Sunday, May 8, 2022

Guest Author Elizabeth Craig with Mother's Day Recipe & #Giveaway @elizabethscraig

Click to learn more.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome back to Elizabeth Craig (aka Riley Adams), a talented author of multiple bestselling mystery series, a busy mother of two and a dedicated blogger who has offered online fellowship to the writing community for years.

(Elizabeth's Twitter feed is a marvel, and I encourage you all to follow her!)

Elizabeth is also a beloved alumna of Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, and we're thrilled that she's returned for a visit, especially on this particular Sunday so I can wish her a very...

Happy Mother's Day! xoxo

~ Cleo 




Hi everyone! And a special hi to all the mothers out there on this Mother’s Day installment of Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. Thanks so much to the gang here for hosting me . . . I enjoy coming back for visits!

Hope you’re all enjoying your spring so far. Life has been busy for me recently—my husband and I moved (just in-state, but wow! I’d forgotten how frantic moving makes you) and I’ve had books come out all through the process. Two books came out during my great I-Must-Reduce-the-Number-of-Things-in-This-House phase (Frictional Characters and A Dash of Murder) and one book came out last month in the We’re-Staying-in-an-Airbnb-to-House-Hunt phase (A Notion to Murder). Yes, all three active series are represented in those releases, ha. I must have lost what’s left of my mind.

On the upside, I was most concerned about my elderly cat, Mr. Smoke, and my somewhat neurotic corgi, Finn, making the move.


Mr. Smoke

I fretted over it quite a bit and took myself and my reluctant animals to the veterinarian to buy a concoction that might help them with any anxiety they might experience. 

As you can see, however, there was no need to dose them up. What a relief! They were real troopers. 

Finn

So, as mentioned, it’s been busy. I have the feeling y'all might possibly be, too. The month of May always seems to be that way. I thought I’d revisit an oldie-but-goodie recipe that first "aired" here in 2013. It’s simple and tasty—two important traits of a recipe for a busy mom or a busy person, period. 

If you can’t find specialized chutney in your store and just have the plain variety, you can quickly mix up a small can (8 oz.) of crushed pineapple and a regular jar of chutney (no special type, just run-of-the mill.) You’ll end up with the same, delicious, fruity taste.



EASY CHUTNEY CHICKEN

Ingredients:

1 chicken fryer (or a comparable number of chicken breasts)

1 teaspoon salt

¼ cup regular mustard

2/3 cup apple-cranberry chutney (or peach chutney, or whatever-suits-your-fancy chutney)

½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and place in a shallow casserole dish.

Mix all the other ingredients and cover the chicken with them.

Bake at 350 F., uncovered, for an hour and fifteen minutes.


Bestselling cozy mystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig is a library-loving, avid mystery reader. A pet-owning Southerner, her four series are full of cats, corgis, and cheese grits. The mother of two, she lives with her husband, a fun-loving corgi, and a shy fluffball of a cat. Follow Elizabeth and learn more about her books by visiting her website at  ElizabethSpannCraig.com




How are things for all of you? Do you find late-spring a busy time, too? Made or are considering making any moves lately? And are your pets low-key and laid-back or a little edgier?


Giveaway!

Today, Elizabeth is giving away an e-book copy of the first book in her charming Southern Quilting mystery series...




To be entered in Elizabeth's drawing,
leave a comment for her on this post
with your email address.


Congrats to the 
winner:

"jarjm"




37 comments:

  1. Hi everyone! It's a pleasure to be back at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. :) Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

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    1. Good morning and happy Mother’s Day! I wonder if Myrtle has her gnomes out today or if she’s enjoying the day with Red and the family.

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    2. Ha! I'd *like* to think Myrtle was "playing nice" with Red and his family today. But that she has her gnomes on standby!

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  2. Welcome Elizabeth, we're so happy to have you visiting again! I cannot believe you had 3 books come out while you packed and moved!

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    Replies
    1. Isn't that ridiculous? I've got another coming out on the 24th, ha! I think I must find writing soothing.

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  3. Welcome back to the Kitchen, Elizabeth, you are a marvel! Thank you so much for catching us up on your life and the terrific work you're doing as an author. Happy Mother's Day to you and all the mothers and grandmothers in our audience. xoxo ~ Cleo

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind words, Cleo! Hope you have a good one!

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  4. So happy for Finn and Mr. Smoke! Glad they're settled. Recipe and book look fabulous!

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  5. Welcome back!
    Chutney is a marvelous sweet/sour ingredient. And you can choose the flavor you like.
    Am I reading the recipe right that this is one whole chicken? I guess if you go with the option of "a comparable number of chicken breasts" the timing would be less.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're correct! Yes, having chicken breasts only will reduce the cooking time nicely. :)

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  6. Welcome today Elizabeth. Happy Mothers Day. So glad the move went fine with your fur babies. We have one cat that is high energy and takes things as they come, very inquisitive. If we had a roomba Im sure she would try to figure out how to sit on it. She loves to watch me vacuum. The other cat hides and does not do stress very well at all. For sure we would need something for her if we moved.

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    Replies
    1. That is too funny! Both the dog *and* my cat are scared of the vacuum. It makes me not want to vacuum (that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!)

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  7. The interview was great!! Would love to read your book!!

    strgth4yu(at)hotmail(at)com

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  8. Spring is crazy busy for us with high school baseball, 2 boys playing tournament baseball, and 2 granddaughters playing tball and soccer. I have to sneak in a few hours to read. Thanks for the chance, I would love to read this first in series! eswright18 at gmail.com

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  9. Happy Mother's Day from a very snowy Montana!

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  10. I've heard of chutney but never tried it, I always thought it sounded like a fruity relish. Does seem like a great match for chicken! Your pets are so cute! Kathylynn103@hotmail.com

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    1. Thanks so much! And...give chutney a try. Hope you like it!

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  11. I hope everyone had a lovely day!
    Vickiela3@hotmail.com

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  12. Happy Mother's Day! Late spring is always a busy season for us it seems. Our dog is more laid back in the summer. He loves sitting on our deck with me while I read!

    Thanks for the chance. So excited to read your book!

    jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like the best kind of summer day! A book and a dog. :)

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  13. I love spring and I’m busy cleaning and organizing. My kitty does not like change. A prime example when redid our basement, it took her three weeks just to get used to it without crying on the steps every day. Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Spring cleaning always makes me feel so organized. Oh, poor kitty with the crying!

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  14. Here in deep east Texas we have been enjoying beautiful sunny days with temps in the 70's because we know they are soon to be replaced with our usual Texas summer! I always consider "summering" in a cooler climate but the thought of moving ends my consideration every year. Since retiring, our days haven't been as busy so we've had time to read, watch our favorite sports & our favorite programs & best of all, we spend just about every day with our three furbabies - Jasmine, Charlie & Annie Mae. Jasmine's laid back & easy going. Charlie's typically Pit-bull hyper & Annie's a Chiweenie--she's a bit edgy. :) lnchudej@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Nice to have some mild weather! Retirement sounds *lovely*!

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  15. Happy belated Mother's Day! Love the book cover! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. Happy belated Mother's Day. I love the cover of your book. The corgi is so cute. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  17. Isn't the corgi cute? They always have the cutest expressions!

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  18. spring would be more busy for me if i wasn't avoiding the spring cleaning. currently adjusting to return to office instead of working from home.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. That's a huge change! I think avoiding the spring cleaning is a smart idea when you've got a big adjustment ahead. :)

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  19. Happy belated Mother's day. I love reading books that have to do with cooking. I read a lot when the weather is cold here in Montana. I am not looking forward to spring cleaning...soon much to do.

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    1. I bet the weather is cold in Montana pretty frequently! Hope you have a great spring!

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