Let's talk lunch! Three lucky readers will win a Fixer-Upper measuring tape---and who wouldn't love that?
She doesn’t do this alone, but with the help of her boyfriend Mac and her closest friends. Between them, they know pretty much everyone in Lighthouse Cove, so they can ask questions and discover things that the police can’t. One of the things I love best about writing mystery series is the feeling of community. We return to the same town, and interact with the same characters, book after book. It feels so homey, doesn’t it?
In Dressed to Drill, Shannon meets her girlfriends for lunch and a sleuthing session at their favorite local tea shop, where they enjoy Emily Rose’s famous coronation chicken salad. I thought this would be the perfect recipe to share here today. This chicken salad makes delicious sandwiches, too!
Coronation Chicken Salad
1 pound cooked chicken breast
¼ cup slivered almonds
1 Tbsp curry powder
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup cream
2 Tbsp apricot jam
¼ cup raisins
2 celery sticks
Heat a small pan over medium-high heat. Add the almonds and toast, stirring constantly, until golden, about a minute.
Set almonds aside and add the curry powder to the same pan. Toast until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Combine mayonnaise, cream, apricot jam and toasted curry powder with an immersion blender. Mix well.
Chop celery.
Scoop the coronation chicken salad onto mixed greens or use it to make a sandwich. Enjoy!
What is your favorite lunch spot? Do you have a favorite thing to order there?
Three random commenters will each win a Fixer-Upper Mystery measuring tape, my all-time favorite swag. (Be sure to leave your email address. International addresses accepted! Winners will be chosen Wed, May 24.)
SNEAK PEEK AT DRESSED TO DRILL
While you’re munching away on your coronation chicken, enjoy this sneak peek from Dressed to Drill. . .
I pushed open the chapel door. And
jumped back in shock.
The body of a young woman was sprawled on her back on the floor. She wore a white linen tunic over black tights and boots. Her long blonde hair covered half of her face and was splayed across the hard marble surface, almost as if she were posing.
“Oh, no.” Chills swept through my body. “This can’t be happening.”
“What is it?” Madeline asked, then spotted the woman and started to rush over to her.
I held my arm out to block her from entering the room. “Madeline, no. Stay back.”
She glared at me. “But she needs help.”
She is beyond help, I thought, but couldn’t say it. Instead, I said firmly, “Don’t come any closer.”
Madeline struggled to pull away
from me, then simply gave up trying. She stared down at the victim and all of a
sudden comprehension hit her. Her tote bag slipped from her grasp and she began
to scream.
ABOUT DRESSED TO DRILL
Contractor Shannon Hammer’s new project renovating an old
church reveals some old sins when a body is found on the premises in the latest
Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author Kate Carlisle.
While Shannon Hammer is thrilled to attend the premiere of the movie based on the latest book by her boyfriend, Mac, she can’t wait to trade her killer heels for work boots and start her next renovation project in Lighthouse Cove: a quaint Victorian church that has seen better days. And it will see them again—as an art museum—if Shannon, her talented crew, and her sister, Chloe, have anything to say about it.
However, on the first day of demolition, work comes to a screeching halt when they stumble upon the body of a beautiful young woman in one of the chapels. Who killed the assistant artistic director? Suspects crawl out of the woodwork as fast as Shannon can restore it. The church is hiding a century of secrets dating back to the days when smugglers wreaked havoc on the California coast. But it’s a more recent secret that leads to murder. Shannon and Mac will use every tool in their toolbox to nail down the truth before any more lives are sacrificed.
ABOUT KATE:
Kate Carlisle is the New York Times bestselling author of two ongoing series: the Bibliophile Mysteries featuring San Francisco bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright, whose rare book restoration skills uncover old secrets, treachery and murder; and the Fixer-Upper Mysteries (as seen on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries), featuring Shannon Hammer, a home contractor who discovers not only skeletons in her neighbors' closets, but murder victims, too.
Wecome back, Kate! I love the step of toasting the curry. Thanks for sharing the recipe, and congratulations on the new book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting me here today--and THANK YOU for congratulating me on DRESSED TO DRILL's release! I'm always so honored by readers' enthusiasm, so I'm still riding that release week high, which you know well. <3 And yes, toasting the curry makes a subtle but noticeable difference. It's very yummy and well worth the extra minute. :)
DeleteLOVE Kate's books! I can also testify what an amazing book "DRESSED TO DRILL" is.
ReplyDeleteLove the addition of the toasted curry and never thought about putting apricot jam in it either. Thank you for the recipe!
As seniors and with our schedule, we don't usually get much lunch. I do love going to our local mom and pop place and grabbing some fried dill pickle spears from time to time. The spears aren't available most places in our area and then are delicious.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Welcome Kate! I love coronation chicken and this recipe looks like a winner. Looking forward to the book!
ReplyDeleteThank you! ::mwah::
Deletecongratulations on another addition to a great series.
ReplyDeletefruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net
Thank you so much. I'm always nervous, but so many readers have told me this is their favorite yet that I'm starting to breathe again. ;)
DeleteRunza is a great hamburger and loose meat place. Always order a cheesburger. cheetahthecat1982ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteI've never heard the description "loose meat place." I'm intrigued.
DeleteI love chicken salad recipes so thank you for posting this one. My favorite local place is Dog Lane Cafe by UCONN in CT. I always order their...chicken salad sandwich. It's delicious and healthy. Thanks for the chance to win. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteAs you can probably guess, chicken salad is a go-to of mine, as well. Even when it's not good, it's not too bad. Pretty safe to order anywhere. :)
DeleteThanks for joining us, Kate! Hands down, my favorite lunch spot is the Echo Lake Cafe in our town -- well, at a crossroads a few miles out of town, with a fabulous view not of a lake but of the Swan Mountains. I ADORE breakfast for lunch, and their omelets and egg-stuffed crepes are fit for a queen -- me! And their Reubens are pretty tasty, too. Hmm, now I wonder if they make a chicken salad . . .
ReplyDeleteI just checked their menu. I see tuna salad but not chicken salad. But CREPES! OMG, those would be hard to resist.
DeleteSo hard to resist that I rarely bother. I am a creature of good habits. :)
DeleteI really enjoyed Dressed to Drill! Looking forward to trying the recipe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michele! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the book!
DeleteFavorite spot is Tiger’s Restaurant, love their Turkey Rachel sandwich.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up turkey rachel sandwich. I'm intrigued! I might have to try one next time I see it on a menu.
DeleteLooks like a Rachel is what is sometimes called a Rhonda: A Reuben made with turkey instead of pastrami.
DeleteHow delicious and healthy! I am thrilled to have a new salad that I can also use for a sandwich! Oh, how I love your cozy mysteries dear Kate! I love to get involved in Shannon's world, and your latest, "DRESSED TO DRILL" is in my TBR list!!! My favorite lunchtime restaurant is That Thai Restaurant in Fallbrook, CA, and my very favorite dish to order is Chicken Masman Curry. (I love curry) Thank you for sharing your writing talents and also your culinary expertise! luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteMy husband just burst out in laughter when he heard "culinary expertise" referencing me. LOL He does almost all of the cooking at our house. I'm famously much better at watching other people cook. But this salad is one that even I can do. ;) Thank you for your kind words about the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, Luis!
DeleteThis salad looks delectable and so appetizing. My favorite lunch spot is Paradise Cafe which is cozy, and has the best ever soups, salads and sandwiches. My favorite is tomato basil soup with a veggie panini. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOh, I adore a good veggie panini! And soups--I love a delicious, brothy soup with lots of flavor.
DeleteIt looks great but what could you substitute for the curry if you don’t have it and can’t find it? I live in a very small town. Only 2 traffic lights 1 store 1 gas station.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why my comment showed up as anonymously. So I’ll repeat it. Sounds great. But what can you use in place of curry? I live in a very small town. 2 traffic lights ,1gas station 1 store.
DeleteI'm not an expert by any means. My best advice would be to buy some curry powder online. There are lots of options. If you're not up for online shopping, then I'm afraid you'd have to ask Google. Or maybe your local grocery store could order it for you???
DeleteMy reply disappeared, so I'll try again. :) I'm not an expert so have no idea what you would substitute for curry powder. If I lived in a small town that didn't sell it, I would buy it online. There are loads of options. If you're not up for shopping online, then perhaps your local grocery store could order it for you???
DeleteVickie and Kate, I can answer that! Curry powder is not a single spice but a blend of spices that are actually quite common. My spice girl, Pepper, shared a recipe in Guilty as Cinnamon, the 2d Spice Shop book, so if you've got that, take a look. It's super simple: a tablespoon each of coriander and turmeric, and 1-1/2 teaspoons each cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Makes 1/4 cup. Other common variations/additions: black pepper, cumin, cardamom, and yellow mustard.
DeleteThank you, Leslie! I'm never going to do that--but good to know. LOL
DeleteRachel’s Cafe. Wonderful crepes! Chris.maksimak@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteAnother crepe-lover! This is really putting me in the mood for them.
DeleteI love an old fashioned 1950's lunch experience. They have disappeared over the years so I go to another spot which is Flying Star. A Chinese salad which is light and tasty is always enjoyed. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThat's really intriguing. I wonder whether we all share an idea of what a 1950s lunch experience would be. I'm picturing a roast beef sandwich on white bread with lots of Miracle Whip--and potato chips on the side. :) It does sound delicious!
DeleteThis looks so delicious and is making me hungry! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! <3
DeleteWe have had chicken salad with curry and with pineapple, diced apple, grapes, raisins, or craisins and with nuts but never thought of using apricot jam or any soft fruit. Will be trying this. I love both your fixer-upper and bibliophile series.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I've never thought of using pineapple in it, but I bet that would be delicious. (BTW, if you'd like to enter the giveaway, please share your name and email address so I can notify you if you win.)
DeleteSharron racinggirl3@gmail.com
DeleteThank you for sharing the Coronation Chicken recipe. I'm looking forward to reading Dressed to Drill. We "fixed up" a Victorian house built in the late 1800's so I totally identify with some of Shannon's experiences although we didn't find a body! My favorite place to have lunch is Lia's Kitchen, an Asian fusion restaurant here in our little town. I always get the Vietnamese Spring Rolls and the Miso Soup. lnchudej@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'm GLAD you didn't find a body!!! That's an experience I think we can all live without in real life. I love Vietnamese Spring Rolls, especially with peanut dipping sauce. Yum!
DeleteThis is a tempting recipe.
ReplyDeleteIs a tablespoon of curry powder really enough to flavor all that? Impressive.
libby dodd at comcast dot net
I would suggest you start with a tablespoon, and then if it's too mild for you, add more. :) It's easy to add and impossible to subtract.
DeleteToo true!
DeleteNever seen Coronation chicken made with jam. I've always had it with chopped up dried apricots. Might have to try your recipe, minus the almonds (one of my kids is allergic) next time we make it.
ReplyDeleteI so seldom go out for lunch that I don't really have a favourite lunch spot. I do , however, have a favourite dinner spot. It's a local Japanese restaurant called Sakura. My favourite thing to get there is #24C, chicken teriyaki with tempura and California roll
I like the smoothness of the jam, but I've seen many recipes that call for dried apricots. Both are delicious. And YUM on chicken teriyaki and California roll!
DeleteThe chicken salad looks good, but I don't think I like the raisins in it. I used toasted chopped almonds in my cornbread dressing for my turkey and they are wonderful, so I love this addition. I love all of your books and characters. Will there be any more Hallmark movies on your Fixer Upper Mysteries? Madeleine Spangler madspangler@comcast.net as it won't let me get rid of the anonymous (I know I am not doing something that I should).
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Madeleine -- Blogger stymies us all now and then!
DeleteHi, Madeleine. You're not alone--there are lots of anonymous comments today, so I'm sure Blogger is messing with many people. Thank you for loving my books! I think it's unlikely that more Fixer-Upper Mysteries will be made for Hallmark, though I would love that. There were some scheduling conflicts that got in the way, and then the pandemic happened. I'm not sure they'll be able to get the team back together.
DeleteLooks scrumptious, Kate! Thanks for visiting the kitchen today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me! This conversation is making me hungry. Think I'll have, hmmm, chicken salad for lunch. ;)
DeleteBoth the chicken salad & book sound wonderful! Thank you! I think I'll try to enjoy the chicken salad while reading! My favorite lunch spot is Ken's NY Deli in Bedford, MA. I usually get The Bostonian.
ReplyDeletelfrieze@msn.com
I just looked up their menu, Lisa, and the Bostonian looks delicious! I wonder if they'd grill the onions if I asked... ;)
DeleteThanks for joining us today, Kate and congratulations on the new book. Your chicken sounds delicious. I love curry in just about anything.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pleasure to be here, Vicki. Thank you for the warm welcome! Or should I say the warm, spicy welcome?
DeleteCongratulations on the new book! Love the book cover! My favorite lunch spot is in my little town. They make the BEST chicken salad and burgers. I'm craving one now, haha.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!!
jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
And now I'm craving a burger, too! :D Maybe sometime this week. . .
DeleteCongratulations on your new release! I'm looking forward to reading the book. My favorite lunch is a good taco salad.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Oooooh, taco salad, Dianne! YUM!!!
DeleteCongratulations on another wonderful book! My favorite lunch spot is Jimmy's Egg but I don't have a favorite meal. We only recently discovered it and I have been picking something different every time we've gone. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the congrats, Riley! I'm so glad you enjoyed DRESSED TO DRILL. <3 I have such a hard time ordering something new when I know there's something on the menu that I love. What if it's not as good? I do try to stretch myself, but often fall into dietary habits.
DeleteWe enjoy going to Another Broken Egg. It is a great place for us to gather as a family and have a delicious brunch meal. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteBrunch is my favorite! :D
DeleteMy go-to lunch spot is L&L Drive Inn, where I pick up garlic chicken, or chicken katsu with rice & mac salad, or with greens if I'm feeling guilty. winnie968(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteGuilty greens! That made me chuckle, Winnie. I do that, too.
DeleteMy favorite lunch spot is the Fish Market and I love eating the lighteaters plate it is so good you get a screwer of misc fish plus cheesy augratin potatoes and cole slaw I used to work about 2 min from there and every Friday I went there for lunch plus a few other days of the week if I got a lunch hour. I was just in Calif for a month no tech at all just my son and his kids. I went there for an emergency and the plane rides were horrible got stuck over night in Denver and that is one place I wish I could of had lunch in but my plane didn't land till 10:30 pm and by the time I found an hotel was 11:45 as missed my connecting the plane was late due to not enough employees. Oh well made it home safely and ate great burgers at home! peggy clayton
ReplyDelete