Hello from TINA KASHIAN! Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Alicia Bessette, author of SMILE BEACH MURDER. I’m thrilled to have her and try her delicious pancake recipe.
Just about every Sunday morning, I make extra fluffy and flavorful pancakes from scratch. My Secret Ingredients Pancakes never fail. The recipe is a jazzed-up version of Martha Stewart’s Easy Basic Pancake Recipe from 2006. It yields 12-15 smallish pancakes and is intended for 3-4 people.
For optimum results, I recommend serving with the mellow sounds of the early ’70s on vinyl (Van Morrison’s Moondance and Carole King’s Tapestry work well); the best quality maple syrup your budget allows; and your favorite toppings such as berries or sliced bananas or apples.
To celebrate the recent release of my debut cozy mystery, SMILE BEACH MURDER (Berkley), the first in a series, I’m giving away a signed hardback copy to one lucky commenter (U.S. only; contest closes at midnight on Thursday, June 2). Let me know your favorite breakfast food! Mine is a tossup between these pancakes and avocado toast with smoked sea salt. Please be sure to include your email address so that I can contact the winner. Thanks so much!
For more about me, my work, and my life on the Outer Banks in my adopted home state of North Carolina, please do visit me on Instagram, Facebook, or my website. I’d love to see you there. And I love hearing from readers and book clubs. Email me at alicia@aliciabessette.com
What you’ll need for Sunday Morning Secret Ingredients Pancakes:
Two large bowls; measuring cups & spoons; whisk; spatula; microplane or zester; large skillet or griddle
Dry ingredients:
1 cup + 1 Tablespoon whole wheat flour, spooned and leveled
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon lemon, grapefruit, or orange zest (secret ingredient #1)
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon (secret ingredient #2)
½ teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients:
1 Tablespoon butter, melted (plus more butter for greasing the pan)
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk (for extra richness, use buttermilk)
1 ½ teaspoons good quality vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon, grapefruit, or orange juice (secret ingredient #3)
1. Put on your favorite Sunday morning music (for recommendations, see above).
2. Preheat oven to 185. Have a baking sheet or oven-proof dish ready (I use a cast iron pan) to keep pancakes warm as you go. If desired, cover with aluminum foil to prevent dryness.
3. In one bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
4. In the other bowl, whisk together wet ingredients.
5. Pour the wet into the dry and whisk gently until just moistened (try not to overmix; you might have a few small lumps and that’s okay).
6. Grease the cooking surface with butter (I rub it in with a folded paper towel), and heat cooking surface to medium-low.
7 For each pancake, spoon 2-3 Tablespoons of batter, and use the back of the spoon to shape into rounds. A large skillet should accommodate 3-4 pancakes at a time.
8. Cook until bubbles appear and begin bursting, 1-3 minutes. Flip with a thin spatula and cook 1-3 more minutes until the underside is golden brown. Transfer to oven to keep warm.
9. Continue with remaining batter, re-greasing the cooking surface as needed.
1 Serve warm with desired toppings & enjoy!
About SMILE BEACH MURDER
“Bessette offers everything a cozy lover could possibly want …” —Publishers Weekly on Smile Beach Murder
“... a page-turner ... I was enraptured ...” —Dru’s Book Musings
From author Alicia Bessette comes an all-new mystery series featuring Callie Padget, a former reporter turned bookshop clerk on the Outer Banks who is pulled into a deadly web of secrets when a mysterious fall at a lighthouse echoes a tragedy from her past.
When Callie is laid off from her reporting job, she returns to her hometown of Cattail Island and lands a gig at the local bookstore—the same one where she found comfort after her mother died.
In fact, the anniversary of her mother’s infamous death is approaching. Years ago, Teri Padget tumbled from the top of the lighthouse. As islanders are once again gossiping about the tragedy, devastating news strikes: the lighthouse has claimed another victim. Eva Meeks, of Meeks Hardware.
The police are calling it suicide, but Callie does not believe Eva jumped any more than she believes her mother did—especially because Callie knows that before her death, Eva had dug up a long-forgotten treasure hunt that could have put a target on Eva’s back.
In Callie’s search for answers, she enlists the help of some beloved books and several new friends, including handsome martial arts instructor Toby Dodge. But when another death rocks Cattail, Callie must face her fears alone. Earning enemies in pursuit of the truth, she will either uncover the killer—or become a victim herself.
Buy Links
https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593336885
https://bookshop.org/books/smile-beach-murder/9780593336885/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smile-beach-murder-alicia-bessette/1139996465?ean=9780593336885
https://www.powells.com/book/smile-beach-murder-9780593336885
https://www.amazon.com/Smile-Beach-Murder-Bookshop-Mystery/dp/0593336887
About Alicia Bessette
Before authoring the Outer Banks Bookshop mystery series, Alicia Bessette worked as a reporter in her home state of Massachusetts, where her writing won a first-place award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. A pianist, published poet, and enthusiastic birdwatcher, she now loves living in coastal North Carolina with her husband, novelist Matthew Quick.
Welcome to the blog, Alicia. I'm delighted to find someone else who makes whole wheat pancakes! I've been eating them for so long I now can't stand the ones made with white flour. Our tradition is to throw a half dozen frozen blueberries onto each disk as soon as it hits the pan, and eat with them syrup and plain yogurt.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of serving with yogurt. I bet that's yummy. Will try. Thanks Edith!
DeleteThese pancakes sound delicious! I already have my copy of Smile Beach Murder and it happens to be Sunday morning. I'm going to put on some Bill Withers (my Sunday morning music choice), make some pancakes, and get some reading done. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
ReplyDeleteBill Withers -- great choice! Bon appetit!
DeleteI checked and my library has it so please do not enter me. Favorite breakfast is either a full Irish or Irish Benedict..I do not have either very often.
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I've never had eggs Benedict? I need to rectify this! Thank you Gram.
DeleteWho doesn’t love pancakes? Will be trying these. Yum! Smile Beach Murder is on my TBR and I can’t wait to read. I eat a smoothie almost always for breakfast but my most favorite is cucumber, cream cheese on Dave’s Killer Bread with Everything but the bagel seasoning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol Sue! I am also a daily smoothie drinker (lunchtime for me), as is the heroine of Smile Beach Murder, Callie Padget.
DeleteI love buttermilk oatmeal pancakes for breakfast with fresh strawberries on top. They are delicious with or without maple syrup. Like you, I am a Van Morrison fan and would probably start with Into the Mystic. Thanks for sharing Martha’s recipe with some tweaks and for your giveaway! Celia Fowler. bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteButtermilk really does up the game, doesn't it?? Thanks Celia!
DeleteMy favorite breakfast food is my moms biscuits and gravy.
ReplyDeleteKitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net
Yum! Thanks Christine.
DeleteOh my, this recipe will be a keeper! Thank you! My favourite breakfast is either pancakes or French toast.
ReplyDeleteI also love French toast! Especially with lots of cinnamon.
Deletemy favorite breakfast food is pancakes. Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteJess
maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks Jess! From Alicia B.
DeleteWelcome to Mystery Lovers Kitchen Alicia! The pancakes look great and I know the book is too, as I just finished reading last night!
ReplyDeleteAh, so glad you enjoyed it! ☺️
DeleteThank you so much ☺️ So glad you enjoyed.
DeleteThanks a lot 😊 So glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually get breakfast since I'm at work but if I get a day off eggs or pancakes are my favorite.
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love homemade buttermilk biscuits with fresh canned jam and runny eggs. Great for dipping in the yolk. Excited to read this book. Butterflyboo123 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteGood morning Alicia! I’m always thrilled to find a new to me author. I’ve already liked you on Facebook. Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “SMILE BEACH MURDER”. I’ve already added it to my TBR list on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteLove the secret ingredients in your Sunday Morning Secret Ingredients Pancakes! I’ve never tried that, but I sure am going to. As for here, we love blueberry pancakes and pecan waffles for Sunday morning breakfast. When times are rushed or breakfast needs to be eaten on the go, I love All In One Breakfast Muffin. They are a whole breakfast all in a muffin. Super easy for me because I usually have all the ingredients on hand – including the already cooked bacon. Here is the recipe.
All In One Breakfast Muffin
Ingredients
1 ¾ cup flour
1 cup 3 minute oats
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
½ pound bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup onion - finely chopped
1/3 cup bell pepper – finely chopped
Directions
In bowl combine the dry ingredients (first 5) and set aside. Mix milk, egg and oil.
Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients all at once. Stir only until moistened.
Stir in bacon, cheese, onion and bell pepper.
Fill greased muffin pan 2/3 full.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes
Makes 1 dozen muffins
Thank you for the chance to win a hardback copy of your book! I would love to read and review it. Shared and hoping.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Congratulations on the book! The pancakes sound delicious. My favorite breakfast food is crispy waffles. Thanks for the chance! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYour pancakes look and sound delicious! My favorite breakfast foods are too numerous to select just one. So here is my favorite breakfast lineup : veggie, meat, and cheese loaded omelette, crispy bacon, and a freshly baked yeast sweet roll.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
My favorite breakfast is two vegetarian sausage patties with salsa & a cup of coffee. The pancakes look good though! I'd for sure have them with butter & warm Log Cabin syrup. lnchudej@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSundays are special. We enjoy sesame bagels lightly toasted with cream cheese and lox. So yummy and delectable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite indulgent breakfast is Cinnamon French Toast. Add a little maple syrup and what a delight that is. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Alicia! Thank you for being our guest. I'm going to try your pancake recipe. Congrats on the new release!
ReplyDeleteOh, I need a good FLUFFY pancake recipe. Mine always turn out hard as hockey pucks. A mix from scratch ight be the key. :) My favorite breakfast is German pancakes (those I can make). They're crepes buttered, filled, rolled, and dusted with powdered sugar. You can fill them with anything. Some of my family faves are jams, jelly's, yogurts, fresh fruits, or drizzles of honey or molasses. My favorite is cinnamon and sugar. YUM! Congrats on your debut. I can't wait to read it! :)
ReplyDeleteI just ordered it a week ago the cover is what drew me to try it
ReplyDeleteLoving the warm welcome! Thanks everybody 💗
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is Eggs Benedict!!
njcar22(at)aol(dot)com
So nice to meet you, Alicia! Your pancake recipe sounds absolutely delicious, and we even get background music suggestions! Wonderful...must try your recipe, but also want to read your intriguing SMILE BEACH MURDER!!! Thank you for sharing your cooking and writing talents with us eager readers! luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeletei love french toast with strawberries, congratulations on your book!
ReplyDeletei love french toast with strawberries, congratulations on your book! amandasmother(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWelcome Alicia! Those look yummy. I will have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing your secret ingredients and good luck with the new release.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting the Kitchen, Alicia. Your recipe and your book sound delicious! ~Maya
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read the book and I must make the pancakes! They sound amazing. 3labsmom(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThese secret ingredients sound like a great addition, especially the cinnamon! I'll have to try these, along with your book. I love hashbrowns or breakfast potatoes. Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway: khpinelake (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite breakfast is a loaded omelet, cheese, vegies, maybe a bit of bacon, along side a rye toast and a big cup of coffee. Book sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the opportunity! makennedyinaz (@) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite breakfast is one someone else cooks and cleans up from!
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
I love indulging in good breakfast at a restaurant. Pancakes, French toast, eggs, whatever as long as some good crisp bacon comes with it. patdupuy@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteBreakfast at home is generally oatmeal or Greek yogurt. My favorite breakfast at a local restaurant is wheat pancakes with blueberries, walnuts and mascarpone with Vermont maple syrup.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
My favorite breakfast would be scrambled eggs,
ReplyDeletefloppy bacon, hash browns covered with gravy,
and a biscuit. Best part is if it is made for me
by someone else. Book sounds great. Will
give it a try. thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love the cover. Sounds wonderful. This recipe looks delish. Although I like pancakes & avocados (haven't tried your version of avocado toast), my love is for french toast or toasted everything bagels with lox. Thanks for the chance & congrats on the great book. positive.ideas.4youATgmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite breakfast is cheesy grits and sausage patties with scrambled or runny eggs. Not very healthy so I don't have it frequently!!!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your new book, thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
sharonquiltsatyahoodotcom
My favorite breakfast is avocado toast when I'm at home, and either sausage and biscuits or Eggs Benny, which features mushroom gravy instead of hollandaise, if I get to have breakfast out. Your book looks good, so my fingers are crossed! tfitzh20@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm really not Anonymous - I'm Tracy F
DeleteI only get pancakes out. I do make French toast at home. sgiden at verizon(.)net
ReplyDeleteI like scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast. I also like waffles. lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLook at all these comments! What a lovely community you all have built here at MLK. It’s Alicia B here, checking in. Thank you all for being so wonderful 💝
ReplyDeleteI like waffles with butter and syrup. And bacon. But at home I usually have cashew butter toast.
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
My favorite breakfast food is sausage gravy and biscuits. I'm looking forward to reading your book, it's already on my TBR list.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Welcome! My favorite breakfast is French toast but my usual breakfast is a cinnamon raisin bagel. The pancakes sound great as does your book. lkish77123 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is French toast and sausage. Thanks for sharing your pancake recipe. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love a bowl of mixed fruits and melon for breakfast! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteWelcome!! My favorite breakfast is pecan pancakes topped with fruit. Thanks so much for the chance! Would love to win and review. You are a new author to me!
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com