Tuesday, February 16, 2021

A Surprise Guest -- Laura Childs' Ham and Apricot Country Biscuit Sandwiches #recipe


LESLIE BUDEWITZ: Happy happy happy to welcome back to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen my cousin, Laura Childs. Laura's mother was my father's just-older sister, and her parents introduced mine, on a blind date! To a hockey game! On our summer visits back to Minnesota, we often stayed with her family, and I loved trailing around after Laura, her sister, and my brother, who were all close in age and several years older than I. They had a pony! And a wild berry patch and a sledding hill, and Duke the Collie, the first dog I ever loved. 

So while I wasn't planning on following my cousin into the mystery-writing business, I'm delighted that I did, and delighted to welcome her back to the blog to celebrate the launch of EGG SHOOTERS: A Cackleberry Club Mystery.  

Plus, she's serving tea---or lunch. And I'll follow anybody for good food!  

One lucky winner will win a copy of Egg Shooters!

LAURA CHILDS:  Besides solving outlandish mysteries, my three main characters at the Cackleberry Club are known for fabulous egg breakfasts that include Eggs Vesuvius, Eggs in a Cloud, and Eggs in Purgatory. But since these savvy ladies are also keen on keeping their customers coming back for more, they’ve evolved into serving afternoon tea.

Because the days are still somewhat cold and brooding, the typical tea sandwich of cream cheese and cucumber seems far too light. So I’d like to share the Cackleberry Club’s recipe for Ham and Apricot Country Biscuit Sandwiches. It’s a heartier sandwich you can serve with afternoon tea (Darjeeling or Assam would be perfect) or pair with soup for a light lunch or dinner.

Ham and Apricot Country Biscuit Sandwiches

8 country-style biscuits, made from scratch or purchased

Butter

4 slices of ham, cut in half

½ cup apricot jam

2 Tbsp. whole-grain mustard

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

 

Start with your mise en place (or some might call it a mess in place) of all the ingredients.


Slice your biscuits, butter them, then add your slice (or slices) of ham. Top that with a mixture of the two mustards.

Now slather on a generous amount of apricot jam.

Okay, now I’m coloring outside the lines a bit. I added another dollop of jam and two snips of roasted red pepper to jazz it up.

This recipe will give you eight sandwiches or two sandwiches per person. Of course, you can always cut down on your ingredients and make one or two sandwiches just for yourself to munch with afternoon tea.

 And if you’d really like to kick back and relax, here’s a quick peak at what my new mystery, Egg Shooters, is all about:

In this newest book I send my main character, Suzanne, to a hospital to deliver a thermos of chili to her fiancé, Dr. Sam Hazelet. Of course Suzanne stumbles into a pharmacy robbery where a guard is brutally gunned down and a friend wounded. As Suzanne heaves her thermos at the gunman, splattering him with hot chili, she becomes part and parcel of the drama – then works to solve the robbery, seek out the killer, and save the reputation of a nurse accused of being a conspirator.

Kind of fun, yes? Stay warm and happy reading.

Love,

Laura Childs

Afternoon tea is such a lovely tradition, and a wonderful excuse to eat! Have you been to a formal tea? What did you most enjoy about it? What's your favorite afternoon snack? 

One lucky reader will win a signed hardcover of EGG SHOOTERS! Be sure to leave your email address; winner will be chosen Thursday, February 18.   


Laura Childs is the author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. All have been on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. Recently, Book Riot named her mysteries to their list of “25 of the All Time Best Cozy Mystery Series.” In her previous life Laura was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese Art History, and has a Chinese Shar-Pei named Lotus.

Find out more at laurachilds.com or become a Friend on Facebook at Laura Childs Author   

41 comments:

  1. It was fun to see someone else that loved the mixture of mustard and sweet jam on a ham and biscuit. I've never tried the addition of peppers though. Since we love things hot, this will most definitely be tried - and soon.

    Afternoon snacks tend to be more salty than sweet. I both love the flavor and I don't eat as much. Sweets make me feel like ok just one more - until they are all gone. Love things like party mix (yes year round), nuts or peanut butter and cheese crackers or cheese and savory crackers.

    Can't wait to read "EGG SHOOTERS" which most definitely is on my TBR list. With the cold winter and staying at home due to medical issues and Covid, reading is my wonderfully fun escape. Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy! Shared and hoping.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  2. There's something about the combination of salty ham and sweet apricot jam that absolutely works for me! Great idea!

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  3. My mother used to make apricot jam from her apricot tree.
    I like something sweet when I have my tea in the afternoon.
    I have had High Tea on a Princess cruise ship. What a treat.
    Great recipe.

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  4. My favorite snack would be a crusty baguette with almond butter and tea. Having tea is very special and a formal tea is relaxing and memorable. Since it is rare I treasure the occasion and I hope to experience this once again. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. An afternoon tea is definitely unforgettable. Many years ago I was fortunate to host a tea since it was my engagement shower. This was held at a beautiful department store dining room, and we had a private room for this festive occasion. The department store closed many years ago but I still have fond memories of shopping there. The tea was so enjoyable, with delectable goodies and service was impeccable and lovely. My afternoon snack is tea of course with digestive biscuits. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Petite, that sounds absolutely lovely! It reminds me of going to the big department stores in downtown Minneapolis with my mother on those same summer visits I mentioned to the "tea room" at Dayton's and other long-gone but fabulous places.

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  6. Welcome today. I went to a British Tea once with some friends. Oh but that was so fun. Different teas and different little sandwiches and little finger foods. As friends we all had such a wonderful time just spending time together. Our church got a new pastor and he and his family were from England. Our pastors wife held an english tea for us ladies. It was similar to the previous tea, but so much more personal because of who gave it. It was a lot of fun tasting the different things that and English lady would have for afternoon teas. The teas were different also. I only really liked two of them. But it was so fun to try them all. Again another fun time with lady friends.
    My favorite afternoon snack is mixed nuts or fruit.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  7. I've never had tea or been to one, there aren't any places around here that do it, but the foods served with it always sound so good. It seems there's lots of kinds of sandwiches and it would be fun to try them all. I do love a good sandwich.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. I jut love the story of how you two are related! Obviously talent runs in the family! And love the egg shooters. I make a lot of egg sandwiches in this house for my sons. I’ll have to swap out the sriracha mayo for apricot jam and see how it goes😁

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  9. I went to a "mystery" tea in Scotland many years ago. Great fun. We got on a bus without knowing where we were going.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  10. While I have tea every afternoon, I don't eat anything with it. I'll have to try these biscuit sandwiches with it.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  11. I have been to Afternoon Tea - and LOVE it. My favourite experience is probably at the Empress Hotel in Canada's Victoria, British Columbia. I adore the finger sandwiches and the yummy little cakes. I would be hard-pressed to determine my favourite food items. The whole experience is such a wonderful one. My second favourite would be Victoria's James Bay Tea House with raisin scones filled with home-made jam and cream. mgshepherd2003@yahoo.ca

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    1. Oh, the Empress. I had a lovely, if a bit startling, experience there as a 19 y.o. college student. Such wonderful food and such a beautiful, gracious space!

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  12. These look simply divine, Laura! And who knew you and Leslie were cousins? (Not I--till today, that is.) My sister is named Laura, so I guess Leslie and Laura are meant to go together...

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  13. Live this series! I probably wouldn't have thought to put the two different mustards and apricot jam together, but I sure looks and sounds delicious. I can't wait to try it. I have never been to Afternoon tea, only coffee places around here.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Love this series!! I've been waiting for this one for a long time!!!

    Rebecca Lynch
    tom_reblynch@hotmail.com

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  15. I have been to a formal tea. My favorite parts were the beautiful place settings, different teas,and just having a new experience! Thanks for the opportunity to enter, I'm excited to return to the Cackleberry Club! Khpinelake (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. I've been to tea a couple of times. I loved the scones with clotted cream and the assorted sandwiches.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. I have read and enjoyed so many of Laura Child's cozy series over the years! I have not yet been to a formal British high tea. I think I would mostly enjoy that it would have a bit of pomp and be a real occasion to enjoy. A favorite afternoon snack of mine is a handful of nuts or some seasonal fruit.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  18. There used to be a tea place nearby that I've been to with family and my daughter a couple times, but sadly it closed. Love everything about British culture though, and hoping someplace else opens soon!
    Ajf95@aol.com

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  19. Looks delicious, my favourite snack, strangely enough, is a dish of olives or pickles. I like salty, crunchy snacks and to me this is a healthy alternative.
    sandra shenton thirteen at gmail dot com

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  20. Unfortunately, the tea room closed due to owner relocation. It was a great way to spend time catching up with friends over tea and treats.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  21. Welcome back to Mystery Lovers Kitchen, Laura! Lovely to see you here. Thanks for the different and delicious sandwich recipe. I'm on it! Hugs. MJ

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  22. I have been "to tea" and I loved it. A dear friend took me for my birthday once. So elegant, so delicious, such tiny little delicious bites that had me wanting to eat the entire tray! And then we had a birthday party for my granddaughter when she was about 9 years old. The girls loved dressing up and 2 of the moms invited themselves as well ;-).

    Love the books. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Oh my gosh! 2 of my favorite authors are related!!! This is marvelous! The biscuits aound delicious, minus the red pepper strips. Hmmm, maybe a pickle substitution? Love all of both authors books. Helps keep me sane in an onsane world. Thank you! Cecile Fleetwood JewelryDragon@gmail.com

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  24. I have been to one formal tea, and I absolutely loved it. It was so nice to dress up in our hats and socialize with great people. Loved the tiny sandwiches.
    Thank you. Denise Clemente dlc1228@gmail.com.

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    1. Oh, the tiny sandwiches! Anything small makes you feel like you can eat as many as you want!

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  25. I love formal teas! My favorite are the scones and mascarpone. Thanks for the chance!
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. The library had a tea. Scones are my favorite.

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  27. I have been to teas on cruise ships! So much fun!
    You are one of my favorite authors! Love your books! It would be amazing to win this one! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. Love having tea in the afternoon/evening. Scones with it are a favorite.

    Thanks for the chance! Absolutely love your books.

    jarjm1980@hotmail.com

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  29. I am not a tea drinker.
    As a snack, I like a bit of peanut butter either on a cracker or a piece of bread.
    jwisley(at)aol(dot)com

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  30. I was in London in 2000 with my m-i-l and we had a couple of nice teas. Brown's Hotel was lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed the ambience (like a big living room) and the food. I've enjoyed a few afternoon teas since but that was my favorite!
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  31. Love both of your books. Haven't tried the sandwich yet, but it motivates me to try high tea at a restaurant that offers it here.

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  32. Friends, my dear cousin has been trying to reply to your comments, but Blogger is not playing nice with her. Do know she's reading every one and delighted that you love her books and her sandwich combo!

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  33. Hi Laura! I love your books and this recipe sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!

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  34. I adore your books, I have been collecting tea party recipes lately to make a tiny collection like my grandmother & I used to do weekly. She lived next door to me, we had tea every day & made sandwich loaves & finger sandwiches. It was something so common to me that it is almost hard to summon memories. For my gran girls I have gotten play tea sets & A nicer tea set now I want to make a wee recipe book for them. Just a child thing.
    Thanks for all the pleasure your talking & writing gives :-)

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  35. I LOVE this series! Thank you for the recipe, and this chance! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. Yes,I have been to a tea. My grandma was born in Aberdeen. Every visit was a tea party. I was fortunate to take a "Touch of Outlander" to Scotland. We had tea at The Ord Manor set of Lollybroch.

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