Vicki here and I’m delighted to welcome back my good friend Melodie Campbell. Melodie and I met when she was the ED of the Crime Writers of Canada and I was on the board, and we’ve remained friends even now that we’ve both left those august positions.
___
Lady Lucy Revelstoke, star of The Silent
Film Star Murders, may be a titled English gal now, but she didn’t start out that
way. Daughter of a Canadian mobster, her
roots are firmly Sicilian, as are mine. When she is famished from missing meals
while investigating murder, this is what she craves. A trip to the kitchens on the Victoriana Ocean
Liner will usually satisfy this.
The book takes place in 1928, but these
ricotta tarts have been in my family for long before that. Probably, these are best described as Italian
cheesecake baked in little muffin cups. They
are crustless, low in sugar (only ¼ cup of sugar for 12) and can be eaten as
is, as a protein rich snack, or dolled up with a dollop of lemon curd, the
traditional way. I also use homemade
raspberry jam on top for a different taste.
These are so easy, you can involve kids and
grandkids in the making! My five-year-old
grandson calls these ‘Grandma Tarts’, and they are a family imperative.
Easy Ricotta Tarts
1 tub fine or extra fine ricotta cheese
(about 2 cups)
3 eggs
¼ cup sugar
1 teas vanilla
2 T flour
2 T cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together well. Then spoon into muffin cups – I use an ice cream scoop.
Bake at 350 degrees for 24 minutes. Let cool slightly (although they are very good warm!)
Note that the tops will be dished. This is perfect for the final step!
Spoon lemon curd (I use MACKAYS from Scotland) or jam into the dished tops, if desired.
These are good warm or cold, and can be
frozen (before adding topping.)
About The Silent Film Star Murders
1928, at Sea: Lady Lucy Revelstoke and her
pickpocket-turned-maid Elf are once again embarking on a Transatlantic
crossing. Also on board, are Renata Harwood, star of the silver screen, and her
former understudy, Stella Burke. Roy
Armitage may be Renata’s husband now, but he used to be Stella’s man. Everyone expects delicious drama at dinner,
and they are not disappointed. But before long, Lucy and Elf are faced with
another high society murder, featuring rival film stars, resentful ex-lovers,
and renegade snakes!
About Melodie Campbell
Compared to Agatha Christie by The
Toronto Star, Melodie Campbell writes golden age mysteries. Winner of ten awards for mystery fiction,
including The Derringer (US) and the Crime Writers of Canada Award of
Excellence, Melodie has 18 books and over 60 short stories, but she got her
start writing stand-up.
Melodie would love to give a signed paperback (or ebook) copy of The Silent Film Star Murders to one lucky reader who can answer the following question: Can you name another writer of cozies who is Canadian?
These sound delicious, and welcome to the blog, Melodie! I never thought about a Canadian Mob. You have so many wonderful authors there, including our own Vicki. Now I need to go hunt down your books.
ReplyDeleteThanks Edith! Hamilton, particularly, has a huge Sicilian population, since WW1. My family came here before that, actually, but the roots go deep. Yes, Vicki is the best, and it's a true pleasure to be on here!
DeleteAnd you're in the Contest!
DeleteThese look and sound wonderful
ReplyDeleteWhat does “dished” mean in how they are to look?
Yes! They sink a bit in the middle, and that makes it perfect for a dollop of jam or lemon curd. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteWelcome Melodie, the tarts sound yummy and so do your books!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucy! This is a snack or dessert that is so loaded with protein, I can feel feel good about serving.
DeleteA pleasure to be on here today!
Thank you so much for the Easy Ricotta Tarts recipe! They sound delicious and super easy to make - a great combination. Love anything that has that cheesecake flavor. I'd have to top with the lemon curd - also one of my favorite flavors.
ReplyDeleteThe first Canadian cozy mystery author that comes to mind is Vicki Delany. I'm sure as soon as I hit send, I will think of many more.
The Silent Film Star Murders sounds like a fabulous story. Greatly enjoy stories set in this era. I've already added it to my Goodreads TBR list. Can't wait to enjoy reading and review it.
Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Hi Kay! I really hope you enjoy the tarts, and the book! I love this era too - particularly enjoyed researching the fashions (which I do describe in the book :) You're in the contest!
DeleteThis really sounds delicious, and easy! I am going to take a batch to book club next time.
ReplyDeleteCanadian cozy author? Maureen Jennings. Does she qualify?
Yes she does! She is a pal of mine, and we're doing an interview together at the MOTIVE conference in Toronto in two weeks! We're with the same publisher...my books are late 20s, hers are mid 30s. You're in the contest!
DeleteWelcome Melodie. And thanks so much for that lovely looking recipe. I have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to be on here! Such a nice group of people. Thanks again for the introduction, Vicki :)
DeleteWelcome Melodie! Your book, as well as your delicious recipe sound amazing! I will buy your book and will make these beautiful tarts!!! Thank you for sharing! JOY! Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteThank you for this lovely comment, Grandpalanu! You're in the contest!
DeleteSounds good, but expensive. Looks simple.
ReplyDeleteLet's see... I can get ricotta up here for the price of cottage cheese (lots of good Italian stores.) But marscapone - oh my goodness, that's expensive! At least double the price. Makes Tiramisu a treat, rather than a common thing. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThe recipe sounds easy and tasty. My first thought was of Vicki Delany/Eva Gates
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
And you are in the contest! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI think Lauren Elliott, Vicki Delany/Eva Gates, and Ginger Bolton/Janet Bolin are Canadian. I'm sure there's others I've read, seems like there's more coming out of Canada nowadays, or maybe just because books have gotten so accessible even internationally.
ReplyDeletekozo8989 at hotmail dot com
You're in the contest, Alicia! And yes - I think we're far more internationally available now, compared to 15 year ago, even. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteWelcome! Your recipe looks so good! I also thought of Vicki Delany. We have some wonderful Canadian authors! Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot) com
Yes, Vicki is our Grand Master of cozies! You're in the contest - thanks for commenting!
DeleteWelcome, Melodie! This sounds delicious. Thanks much! I am going to dig back and say Charlotte MacLeod and Mary Jane Maffini come to mind as does Nita Prose. Thanks much for the opportunity to meet Lady Lucy. makennedyinaz at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteMarcia, Yes! MJ is a friend of mine and Vicki's. Thanks for commenting - you're in the contest.
DeleteThese look lovely! Thanks for stopping by the kitchen and sharing the recipe, Melodie.
ReplyDeleteIt's an honour and a pleasure to be here, Molly! Thanks for commenting :)
DeleteSo simple and so tasty sounding.
ReplyDeleteAm I right that you used muffin paper liners in the cups? You don't mention them, but they seem to be in the photos.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Oh heck - did I forget to mention them? Libby, thank you for noticing!! Yes - you don't have to, but I find it nice for presentation. And you're in the draw!
DeleteOne of my favorite authors is from Canada, I think you probably know her. Vicki Delany/Eva Gates. I happen to be reading "Trouble Is Brewing" now.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I sure do! I just finished Shot Through the Book! (We launched our books together at Different Drummer Bookstore, a few weeks ago.) thanks for commenting, and you're in the draw :)
DeleteI thought of Louise Penny, although some may not consider her a cozy author. Ginger Bolton is another one. Thank you for the yummy recipe! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI knew Vicki Delany and Mary Jane Maffini and her daughter right away. Was surprised that Lauren Elliott and Ginger Bolton are Canadian. Guess I didn't read their bios closely. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteCan you use milk instead of cream? I never have that on hand and would hate to buy it for that little amount.
Absolutely! I suspect one could substitute rice flour for regular, as there's so little of it, to make it gluten free. Thanks for commenting, Sally, and you're in the draw!
DeleteOur own Vicki Delaney! Those tarts look delicious. I will definitely try making them. patdupuy@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Pat! Thanks for commenting, and you're in the draw!
DeleteDelectable recipe. I would serve this treat to visitors. Vicki Delaney, Maia Ross, Gail Bowen, Cathy Ace, Judy Penz Sheluk, Barbara Fradkin, Mary Jane, Maffini. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteGreat choices, traveler! You're in the draw!
DeleteHow about adding Gail Bowen and Samara Yew as Canadian authors of cozy mysteries!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
So glad to see Gail's name there! Thanks Nancy - you're in the draw.
DeleteMaureen Jennings comes to mind. Welcome to the group! Your book sounds fun and the tarts look delicious! Thanks for the chance to win! I would love the paper copy, I love to hold a book rather than a device when I read.
ReplyDeleteElaineE246 at msn dot com