to me. I’ve passed a few along to my mom. My email is booksnpugs(at)gmail(dot) com
ReplyDeleteCherise, you're the winner of this giveaway by random selection. I'll send you an email for your info. Congrats and tell a friend. ~ Daryl
DeleteYes, I have authors that give me ARCs and I always review them!! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love to read ARCs and always review them. Then I usually pass them along to my mom, since she loves to read cozies, too. kkcochran (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI receive ARCs and I always review on Amazon Goodreads and Bookbub. Of course I always suggest the book to friends. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteLamonicaks (@) gmail (dot) com
DeleteI love reading arcs of books and always review them. Thanks for a chance to win! Ljbonkoski@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI've received a couple of arcs, it's kind of exciting to read a book before everyone else. I have given them to people I thought would enjoy them when I was done.
ReplyDeletekathyclugston3@gmail.com
When I've read an ARC, I talk it up wherever I can. I try to tell the librarians, hoping they'll order it for all to enjoy, and support the author. 😁
ReplyDeletepenmettert@gmail.com
I’ve not read an ARC before, but I would love to read your new book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletececilialyoung at gmail dot com
The winner of this giveaway by random selection is Cherisse. Congrats and tell a friend. To the rest of you, follow me on Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter. I've got lots of giveaways going. ~ Daryl
ReplyDeleteMy favorite series! Super excited for a chance to win!��
ReplyDeleteHave read ARCs before. Great for reviewing so others can decide whether to buy when it comes out or not
ReplyDeleteLove having a chance at an ARC. Cozy authors are so awesome. Rogue6776(@)yahoo(.)com
ReplyDeleteI collect and read ARCs. Have a huge collection! Would love to add yours.
ReplyDeleteYes I’ve read several ARC’s. Thanks for the chance to win and for the recipe!
ReplyDeletefaithdcreech at gmail dot com