Monday, August 17, 2020

WHEN FOOD REMINDS US OF SUNSHINE












Does anyone else want to go to this Halloween party despite the evil donuts? Ginger Bolton's new book, BOSTON SCREAM MURDER will be here on August 25th!

Check below for the giveaway!










First of all, I have to confess that I have never been to Greece except in movies or the pages of novels set there.

However, one meal in a restaurant in Toronto’s Greektown made me feel like I was sitting in the sunlight on a terrace overlooking the blue waters of the Aegean. I don’t remember exactly what was in the main dish besides chicken, beef, and tomatoes. I’ll have to go back and try it another time. . . .

Meanwhile, the side of roast potatoes also tasted of sunshine and adventure and should be easier to replicate.

One of the fun things about writing a food-related cozy mystery series is, well, needing new kitchen gadgets and appliances. When I started writing about a donut shop named Deputy Donut and its co-owner, Emily Westhill, who makes and serves donuts and coffee while collecting clues from patrons about murders, the first thing I had to have was a deep-fryer.

It is wonderful at cooking many delicious things. But it has a drawback—all that oil! Not only do you have to buy it by the barrel, you have to clean it out of your deep-fryer, and you have to find a way to discard it.

Enter the air-fryer toaster oven. This is actually a small oven with a convection setting. You coat the food with a relatively small amount of oil. Hot air blows around the food giving it a crispy texture and some the flavor of frying.

Also, enter my next-door neighbor with a large bag of new potatoes from her sons’ farm. “They’re seconds,” she said, “but you can mash them, and they taste the same.”

Well! These were beautiful, huge potatoes, the kind you can cut for French fries. So what if some of them had a little bump here or there? What a wonderful gift during a pandemic!

We mashed some, we made French fries, and I played around with Greek seasoning on potatoes cut like French fries. You can find Greek seasoning in your grocery store or in a specialty shop. We order ours from the incredible Silk Road Spices in Calgary, Alberta. I like all things fries, but you can cut the potatoes into slices or wedges if you prefer and if you adjust cooking times accordingly.

OVEN-ROASTED FRIES WITH GREEK SEASONING

Ingredients:
2 large potatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice—fresh or bottled
2 teaspoons Greek seasoning
Salt to taste

Preparation method:
Wash potatoes. Peel if necessary. Cut into fries.
Place fries in microwaveable container and cover.
Preheat oven, convection oven, or air-fryer oven to 400˚.
Microwave until potatoes are just becoming tender.
Sprinkle fries with olive oil, lemon juice, and Greek seasoning. Toss gently to coat fries.
Arrange fries in single layer on aluminum foil in baking pan or air-fryer basket.
Bake at 400˚ for 10 minutes or until fries start becoming golden
Remove from oven and turn fries over.
Turn on convection or air-fry setting, maintaining temperature at 400˚ and cook for two or more minutes until fries are crispy but not burnt.
Salt to taste and serve warm.

 

 

 

 


Ginger Bolton writes the Deputy Donut mystery series—coffee, donuts, cops, danger, and one curious cat. The first three books in the series are SURVIVAL OF THE FRITTERS, GOODBYE CRULLER WORLD, and JEALOUSY FILLED DONUTS. The latter was chosen as the Woman’s     World Best New Cozy Mystery of the week and was named as one of Dollycas’s Best Reads of 2019. Watch for more Deputy Donut Mysteries after BOSTON SCREAM MURDER. When Ginger isn't writing or reading, she's crocheting, knitting, sewing, or generally causing trouble. She’s also fond of donuts and coffee. As Janet Bolin, Ginger wrote the Threadville Mysteries—murder and mayhem in a village of crafty shops.

Connect with Ginger:                             
Website: https://gingerbolton.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGingerBolton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ginger_bolton
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16834862.Ginger_Bolton/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ginger-bolton

One lucky person will win a copy of BOSTON SCREAM MURDER! US and Canadian addresses only, please. Leave a comment with your email address to enter.

111 comments:

  1. Looks like a great series! I’ve been looking for a new series to read!
    jameymyers@att.net

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    1. Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. The first book in the series, SURVIVAL OF THE FRITTERS is only $1.99 on Kindle right now.

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  2. As a Calgarian I am pleased to see a wonderful shop mentioned from my home town. It would be lovely to have my hometown featured in more novels but I know of only a few book series that were published several years ago.
    Another mention of the air fryer convection oven has really piqued my interest. This blog has provided great book reviews, recipes and appliance recommendations. Thanks!
    rufeddup@telus.net

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    1. We love opening our packages from Silk Road Spices and we love how fresh the spices are, even after a week or so traveling to us.

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  3. We've been considering the purchase an air fryer convection oven.
    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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    1. We use ours nearly every day, for all sorts of things. Last night, we had air-fried zucchini seasoned with Italian spices and garlicky olive oil. Delicious! The garden is producing a lot of zucchini....

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  4. I enjoyed your heroine. I read the first books. I don’t know why I lost you. suefoster109 at gmail dot com

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  5. The roasted potatoes are delectable. I enjoy your delightful books. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. My mom and I will be giving this recipe a try.
    Kitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net

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  7. I love your books and I may have to look into getting an air fryer. Thanks for the giveaway. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thank you! My air-fryer is like a mini convection oven. It's very useful, especially in hot weather when you don't want to turn on the big oven, but if you have a convection oven, you can crisp things that way. And toaster ovens (which I don't have) are also handy, like for baking a couple of potatoes.

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  8. Yummy recipe! Thank you! Also, I love the Deputy Donut mysteries and I'm so glad there are more coming! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome, and thank you! I'm already working on the sixth Deputy Donut Mystery.

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  9. I really enjoy this series and would love a chance to win! Have a great day and be well!
    meeshpsych@aol.com

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  10. That cover is divine! It's absolutely perfect. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
    abigailfbn (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. You're welcome. I love the cover, too. When you read the book, you'll see how well the folks at Kensington Publishing Corp. and the artist, Mary Ann Lasher, stuck to the story when they planned and executed (can I use that word????)the cover.

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  11. Perfect timing for this--I just bought a mandolin that cuts French fries!!

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    1. Ooooh! Be careful with your fingers. We've been eating a lot of fries. You can (ahem) buy seasoned frozen ones that take only about five minutes from frozen in the air fryer and turn out like fast-food fries. (Which I tend to like...) We've also been buying more sweet potatoes than ever before and making sweet potato fries. We often season them with smoked paprika from Silk Road Spices.

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  12. I absolutely love this series. I'm super excited for Boston Scream.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you! BOSTON SCREAM MURDER was fun to write. Halloween!

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  13. I’ve been eating lots of fries this summer. Call it craving. Lol! I love the cover of this book. It sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it.

    Meljprincess AT aol DOT com

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    1. They're soooo good! Right up there with potato chips .

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  14. Those fries look yummy! I love the cover and can’t wait to get to this one in the series! I just recently finished the first and enjoyed it so much!

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  15. I forgot to leave my email! It’s 28anna18@gmail.com

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  16. I listened to the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. I love donuts and Halloween and look forward to reading this one! (aydiniak "at" gmail "dot" com)

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  17. This looks yummy
    bmedrano34@yahoo.com

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  18. This looks yummy
    bmedrano34@yahoo.com

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  19. This looks yummy
    bmedrano34@yahoo.com

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  20. This looks delicious but I look even more forward to getting your new book. I really enjoy reading them. I keep a list of books I want and when their coming out. Yours is on it.

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    1. Awww, that's fantastic. Thank you! I can tell you adore Dep.

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  21. Wonderful series. The potatoes are so enticing and yummy. Perfect. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you. I love new potatoes, and those so-called "seconds" were fabulous.

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  22. Welcome, Ginger! Love the Deputy Donut series and this cover is fabulous! Can't wait to try to fries.

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  23. Thanks for the chance. sclickner at juno dot com

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  24. So love this series - can't wait for release! Sue P - suepete12 at yahoo dot com

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  25. Love fries, and baked, and mashed, and free!! Lucky you!! I also love donuts and your series sounds delicious. :)
    kpbarnett1941(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Who knew a bag of potatoes would be so exciting? Very lucky! Thank you.

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  26. Thanks for the recipe! Sounds yummy! Thanks too for a chance to win your latest bkok. Love this series! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  27. I love Halloween themed mysteries!!! Your donut themed mystery with the adorable kitty and puppy looks amazing!!! I have never read your books before but I would love to!!! I would be so happy to win your book! Thanks for the giveaway

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    1. Aren't Halloween mysteries fun? Maybe that's because Halloween is so much fun. Good luck!

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  28. First...that cover is so cute!! And spooky!! Second, love the recipe for the Greek Fries! They sound delish! Thank you so much for the chance to win this book(you are a new to me author)! ladyofshalott03(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I congratulate the artist for painting a spooky and cute cover. Good luck with the recipe. You can't go wrong with lemon, oil, and Greek seasoning. Or fries, for that matter.

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  29. Those look so good and so easy to make. I love the cat on the cover of your book and thank you for giving out a print book I would love to read and review on a few sites. peggy clayton ptclayton2 @aol.com

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    Replies
    1. They are easy to make--a plus! I don't have any print books yet. Crossing fingers...

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  30. Such a cute cover! Sissie_sue@yahoo.com

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  31. Love this series. kkat.edwards@gmail.com

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  32. this look delicious! thanks for the chance to win! amandasmother(at)aol(dot)com

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  33. I love Greek seasoning on potatoes, chicken, steak and pork chops. Recipe looks amazing, looking forward to trying it. This is a new series to me, sounds like my kind of read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I haven't tried it on steak or pork chops. Thanks for the idea! I'm going to have to order more....

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  34. The Deputy Donut series is new to me, but I sure would like to read this book. Love the halloween theme as that's my birthday. bella_ringer@hotmail.com

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    Replies
    1. What a super fun day to have a birthday. And this year, Halloween is on a Saturday AND there will be a full moon. I was very excited to discover that, since I was setting the book this coming Halloween. And the full moon and the Saturday are in there, as you'll see.

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  35. I love oven fries! I’m enjoying reading this series!
    tennisace50(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I love fries, period, and making them in an oven works, yay. Okay, I like them deep-fried, especially if someone else is doing the work.

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  36. I’ve never seen this series...would love to read! Love the cover

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    1. I'm happy you've now discovered the series. I love the cover, too.

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  37. I'm going to have to find some Greek seasoning. Yum.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  38. We love finding new ideas for fries! I will look for the spices. Thank you!
    Meg85242 (@) gmail (dot) com

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  39. I love fries. Hmm, I may need to invest in an air fryer.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. If you have a convection oven, you already have a BIG air fryer. And you can oven roast potatoes.

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  40. I love fries AND I am in love with Silk Road spices. We actually have one of their restaurants in a nearby city. ❤
    I haven't read any books in this series... I just stumbled onto them today.
    Shell618 at Yahoo dot com.

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  41. I love fries AND I am in love with Silk Road spices. We actually have one of their restaurants in a nearby city. ❤
    I haven't read any books in this series... I just stumbled onto them today.
    Shell618 at Yahoo dot com.

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  42. I love this cover and the recipe sounds delicious! Thanks so much for the chance!

    jstomalis1053 (at) comcast (dot) net

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    1. You're welcome. You should have seen my face when I first saw the cover. Talk about happy!

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  43. Love your books. Would love to have the new one, karen harris , karden45@comcast.net. thank you

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  44. Looks really good!!! Psychology_chick@yahoo.com

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  45. These look great and I love the cover of the book! JL_Minter(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  46. Looks yummy! I am a fan of your books! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. Oh wow! those look delicious and the story sounds interesting. mountainsr4me@hotmail.com

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  48. I don't have room for an air fryer but I do love your series. Stay safe and well.

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    1. Kitchen appliances can really take over, can't they? You stay safe and well, too, Sally.

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  49. Anything with potatoes says yum to me, and I like the method of crisping them.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. They are really versatile, aren't they! I like them crispy, too, as in potato chips. Oops.

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  50. Those donuts look fabulous! I love this cover! I’m so glad Krista Davis shared. I would love to read this book

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    1. Isn't a great cover? I'm glad Krista shared, too!

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  51. How nice of your neighbor to share her potato bounty! Your potato recipe with Greek seasoning looks delicious. I'm watching a Greek cooking series on PBS and learning how to cook Greek foods. Thanks for the giveaway! I do love mysteries.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Yes, we're lucky to have her as a neighbor. That PBS series sounds like something I should watch.

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  52. I am very excited for the newest book in the series. I think this is my favorite cover so far! tmleafs42 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thank you! I agree. The cover is amazing. The artist did a fantastic job.

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  53. Love the recipe, and the book sounds great too! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  54. oooh looks super yummy! the book too! aelinderman (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I had fun writing the book. And eating the fries...

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  55. Well done. You managed to respond to all the commenters.
    That is quite impressive.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  56. I'm all about supporting Canadian authors! Congrats on your new book! tammyisangelic@hotmail.com

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  57. By the way, August 19 is National Potato Day.

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  58. I love french fries and your recipe sounds so good! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

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  59. Your recipe sounds so good! Thanks for the chance!
    jarjm1980@hotmail.com

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