Uncle Si's Secret - M. M. Gornell, Author
3:24 PM Posted by MAC
Luvenia's Corn Casserole
Favorite recipe of M. M. Gornell
This recipe is mentioned in "Uncle Si's Secret," but the ingredients aren't provided in the book. It's perfect for potlucks, is easy to make, and can be enhanced with hot or sweet peppers.
1 box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (8.5oz.)
1 med. sized (14 - 15 oz.) can of cream style corn
1 med. sized (14 - 15 oz.) can of whole kernel corn
1 stick melted butter
1 cup sour cream
1 egg
2 Tbl. honey (or more depending on taste)
Chopped hot or sweet peppers of choice (optional)
Combine all ingredients just until mixed. Don't beat or over mix. Stir in any optional ingredients. Pour into large greased (I use a butter-spray product like PAM) casserole dish. Bake in a 375 degree oven for approx. 35-40 minutes. Time will vary depending on oven, altitude, and how deep the casserole or pan selected. Center needs to be cooked. Sometimes surface will crack and casserole will puff up, then sink. Let cool.
Serve by spooning out. Should be soft and moist - somewhere between traditional cornbread and mush - but cooked through, and have a slight sweet taste. With the addition of hot peppers, this dish has a definite southwest flare, and goes well with many Mexican entrees.
Uncle Si's Secret - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
Creating Cedar Valley Residence was a dream come true for Belinda Jones and her brother Bernard. They had spent five years making sure each room and suite was perfectly decorated to create a feeling of comfort and welcome. Now it was time to add a new addition, which would create space for more residents and allow Belinda and Bernard to start turning a profit in the near future.
Cedar Valley residents were a hodgepodge of ages and personalities that had all become family to Belinda and Bernard. One special resident was Miss Shirley, who had appeared a year before with a bewildered look on her face, broken glasses perched on her nose, no identification and a pile of cash in her purse. Even after putting ads in the newspaper, talking to the police and tacking fliers on telephone poles, no one knew who she was nor where she had come from. The doctors assured Belinda that Miss Shirley had temporary amnesia and that she would probably come out of it at some point in time. So when Miss Shirley asked for a meeting with Belinda to inform her that her money had run out and she would be moving, Belinda was rightfully concerned. Miss Shirley also told Belinda that she was missing her favorite Chinese print scarf, which Belinda felt had probably been misplaced and would turn up later. But as more residents informed Belinda that they too have missing items, her concern started to grows. Does she really know her residents? Could one of them be a thief? She had to get to the bottom of this thief mystery before it really started hurting business.
Belinda had always thought she would enjoy becoming a detective and had actually helped solve a few minor crimes in the past. So to add to her task of catching the person responsible for items missing from Cedar Valley, she's approached by Olive Norris. Mrs. Norris comes in hope that Belinda will find enough evidence to free her son Kirby who was arrested for the murder of his wife. The case against Kirby appeared to be an open and shut case. Items of clothing and the gun used to kill Lana Norris were found in Kirby's car. After meeting with Kirby and hearing his story, Belinda believes in his innocence and decides to take the case. But after another murder is committed, plus an attempt on the life of someone dear to Kirby, Belinda begins to wonder if she has taken on more than she can handle and can she solve this case before anyone else has to die.
Uncle Si's Secret is full of secrets. M. M. Gornell kept me guessing throughout the whole book. Every time I thought I knew the identity of the thief and the murder, Gornell would surprise me with a new twist proving my theory to be wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Uncle Si's Secret and I think you will too. I will give you a small clue. The thief will really surprise you. It sure did me.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, M. M. Gornell, Martha A Cheves, Stir Laugh Repeat, Uncle Si's Secret
"This book is made up of 3 individual stories. All three are short reads and other than the setting, which is Mexico, all three are completely different."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"You'll follow Logan as she tramples through kudzu, goes to her first Testicle Festival, rents a room from a woman who runs around at night in the nude and connects with a wolf. You will also follow her as she gets her man, or should I say men."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Will the people of Hollow Gap pull together and defend themselves from the Indian up-rise or will they fall apart. Find the answers to these questions and more when you read this book of taming the West through love."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I would NEVER have guessed the turn of events that make up the last 20 pages of Fresh Frozen. The hiring of the spy will surprise you and the murder will surprise you even more. So if you love a good mystery, this book is definitely for you."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"As I read I felt as if I was a witness watching this evil man do the things he did to these young women. As I read through the trial I felt like one of those ready to convict him. As I listened to the comments by his wife, I could feel her pain and confusion."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"After reading Breaking My Silence I saw Jane as a strong person who was determined to do whatever was needed to get her children back into her life and to do whatever it took to make her life as complete as possible without the prostitution. This was one of the most informative books I've ever read about a subject that is normally kept behind closed doors."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"
While reading Genesis Beach I found myself not wanting to put it down. Each page had a piece of evidence that would help me solve the mystery before Logan. I really thought I had pin-pointed the murderer. Boy was I in for a shock."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I've enjoyed reading this book. It's a cross between a "fiction" and a "true crime." So if you enjoy either genre you will enjoy A Study in Red. Do keep in mind that this book is very descriptive."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"The story captured me from the beginning, the evil of Rovella never ceased to amaze me, and the love that was always there but didn't surface due to guilt made me feel the pain that I'm sure she felt. The ending was perfect."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"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 A. Cheves)
"I feel this is a wonderfully written book that would be helpful not just for young people who are overweight but also for those who look at a person, no matter the age, call them names, shun them and refuse to accept them as they are."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Bertha Speaks Out is a very enjoyable book to read. Bertha finds herself in positions that will make you laugh and cry. You will feel her pain but also feel her pride when she stands up for what is right. It’s a must read for children as well as adults.
"
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Read Thicker than Water and ask yourself these questions. Did the wife make the right choice? Was her decision worth 15 years of her family’s life? Would you have made the same decision?
I highly recommend Thicker than Water. As I said, it was a joy to read."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"As I read I kept asking myself “Who would put out a hit on David and why?” “Who are The Chosen Few and what do they have to do with David?” “Will Max get to David before it’s too late?” You will have to read The Chosen Few yourself to find the answers to these questions."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"This book has taught me that life is like a chain. Everyone we meet becomes a link in our chain. Some links may be weak, but the strong ones keep the chain from breaking. And as memories and secrets are shared with those strong links, they become even stronger."
(Martha A. Cheves)
I'm from Georgia, moved to North Carolina by way of Florida. I've been in Charlotte for 14 years and love it. The recipes in my book Stir, Laugh, Repeat are all tested by "Food Testers" of which I now have 24. They try a dish and rate it from 1-10 with only those scoring at least an 8 making the book. My website is a holding place for my 2nd book Stir, Laugh, Repeat... Again. Please visit my site to find new recipes and tips. All recipes are easy, using common ingredients and according to my testers, great!
August 14, 2009 7:59 AM
Hi, I just want to tell you how compelling I think your blog is. I voted for it in the Book Blogger Appreciation Week in the category Best General Book Review Blog. Best wishes.
August 15, 2009 9:48 AM
Do you post reviews of non-mystery cookbooks? I m a member of Sisters in Crime and Agent Quest, but am a published author in several other fields had have just published Cooking My Way Through Life with Kids and Books--if you're interested, please write me at judy@judyalter.com, and I'll have the publisher send a book. Many thanks.
August 16, 2009 8:07 AM
Thanks for the review and the recipe. I had the pleasure of meeting M.M. at the Public Safety Writers Conference in June; she's a lovely woman and I'm so happy for her (she won an award for Uncle Si's Secret).
August 19, 2009 3:02 PM
It's been a pleasure working with Martha, and I'm very honored she reviewed my novel. I agree, it's a wonderful site!