A Real Basket Case - Beth Groundwater, Author

2:28 AM Posted by MAC


Tarragon-Raspberry Flank Steak with Caramelized Onions, Kale and Mango Salsa

Flank steak
Dried tarragon
Low-fat raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing
1 ripe mango
16 oz jar of chipotle salsa
2 medium white onions
1 large bunch fresh kale
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Salt
Pepper

Sprinkle both sides of flank steak with ½ tsp tarragon and marinate 1-4 hours in 2/3 cup raspberry vinaigrette, turning hourly. Peel and dice mango, mix with salsa and 1 tsp tarragon and set aside. Peel onions, slice in half, then slice halves into 1/4 inch slices. Wash kale and tear into large bite-sized pieces.

Grill flank steak 5-7 minutes per side until medium-rare. While steak is grilling, heat oil over medium heat in large nonstick skillet. Add onions and stir-fry until golden, about 8-10 minutes. Add kale and 1/2 tsp tarragon, salt and pepper to taste. Mix with onions, cover and lower heat to medium-low. Let steam for about 5 minutes until kale is soft.

Let flank steak rest while the kale finishes cooking and you mound onions and kale to one side on each of 6 plates. Slice flank steak thinly on the diagonal and fan 4 slices on each plate, with the mound of kale forming the apex of the fan. Spoon a trail of salsa across the tips of the fans. Serve immediately with any leftover salsa on the table. Serves 6.

A Real Basket Case - Review by Martha A. Cheves

In reading this book I came up with something I really want to share. Some of the things I really hate to see in a book and is overkill in descriptions of the characters. Some writers go all the way to describing the lipstick that the character is wearing at the moment. I also hate to see the full description of the room that the character/characters are in at the moment. To me these are words I simply skip over. To me it feels like the author is trying to extend the length of the book. WELL, Beth Groundwater doesn't do this. I'm reading every word of her book and enjoying it very much. And the characters are REAL. As you meet them, you begin to feel as if they are people you really know.

Beth Groundwater kept me wondering who the real killer would turn out to be. Usually I have the bad guy figured out about halfway through a book. Not with this one. "A Real Basket Case" didn't reveal the killer until the last few pages. And I can't believe who it ended up being. This has been a really enjoyable book.

I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Beth, don't change your way of writing! I've really enjoyed reading Basket Case and will be reading more of Beth's books.

Martha

6 comments:

  1. Lisa Logan said...

    WOW, this sounds delicious--and I don't just mean the steak! (And I'm vegetarian.)

    Thanks for posting this. What a wonderful idea for a blog. I'll surely be back!

  2. L.J. Sellers said...

    The meal sounds great. And I'm so glad Beth is getting great reviews. I am also a lean writer/reader, who gets by just fine with a few vivid details.

  3. Beth Groundwater said...

    Thanks, Lisa and L.J., for your feedback on the recipe. Like you both, I'm a fan of lean eating AND lean writing.

    Here are a couple of other review snippets for A Real Basket Case:

    “This will appeal to Desperate Housewives fans and those who like cozies with a bit of spice.”
    -- Barbara Bibel, Booklist Review, February 1, 2007

    “Drugs and jealousy add up to a Rocky Mountain murder. A tense, exciting debut.”
    -- Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2007

    To read the full text of these reviews and others, go to: http://bethgroundwater.com/Reviews_Basket_Case.html

    I was thrilled and honored with the reception that A Real Basket Case got from reviewers, and that it was nominated for the 2007 Best First Novel Agatha Award. I'm crossing my fingers now and hoping that the sequel, To Hell in a Handbasket, to be released in May, will get as good a reception from readers.

  4. FraniFashionista said...

    I have reserved this book in the library and I can't wait to read it. I will post my review when I finish reading it but not before letting Beth read it. This sounds like my kind of book and I am looking forward to the sequel. Fran Lewis

  5. Beth Groundwater said...

    Thanks, Fran, for picking up my book to read! I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it. You can contact me directly at my website, http://bethgroundwater.com/ .
    - Beth

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