LUCY BURDETTE: There's nothing I love more than seeing a good friend who's worked hard for years have her first book published! Christine Falcone has part of my writers' group for a long time, so I am thrilled that this day has finally arrived. Today we are celebrating Chris's first novel EX'D OUT with a recipe and giveaway. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a paperback copy of her new book!
CHRISTINE FALCONE: Melanie Bass, the main character in my debut novel EX’D OUT doesn’t cook much. She is divorced and living alone with the exception of her little terrier mix dog Bruno, and Bruno does not eat people food. Melanie mostly just grabs a yogurt and fruit or a tuna sandwich after work instead of cooking an entire meal for herself. This changes when Melanie acquires a roommate who does like to cook and is willing to put a more substantial meal on the table for both of them to share.
Like Melanie, in my long-ago single days, I was prone to just grab a sandwich or scramble an egg for dinner. That changed when I married a man with three children and suddenly a whole nutritious meal was required – E.V.E.R.Y N.I.G.H.T. Soon we had four more children so our total was seven plus two adults. I am the oldest of eight children, and my mother was an excellent cook who passed on her recipes to me so I had a good store of ideas at my disposal (and the necessity of at least doubling every recipe that serves four I found in a cookbook). The snags I hit, as most people with children know, was who doesn’t like potatoes or rice or pasta or “stinky cheese” (my husband). In the end I tried to please the majority. One dish that pleases everyone however is my baked stuffed scrod. Simple and quick enough for Melanie to make.
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs cod (or haddock or other whitefish of your choice. Allow ½ lb. fish per person – I tend to cook more than needed- old habit.)
Ritz crackers (I use 3 sleeves for 2 lbs fish)
1-11/2 sticks butter
4 cloves garlic minced (or two heaping TBSPs of jar minced)
2 large splashes lemon juice plus one more splash on raw fish
¼ cup white wine
1 TBSP chopped parsley (or parsley flakes)
1 can crabmeat
Rise fish under running water, layer single layer in pan, splash with lemon and pepper.
Crumble crackers in large bowl, add parsley and crabmeat. Melt butter in pan and add garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes to release flavor. Add lemon juice and wine and stir. Pour over cracker mixture and mix until crackers are moist. Top fish with the mixture.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork.
Serve with cocktail sauce (my husband and son) or another splash of lemon juice as desired.
About EX’D OUT: After their divorce, visiting nurse Melanie Bass must keep in contact with Dr. Artie Krapaneck, her philandering ex-husband as they share custody of her beloved dog, Bruno. When she arrives at a Connecticut highway rest stop to retrieve the dog for “her week” she discovers the body of her ex-husband along with that of an unknown woman. It seems that now Artie will finally be out of her life forever. He isn’t.
Melanie soon has reason to suspect that her gruesome discovery has put her own life, and Bruno’s, in danger. She decides she must find out who killed Artie and why. She begins to fear that he may have left in her possession the link to something the killers want. As the police try to solve the murder, she uncovers information on her own. Melanie learns how much she never knew about the man she was married to for five years, a man she thought she knew so well. She comes face to face with his first wife, Lynn, a woman she never knew existed. However, with Lynn’s help, as well as that of a kind and eligible veterinarian who is treating Bruno for PTSD, she takes on the killers before they kill both her and Bruno.
Leave a comment about your family's favorite dinner dish to be entered in the drawing!
BIO: Christine Falcone’s short stories have appeared in publications such as Imagine, Lancrom Review, and Deadfall: Crime Stories by New England writers. After working for nearly forty years as an RN in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Christine is delighted that retirement coincides with the publication of her first full length mystery. EX’D OUT will be out in October 2022. She is a member of Sisters In Crime and Mystery writers of America.
She lives on the Connecticut Shoreline with her family and a dog who is not nearly as well behaved as Bruno, the beloved canine in her novel.
That looks delicious, Christine! Congratulations on the book, and welcome to the Kitchen
ReplyDeleteThank you Edith!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting story! Good luck! My Mom was a very good cook. Would love to have her from scratch chocolate cake with choc cream cheese frosting. Or her veal cutlets. Or her “cheoreg/keteh” (an Armenian bread).
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have several of my mothers recipes, but my siblings and I just had a text message go round about who ended up with her recipe file after she passed away. I'm sad to say it wasn't me. I wonder who does have it?
DeleteCongratulations on the book! It sounds like a great story, and I’m adding it to my TBR list. My family’s favorite meal was a chicken and rice dish that my mother made. I still make it — it is definitely a comfort food for me. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you! Good luck in the give away!
DeleteThe book looks good.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLooks good! We have a lot of casseroles and homemade pizza, but the favorite is probably holubchi, a Ukrainian recipe from my dad's side, though his family always made it a little different than the "traditional" way.
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
I know what you mean about veering slightly from the "traditional" recipe. With one bread in particular that my mother always made I explain that you will see several different recipes, but this is the way My mother ( and her mother) made it.
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book. suefoster109 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue. Good luck in the drawing for the book.
DeleteCongratulations on the new book! It sounds really good and I love that little Bruno on the cover. Our favorite meal is my mom's old recipe for chicken noodle soup. Homemade noodles and homemade broth. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThe soup sounds delicious! I love chicken noodle soup, especially this time of year.
DeleteWelcome, and congrats.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Good luck in the drawing for the book!
DeleteLooking so delicious! And congratulations for the book. I'm sure you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! This is one of my favorite dishes - I like to make it with the cod loin ( when it is on sale!)
DeleteHubby and I love fish - just about any kind and in any form. We have some form of fish every week - sometimes twice. Thank you for this delicious sounding recipe which I will be fixing.
ReplyDeleteHubby is excellent at grilling/smoking meats. One of my favorite meals is when he smokes a pork shoulder all day making pulled pork for supper. I fix the sides which are often homemade baked beans (no canned here) and pan fried potatoes with onions.
Since it's just the two of us. I have had to adapt many recipes down instead of up. We also eat what sounds good at the time - no waiting for a special holiday to have things like turkey and dressing with sides associated with Thanksgiving. With a hubby who doesn't really care to eat leftovers, I often kiddingly tell folks that your name has to be in the pot to eat because I've gotten to where I can fix a meal and when we get up there's nothing leftover. :)
Congratulations on the release of EX'D OUT, which sounds like a fabulous book! I would love the opportunity to read and review this book, which is now on my TBR list. Thanks you for the chance to win a copy.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I agree with you about eating what sounds good at the time - why wait to make something just at certain times of year. Your barbecue meal sounds delicious - my family LOVES barbecue
DeleteGood luck in the drawing for the book!
Love the cute dog on the cover!! Your book sounds like a fun read. My family’s favorite dinner is just a simple goulash and mashed potatoes. Everyone eats it as is, no additions or subtractions to the food!!
ReplyDeletePerfect! I love when everyone is in agreement on what to eat!
DeleteChristine, your recipe sounds delicious! I would love to read your book. I am always overjoyed to discover new to me authors and their wonderful books.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you! Good luck in the drawing for the book!
DeleteThis sounds so good, Chris. Congratulations on EX'D Out! I loved it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It would go good with your twinkie tiramisu as dessert!
DeleteCan’t wait to read this - on my list now!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it!
DeletePutting "Ex's Out" on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThe book sounds delightful, and the recipe sounds delicious! All ingredients are my favorite! However, it would be too much for just two of us. We normally coat the cod filets with mixture of mayonnaise and parmesan cheese.
ReplyDeleteI don't cook (but I clean), my husband does..Lately his obsession is home-made taco bowls. He would deep fry the burrito-size tortilla into the bowl shape - he uses some thong and potato masher to make the shape.Then he grills some marinated chicken. Make some pico de gallo. Waa-laa, dinner is served. Thank you for the giveaway.
cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
The recipe can be adjusted to feed only two, also. Congratulations on having a husband who loves to cook. My family would love those taco bowls!
DeleteMy favorite dinner dish in baked chicken with a baked potato. cheetahthecat1982@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThat sounds good to me! Good look in the drawing for the book>
DeleteThat sounds good to me! ( I thought I responded before so if this is a repeat i apologize!)
DeleteMy daughter and granddaughter (age 6) are in love with salmon. I find it a bit overwhelming in flavor and oiliness. This summer we discovered steelhead trout. Very salmon-like but more approachable. It's a big hit around here.
ReplyDeleteYou recipe sounds quite tasty.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I really like salmon - but the filet, I can't do the bones in the steak. We used to have locally caught lake trout as children, but I will have to try steelhead trout.
DeleteI will have to try steelhead trout - as kids we had rainbow trout.
DeleteRainbow trout is lovely, but very different from steelhead trout.
DeleteYour recipe looks good! My family's favorite recipe is baked chicken, rice and broccoli cheese casserole. Thanks so much for the chance! You are a new author to me!
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(@)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you! One of the few things my husband makes is rice, chicken and broccoli casserole. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteMy favorite is chicken breast seasoned with butter and garlic powder with au gratin potatoes and brocolli.
ReplyDeleteLindalou64(@)live(dot)com
That is also one of my favorites!
DeleteThe book would be greatly enjoyed and is entertaining. Our favorite family dinner is salmon with kale and roasted brussels sprouts. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love salmon filet, but can't do salmon steaks ( Bones- even though they are soft!)
DeleteEx'd out is unique and captivating. A dinner that has always been appreciated is eggplant with meatballs. This is for the fall and winter. Very tasty and appetizing. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favorites-meatballs and eggplant!
DeleteI don't know if my family has a favorite dish! They're thrilled if I just make something they like. Chili is well received when the weather turns cold. Congratulations Christine!
ReplyDeletepatdupuy@yahoo.com
Thank you Pat!
DeleteCongratulations on your debut, Christine! We're delighted to have you here at the Kitchen today. After scrolling through the comments, I am seriously hungry for dinner -- and it's still mid-morning here!
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me Leslie! You can see how many people mentioned food that is also on my favorites list!
DeleteCongratulations, Christine, on your debut novel! It sounds like a great read. I also liked reading about your background. I love scrod and this looks like a dish my girls will eat. One likes seafood and the other is a bit more picky and does not like salmon or shrimp. But this dish looks mild enough for the picky eater to try.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes this scrod dish is mild so if your daughter likes sea food at all she should like it prepared this way.
DeleteCongratulations Christine on getting your 1st book published. I know you must be ecstatic.. I'm very happy for you and can't wait to read it. My favorite is my grandma's chicken & dumpings. I am lucky enough I make them just like she did and everyone wants me to make them when they come to our house.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I hope you like it when you read it. As far as your chicken and dumplings - it is so gratifying when you know your family is really looking forward to something you are preparing.
DeleteHi Christine. I love reading books set in the northeast, especially when they are mysteries. I am really looking forward to reading EX'D OUT. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of it.
ReplyDeleteThere's no way I could pick just one dish as my family's favorite. I have seven children and each has a favorite including tacos, spaghetti, mac & cheese, chicken legs, pizza, shrimp, and pierogies. We're pretty much all over the board when it comes to food.
I hope you like the book! I certainly know what you mean when you say each child has a favorite! Everyone just has to take a turn having you make their favorite dish! Good luck in the book drawing
DeleteCongratulations on the release of your first book. That has to be really exciting! I have it on my TBR list, I'm looking forward to reading it. Pork schnitzel is a favorite in our family. My Sister makes really good schnitzel and we've started having it on holidays instead of ham or turkey.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you - I hope you enjoy EX'D OUT!
DeleteWe enjoy taco or burrito night! Congrats on the release and enjoyed the recipe! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThank You!
DeleteBoth book and recipe sound wonderful. Will be on the lookout for a deal on some sort of whitefish. Favorites around here vary depending on who you ask. I make my mom and grandma's recipe for sauerkraut with ribs and sausage, but my favorite is pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onions and mushrooms because I use the leftover everything to start a big pot of vegetable beef and barley soup. Best of luck on your new career as a novelist!! makennedyinaz(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you Marcia! I'm with you on the pot roast and potatoes!
DeleteDuring the fall and winter, chili with all the fixings is one of my family's favorite meals. Thanks for sharing your recipe. It sounds yummy! cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is making the chili for dinner tonight!
ReplyDeleteI never knew what scrod I was before but now I do. Your recipe sounds delicious. We eat a lot of fish at our house. And your book sounds terrific. lkish77123 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteA favorite is my Mom's homemade won ton soup which we have at family gatherings. Thanks for the cod recipe - one of my favorite fishes!
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
We like chicken, mashed potatoes, and salad. lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is gone from Sunday night thru Friday so when he comes home we make anything from cheesecake to lasaga as I am battling RSD and my hands are deformed that is why i can only read print no tech so it;s he and I in the kitchen I try to be the sous chef and take all the ingrediants out of the cupboards for him. Of course he usually yells at me as I forgot one or he can't find it. I love ribs so our favorite dish is bakes bbq pork ribs I made a bbq sauce that has garlic in it and wow I loved it ptclayton2 at aol.com peggy clayton
ReplyDelete