Vicki here, and I'm delighted to welcome a Canadian author friend of many years, Melodie Campbell to tell us about her new book and share a recipe. Melodie is known for her wicked sense of humour which has no trouble coming across in her writing.
I’ve always felt sorry for the women on the Titanic who passed on dessert. So does my protagonist, Lucy Revelstoke, in the 1928-set cozy mystery, The Merry Widow Murders. Desserts on the Victoriana ocean liner are elaborate, but in her opinion nothing can compare to homemade lemon semifreddo.
The name means ‘half frozen’ in
Italian. Growing up, I was told that the
difference between ice cream and a semifreddo is that ice cream has air whipped
into it *after* being frozen. In my
recipe (and in most original recipes) air is whipped in *before* being frozen.
This recipe has been joyfully modified from
the original by a gal who was a big fan of short-cuts. That intrepid lady was my mother, a woman as
Sicilian as they come, and I defy anyone to find a better tasting lemon
dessert. Truly, it will be the easiest
dessert you’ve ever made!
Melodie’s Magic Lemon Semifreddo
20 minutes to make! Serves 6.
1 300 ml or 10 oz can Sweetened Condensed
Milk (NOT low fat)
¾ cup fresh lemon juice (3-5 lemons depending
on size)
1 spray can whipped cream (NOT low fat) or
2 cups fresh whipped
Squeeze the lemons. You should have ¾ cup of fresh lemon
juice. (No substitutes! The lemon juice must be fresh.) I make this dessert every month, so invested
in an electric lemon squeezer, as pictured.
You simply halve the lemons and press down on the revolving press.)
Combine the sweetened condensed milk with
the lemon juice in a bowl, and mix well.
Wait ten minutes until it thickens.
Measure 2 cups of whipped cream. Yes, you can whip your own if you prefer that
over the can. (I do for company.) Fold the whipped cream into the lemon
mixture, gently but thoroughly. Ladle
into six ramekin cups, or small glass bowls, and freeze for at least four
hours.
To serve:
This is like a very rich lemon ice cream if you serve it directly from
the freezer. I like to take it out about
15 to 20 minutes before serving, to soften it slightly, and some people allow
even more time than that. It’s up to you! Dollop a little whipped cream on top, and wait
for the compliments!
Called the “Queen of Comedy" by The
Toronto Sun, Melodie
Campbell has been compared to Janet Evanovich by Library Journal. No surprise, as she got her start writing
standup. Melodie has won ten awards for
humorous mystery fiction, including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of
Excellence. Her seventeenth book, The
Merry Widow Murders, has just been released by Cormorant Books.
“The high society flair of Death on the
Nile meets a 1920s ocean liner in this sensational cozy mystery from Melodie
Campbell.” Open Book
Lucy Revelstoke, unconventional widow of a
young British lord and daughter of a Canadian mobster, is crossing the Atlantic
in 1928. When an inconvenient dead body shows up in her stateroom, Lucy and
her-pickpocket-turned-maid Elf know how to make it disappear--and find the
killer. But can they do it before authorities look into Lucy’s dodgy past?
Now it’s your turn. I am ALWAYS looking for very easy homemade desserts. Do you have any favourites?
And while you’re at it, why not enter my contest for a free book? You can ask for The Merry Widow Murders, or any of my books. Simply visit my website to see more books. Pick a book, leave your selection in the comments here, and a winner will be announced Monday by midnight. www.melodiecampbell.com
This looks like a fabulous summer dessert, Melodie! Congratulations on your new historical - it sounds right down my alley.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Edith! I've loved reading historicals for years. Bout time I wrote one! smile
DeleteWelcome! I love making a simple strawberry shortcake truffle for dessert. Your recipe looks so good! I would love to be entered to win "The Merry Widow Murders" Thank you so much! You are a new author to me! ❤
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
You're in the contest, jarjm! Thanks so much for commenting.
DeleteThank you for the MELODIE’S MAGIC LEMON SEMIFREDDO recipe! I love it when yummy and easy blend so well. It sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of "The Merry Widow Murders". Now on my TBR list and I can't wait for the opportunity to read and review it.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Hi Kay! Thanks for the kind words :) Reviews are always welcome!
DeleteThanks for sharing this recipe. It looks yummy and I love how easy it looks. I can't wait to try it. Best of luck with your new release.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Valerie! Telling you in advance - this desert is addictive, grin. My favourite part is licking the bowl.
DeleteThank you for the recipe love lemon and this one is so simple. I would like the new book The Merry Widow Murders. Thank you for the chance. deborahortega229@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteYou're entered, Debora! Thanks for commenting!
DeleteThanks for sharing this with us. I love a lemon dessert
ReplyDeleteThe last comment is from me, Vicki.
ReplyDeleteMy turn to thank YOU, Vicki! What a nice group of people here.
DeleteI love lemon desserts and this sounds really easy. I’d like the Merry Widows Murder if I’m lucky enough to win.
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
It truly is the easiest recipe! I've got you entered!
DeleteOur recipe for Magic Lemon Semifreddo sounds cool and delicious! I would love to have a copy of The Merry Widow Murders!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Cool, yes - perfect fro summer! Thanks for entering, Nancy!
DeleteThis sounds really nice. I make a chestnut parfait when I have leftover custard It takes 2 minutes to make and tastes good. Mix a tin of creme de maŕron(sweet chestnut purée) with custard and a little cream and freeze. Serve with whipped cream.
ReplyDeleteGood golly, hearing your recipe has made my whole day worthwhile! I LOVE chestnut puree - that sounds terrific. Do you do equal amounts? I must experiment...
DeleteThis dessert looks yummy and rich, and it's simple to make - only 3 ingredients!! I always have sweetened condensed milk, and I'll try making this. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I would love to read The Merry Widow Murders! Thank you.
ReplyDeletecwkuen@yahoo.com
I like the 3 ingredients too, Emily - and only one bowl! You are entered :)
DeleteWelcome, Congratulations on your latest mystery, and thank you for the recipe Melanie!!! This dessert looks and sounds much like the Italian lemon dessert that was a staple at my large Italian family gatherings while growing up in Chile. I shall try to reproduce it as closely to your specifications, and enjoy it with gusto! As for desserts, the easiest dessert is to open up the freezer and take out an ice cream container and scoop a couple of balls into a bowl, get a spoon, and PRESTO! you've got an easy dessert you can eat immediately. Follow instructions and enjoy :-) I would love to read "The Merry Widow Murders"!!! Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteIf I should win because of my very easy-peesy dessert recipe, I would love "The Merry Widow Murders". Thank you so much Luis at ole dot travel
DeleteYou are entered, Luis! And I am smiling, re your recipe. Of course, in MY house we would throw a little Limoncello on top :)
DeleteHoly Mackerel does this look delicious! My easy go-to dessert is melting butterscotch chips, then folding in chow mein noodles and salted peanuts. It's so addicting. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteApril, you have taken me back to my childhood! Oh, that does sound good - I remember it being very sweet, and the peanuts adding a salty kick. You're entered!
DeleteGosh that sound amazing Melodie! thanks for bringing it to our kitchen today!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucy! Everyone is so welcoming here. Hope to come back.
DeleteYour dessert is delicious and lemon is my favorite flavor and especially for desserts. I would enjoy The Merry Widow Murders. An easy and quick delectable dessert which I make for the family is lemon pudding. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWe share that love of lemon! Thanks for commenting, and I've entered you!
DeleteWelcome to the Kitchen, Melodie, and congratulations on the new book!
ReplyDeleteThank you Leslie! I've really enjoyed being on here.
DeleteThis sounds soothing and delicious.
ReplyDeleteHow have I not run across this author before?!
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Thanks for entering, Libby! I wrote Janet Evanovich style capers before. This book is my first humorous historical cozy.
DeleteI'm a big fan of lemon and this looks like a really refreshing dessert. I can't wait to make it. I would like to read "The Merry Widow Murders" if I happen to win.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for commenting, Dianne! I've entered you in the contest.
DeleteI would love to win a copy of "The Merry Widow Murders". I will try your recipe sometime this summer (love lemon desserts!). One of my new easy go-to desserts is Fruit Pizza - using a watermelon slice as the "crust", Greek yogurt (I like honey vanilla the best) as the "filling" and whatever fresh fruit suits your fancy when you make it. Really good with strawberries and blueberries. For a more tropical dessert try mandarin oranges, mangos and kiwi fruit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
madamhawk at gmail dot com.
I'll try that, Madamh! It almost sounds too 'good for me' - grin. You're entered!
DeleteI've got two lemon trees outside literally throwing lemons at me in the wind. I am going to make this! Thanks, Melodie. (I've already read the Merry Widow Murders, so don't put me in the drawing, but I LOVED it.)
ReplyDeleteAnne, thank you so much for that endorsement! Wow - you're own lemon tree. I am truly envious, grin. You live in a blessed place.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the yummy recipe. For an easy treat for the summer I love to top ice cream with nutella. I checked your website and the B-Team sounds hilarious so I would choose that one to read. Thanks for the chance! cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeletemmmmm....nutella. Thanks for commenting, Cherie! I hope you win :) B-team is one of my faves.
DeleteA Killer Necklace is a book I'd like to win besides The Merry Widow Murders! I am inept in the kitchen so no recipes to share! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Linda! You're in the contest :)
Delete