VALERIE (V.M.) BURNS: Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Debra H. Goldstein author of the Sara Blair Mystery series to the Mystery Lovers' Kitchen,
DEBRA H. GOLDSTEIN: When I sold the Sarah Blair mystery series to Kensington, I was told each book needed to contain recipes. I blanched. Sarah Blair, like me, finds being in the kitchen more frightening than murder.
Deciding that Sarah would only make recipes with pre-made or simple ingredients, I found a perfect recipe that was in all the women’s magazines in the mid-sixties: Jell-O in a Can. It was a recipe co-sponsored by Jell-O and Dole pineapple. All it required was Jell-O, water, and Dole pineapple rings. More importantly, the name of the recipe was fun and made readers laugh.
Ingredients:
3 egg yolks
7 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons rum
Brew 4 cups strong coffee
500 gm mascarpone
2 packs lady fingers
½ of a large container of Cool Whip
Cocoa for sprinkling as topping/garnish
Directions:
Add 2 tablespoons of the sugar to the egg yolks and mix until the color of the mixture becomes whiteish. Add the mascarpone and mix for five minutes. Add the rum, remaining 5 tablespoons of powdered sugar, and the Cool Whip. Mix thoroughly.
Using the coffee completely cooled, dip the lady fingers in the coffee quickly, without soaking them. Layer them in a dish and cover them with the above cream mixture.
Dip more lady fingers into the coffee and layer them over the cream mixture. Apply another layer of cream. Sprinkle with cocoa and cool in the refrigerator.
READERS: For a chance to win a copy of Five Belles Too Many (U.S. only), tell me, Jell-O or Tiramisu, and why?
Five Belles Too Many
When Sarah Blair’s mother is a finalist to win the perfect Southern Wedding in a reality TV show competition, Sarah is pressed into service as Mother Maybelle’s chaperone. After the show’s producer is found dead, with Sarah’s greatest nemesis kneeling by the body, Sarah must find the true killer before any other contestants or crew are permanently eliminated.
Buy or gift a copy of Five Belles Too Many from: Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Five-Belles-Sarah-Blair-Mystery/dp/1496732235 Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-belles-too-many-debra-h-goldstein/1140225124
Your favorite indie bookstore.
DEBRA H. GOLDSTEIN
Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, and One Taste Too Many). Her short stories, which have been named Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer finalists, have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Malice Domestic Murder Most Edible, Masthead, and Jukes & Tonks. Debra served on the national boards of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and was president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com. You can also connect with Debra at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor
Twitter: @DebraHGoldstein
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debrahgoldstein/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-h-goldstein
I love anything sweet….don’t know if I could choose
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to sweet, it is difficult for me to choose, too.
Deletecongrats on the new book Debra!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteFor me it would be Jello. It reminds me of my childhood and I've always loved Jello with fruit. I'd probably add a dollop of whipped cream topped with some chopped nuts to the slice before serving. I'm not a coffee fan and to me cocoa needs sweetening is why the Tiramisu lost this toss up.
ReplyDeleteWould love the opportunity to read "Five Belles Too Many"! Always glad to help promote the books I read through leaving reviews and then sharing those reviews on social media. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I have been finding so many delicious Jell-O recipes. Who knew? I like your idea of adding whipped cream and nuts.
DeleteWelcome back, Debra, and congrats on the new book! When I make this, I will substitute whipped cream or creme fraiche or some real cream product. ;^)
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it comes out.
DeleteI love jello because of the different flavors and how it wiggles.
ReplyDeleteKitten143@verizon.net
I was never crazy about pure Jell-O, but loved to watch it wiggle. My mom did have a recipe that she made at Thanksgiving that I thought was wonderful --- unfortunately, that was the only time she made that Jell-O recipe with its nuts and other ingredients.
DeleteI would say Tiramisu because it is so very delicious.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I'm a Tiramisu fan because I really love the distinctive cocoa taste.
DeleteWhat fun your books are, Debra!!! Tiramisu definitely, but a close second are those Jell-O infused pineapple slices over lettuce (nooot :-)) Tiramisu is one of my favorite deserts when dining out, and have never tried making it, because it seemed way too difficult...thanks for the recipe...now I see that lil' ol' me can probably get away with making it...it seems so easy!...(I hope I don't get tempted by the rum and end up falling asleep with my face in the mixture :-) ) Thank you so much for your most entertaining and humorous cozies. Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments about my books. As you know, the recipes had to be simple and this one amazed me with the ease with which it can be made.
DeleteTiramisu because of the coffee and cocoa.
ReplyDeletewskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm right there with you.
DeleteWelcome! I like Tiramisu. So delicious and such a beautiful dessert.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance! Would love to read and review!
jarjm1980(@)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for leaving a comment and entering. When Tiramisu is plated right, it really looks good.
DeleteWhen we were young we had jello for dessert every week. Plain and simple jello. We never had anything fancy so I enjoyed jello greatly. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI was the opposite. When it was served plain and simple, I wasn't impressed by it.
DeleteCongratulations on your latest book, Debra! And thanks for sharing your recipe. I was subjected to too much jello in my youth. Anything with jello: NO. Tiramisu: Yes, but with real cream, as Edith suggested.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Edith's changes will make it richer, but the simplicity of this recipe is what I liked. As for too much Jell-O .... I think that is in the eye of the beholder.
DeleteTiramisu is a real treat which I never indulge in but if I did I would savor every bite. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIn the last years of her life, my mother had an Italian restaurant that she absolutely loved us to take her to. The food was good, but not great, but the Tiramisu was to die for. It didn't matter how full we were, we were sharing the Tiramisu.
DeleteI'm excited to meet you Debra and to learn about your books. The Jello-in-a-Can is now on my "try it" list because my Mom made a Jello dessert at least once a week when I was growing up and my husband loves pineapple so what could be more perfect! lnchudej@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteDelighted to meet you, too. You must let me know how your husband enjoys Jell-O in a Can.
DeleteI've had tiramisu a few times, loved it, and assumed it was out of my cooking league. Thanks for this very doable recipe, Debra, and congratulations on book 5 in your wonderful series!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly. I felt the same way - loved Tiramisu, but never considered making it until a reader shared this family recipe with me.
DeleteJello is my preferred dessert
ReplyDeleteIs there a special way you like your Jell-O?
DeleteI'll take the other position, tiramisu in the end.
DeleteOuch. I made Jello in a Can way back in the day. I vote for the tiramisu. I love any dessert that has a creamy layer.
ReplyDeletepatdupuy@yahoo.com
Pat, I agree. Nothing beats coffee and cream (even if it is merely a creamy layer)
DeleteCreamy layer and coffee... heaven!
DeleteJello because I'm not a fan of coffee.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
I always liked coffee ice cream, but coffee was a taste I acquired with age.
DeleteI love tiramisu! It's always my husband's favorite. Congrats on the next book in the series! I have ready many of them and enjoyed them!
ReplyDeleteTina, thank you for having read many of the books in the series. Glad you have enjoyed them.
DeleteJello. I have never been a fan of tiramisu. lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOne good thing about Jell-O is the variety of recipes.
DeleteCongrats on the release, tiramisu because jello is not filling! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way .
DeleteI am definitely a jello girl. Congrats on the release!
ReplyDeleteJess
maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAny recipe with cool whip sends me running in the other direction.
ReplyDeleteBut real whipped cream would work...
Jello? NO
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Real whipped cream for me, too. Jell-O depends upon the recipe. As I noted above somewhere, my mother had a Thanksgiving one that had so much in it, one forgot it was a Jell-O mold.
DeleteJello with fruit inside. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteI prefer that version to plain Jell-O, but I like the recipe with nuts and cream cheese (?) and a few other things better.
ReplyDeleteTiramusu - so light and melt in your mouth -like eating a cloud of flavor.
ReplyDeletelindalou64(@)live(dot)com
Tiramisu, hands down...I am not much of a jello fan and what's not to like about Tiramisu...chocolate, coffee, mascarpone! YUM!!
ReplyDeleteI so agree!
DeleteTiramisu for sure it sounds delicious. I do love coffee! Donakutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCoffee flavoring and the creamy texture of tiramisu can't be beat.
ReplyDelete