LUCY BURDETTE: With our new fancy event schedule here at MLK, we don't always have space for all the guests we love to host. But I knew you'd hate to miss Barbara Ross with her brand new book, so she's here in my place today. She'll be giving away a copy of Shucked Apart to one lucky commenter. Welcome Barb!
BARBARA ROSS: My ninth Maine Clambake Mystery, Shucked Apart, takes place not in Busman’s Harbor, the usual setting for the books, but in the real town of Damariscotta. (Sorry about the murder, citizens of Damariscotta!) I was inspired to write this book while on a Damariscotta River Cruise. The tour takes you by the half dozen oyster farms on the river and explains the similarities and differences in how the oysters are grown, resulting in their differing tastes, textures, size, and appearance. Oyster farming is so fascinating (I know—take my word for it for now), I couldn’t wait to write about it. And, the subject gave my husband, who creates most of the recipes for my books, a whole new protein to work with.
These baked oysters are an excellent gateway preparation for those who, like my main character Julia, are reluctant to eat raw oysters. This recipe combines some of the elements of a classic mignonette with cheese for a tangy oyster experience.
Ingredients
12-16 oysters, shucked, drained, put back in the shell, and laid out on a baking sheet
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons sour cream
1 small or 1/2 large shallot
1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and finely minced
1 teaspoon wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.
Stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, shallot, jalapeno, wine vinegar, and cracked pepper. Fold in the shredded cheddar.
Put a heaping teaspoon of the cheese mixture on top of each oyster to cover.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Bake 8-10 minutes until cheese melts.
Serve immediately. Serves 3 to 4.
Shucked Apart releases February 23rd. Here’s the blurb.
The Snowden Family Clambake Company has a beloved reputation in Busman’s Harbor, Maine. Almost as famous is the sleuthing ability of proprietor Julia Snowden, which is why an oyster farmer seeks her out when she’s in trouble.
When Andie Greatorex is robbed of two buckets of oyster seed worth $35,000, she wonders if somebody’s trying to mussel her out of business. Could it be a rival oyster farmer, a steamed former employee, or a snooty summer resident who objects to her unsightly oyster cages floating on the beautiful Damariscotta River? There’s also a lobsterman who’s worried the farm’s expanding lease will encroach on his territory and Andie’s ex-partner, who may come to regret their split. Before Julia can make much headway in the investigation, Andie turns up dead, stabbed by a shucking knife. Now it’s up to Julia to set a trap for a cold and clammy killer . . .
Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for Barbara's delicious new book!
Buy Links
Amazon
Your Local Independent Bookstore
About Barb
Barbara Ross is the author of the Maine Clambake Mysteries and the Jane Darrowfield Mysteries. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. She lives in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at www.maineclambakemysteries.com
All Caught up and awaiting new book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it!
DeleteThose look amazing and I will have to try them! Thank you! Biszemom (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteYou'll enjoy them
DeleteLove the cover!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Me, too.
DeleteThank you for the recipe for Baked Oysters. Sounds like a great way to fix oysters. Hubby will eat them any way you can sit them in front of him, including raw. I'm one that needs them cooked. I've saved this recipe to my Pinterest file and will be trying it.
ReplyDeleteLove your books! Can't wait for the opportunity to read "Shucked Apart". It's been on my TBR list since you first told us about it. Thank you for the chance to win a copy! Shared and hoping to be the fortunate one selected.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
My husband loves them raw, too. But this recipe is a great alternative for those who don't. Good luck with the contest.
DeleteThat recipe looks delicious! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome.
DeleteThe perfect thing to eat while reading your new book.
ReplyDeleteKitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net
It's a pairing!
DeleteOhhh ... I'll have to try this recipe. don't like them raw, but do enjoy them in soups and dressing. Thanks for the chance to win a book! Heidi
ReplyDeleteThis recipe is a great compromise.
DeleteThe recipe sounds delicious! I love oysters anyway but raw. I can’t wait to read Shucked Apart! Thanks for the chance to win a copy. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the contest.
DeleteThis sounds like a great series with an interesting theme!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
The theme is really everything Maine--well, coastal Maine.
DeleteCongrats!
DeleteI've never had oysters, there's not many places that have them here. But I love all seafood and I want to try them someday.
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oysters are really having a moment right now.
DeleteSounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteWelcome today. That is so cool that your husband helps you like this. Fun cover. This book sounds delightful.
ReplyDeletequilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Yes, thank goodness. We shared the cooking when our kids were growing up, but since then he has really become the primary cook and only grocery shopper in the family. Couldn't do it without him.
DeleteWhat a great cover! That Oyster recipe looks delicious! Thanks for the chance to win! ladyofshalott03(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love the cover, too.
DeleteIt looks and sounds like another great read.
ReplyDeleteI hope you think so when you read it!
DeleteI’ve tried oysters cooked, raw, and smoked (canned). I’ve decided that, for me, the best way to eat oysters is raw on the half-shell. And I am looking forward to Julia’s next adventure!
ReplyDeleteMany oyster lovers would agree with you.
DeleteI love your books but as far as seafood goes, I only like fish. Everyone seems to enjoy it so much that I keep trying but it's just not for me.
ReplyDeleteI get this. I really do.
DeleteNot a fan of oysters, but I'd still love to win a copy of the book! Thanks for the chance. JL_Minter(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI keep saying you don't need to like oysters to like the book!
DeleteHi Barbara! These oysters look delicious. Congrats on the new book!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tina.
DeleteI won the first book Clammed up. Loved it so of course I immediately went and bought the next 7 in the series! I would love to win the latest book!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the contest!
DeleteMy husband and daughter love oysters. Me? Not so much.
ReplyDeleteBut I will happily read about them!
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Oyster farming is way more interesting than you'd think.
DeleteGreat series! Sounds like there's a lot of information on oysters in the book. Looking forward to reading the latest in the series.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I really enjoy this series and your recipe looks fabulous, Barb! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThank you on both counts!
DeleteWhat a lovely cover! The blurb has me intrigued with all the going ons. I am going to have order it to find out just who did the deed because I have to know. I am nosy! ����
ReplyDeleteThank you for this incredible opportunity.
NANCYMARIE1210@AOL.COM
You would make a great amateur sleuth.
DeleteNancy, congrats, you are the lucky winner of Barbara's new book!
DeleteThat looks good! Love the cover of the book! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletejarjm1980@hotmail.com
I love the cover, too. Good luck with the contest.
Delete