Kiss of Life - Brian L. Porter, Author
2:56 PM Posted by MAC
Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Peas, Mint & Shallot Sauce
A Dexter and Brian Favorite
2 tbsp olive oil
4 x 3 cutlet mini French trimmed racks of lamb
100g fine fresh breadcrumbs
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp freshly chopped basil
1dsp freshly chopped rosemary
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 heaped tsp good quality Dijon mustard (1 per rack)
50g melted butter
2 tbsp olive oil
For the sauce:
50g butter
100g shallots, peeled and diced
350g frozen peas
100ml good vegetable stock
2 tbsp freshly chopped mint
1 good tbsp double cream
Place one tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan and heat. Seal the racks of lamb on all sides. Remove from the heat and place in a roasting tray. Mix the breadcrumbs and chopped herbs together with a little sea salt and black pepper. Spread each rack with 1 tsp of mustard and press plenty of the breadcrumb mix onto each rack. Melt the butter and the remaining olive oil and drizzle over the herb crusted meat. Place in a pre-heated oven, 180ºC/Gas mark 5, for 12-15 minutes. Turn the heat down to 160ºC/ Gas mark 3 and cook for further 5-6 minutes. Allow to rest for approximately 5 minutes and serve with the pea puree.
For the sauce, melt the butter in a frying pan and add the shallots. Fry for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat then add the frozen peas and coat in the butter and shallot mixture. Add the vegetable stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes, remove from the heat and add the freshly chopped mint and the double cream. Place into a bowl and blend until chunky. Return to the pan and boil rapidly for a further minute reducing any excess liquid.
To serve, arrange a bed of sauce on four plates and top with the racks of lamb.
Kiss of Life – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
The Dream - ‘As he drew nearer she’d smile at him; that alluring, evocative, sensuous smile that invited all manner of thoughts to enter his mind and at the same time cause all logic and reason to depart from his soul. Her lips, deeply red and luscious in their invitation drew him toward her, the heaving of her more than ample bosom drawing his eyes as he came to within a few meters of the stunningly gorgeous creature that beckoned him even closer. She took a pace in his direction, the thin material of her dress parting to reveal the long, shapely and perfectly formed legs that held the promise of so much more… Christina’s lips parted to reveal her pure pristinely white teeth, two of which had already grown unusually and abnormally long. Those teeth now appeared to take on a life of their own as they grew in length before his eyes, no longer teeth, but brilliantly pointed fangs….’
Alan Dexter is a journalist who met Christina Radaluc, another journalist, about a year ago while investigating the “Vampire Murders” that appeared to be taking place in the mountainous region of Transylvania. After solving this “bloody” mystery, he had not seen nor heard from her since. That is until the dream started.
Dexter doesn’t believe in telepathy but with the intensity of the dream, he senses that Christina is in some kind of danger. After calling the news agency where Christina worked, Dexter was told that she had been missing for two months. So Dexter decides that a trip to the Carpathian Mountains to find Christina was in order. He also decided to solicit the aide of another journalist and good friend Karen Bailey. Together the two set out on a journey that will take them into areas they wouldn’t want to experience even in their dreams.
I’ve now read everything published by Brian L. Porter and I’m always amazed at his imagination and ability to hold the reader’s attention, no matter what the subject might be. Kiss of Life is a sequel to Dracula Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and what a sequel it turned out to be. This one has an ending that I never saw coming, even in my dreams.
Mythica Publishing
2009
92 Pages
ISBN # 978-1-907108-08-2
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, Brian L Porter, Kiss of Life, Martha A Cheves, Mystery, Stir, vampires
Stop Me - Richard Jay Parker, Author
4:20 PM Posted by MAC
CHICKEN AND MUSSEL PANCAKE PIE
A Richard Jay Parker original recipe
Three Chicken Breasts
3 Cups Mussels (shells off)
1 Cup Cubed, Smoked Bacon
1 Leek
Five Tablespoons Flour
2 Eggs
Small Pot Of Single Cream
½ Cup Chopped, Fresh Parsley
3 Cup Butter
4 Cups Milk
Grated cheese of your choice.
Salt/Pepper
Nutmeg
In mixing bowl add three tablespoons of flour, make a well and crack in eggs. Whisk eggs into flour and add milk until pancake mixture is liquid paste. Add chopped parsley and salt/pepper. Melt a little butter in pan and make three parsley pancakes.
Cut chicken breasts into same size as mussels. Melt a little butter in pan, add leeks and smoked bacon and fry until brown. Take pan off the heat.
In saucepan melt a little butter and gradually add two tablespoons of flour stirring vigorously until you have a paste, add remaining milk to make white sauce. Add grate of nutmeg. Once you have white sauce add the cream, the chicken and mussels and the cooked ingredients from the pan. Allow to simmer gently.
In a circular oven dish lay one of the pancakes in the bottom, spoon on half of mixture, add another pancake, spoon on rest of mixture, place final pancake on top and top with cheese. Cook on medium heat in oven for 30 mins.
Stop Me – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
On Monday, November 12th, 2007, Leo Sharpe received an email.
Howdy doody.
On vacation in the uk
Slim, attractive brunette with capped teeth
Forward this email to ten friends
Each of those friends must forward it to ten friends
Maybe one of those friends of friends of friends will be one of my friends
If this email ends up in my inbox within a week I wont slit the bitchs throat
Can you afford not to send this on to ten friends?
Vk
Apparently messages like this had made the rounds of the US, Germany and now the UK. After being passed on by some and deleted by others, the results always seemed to be the same in that it apparently never makes its round back to the original sender. And to prove that he is as good as his word, a portion of each victim’s jaw is sent to the police.
Leo received his message through his office computer. He was getting ready to meet his wife Laura to do some Christmas shopping so instead of forwarding it on to 10 friends he called the company’s IT. They handled it by simply deleting the message.
Leo met Laura at their special place, Chevalier’s Bar. Shortly after arriving, Laura told Leo she needed to go to the ladies room. She left and that was the last Leo saw of his wife. Then came his own email informing him that the Vacation Killer had Laura and would slit her throat unless he received his email back in his own inbox within a week. A week went by and unlike the other VK victims, no jaw bone was sent to the police. Leo could only hope that the email had made it back to the killer’s inbox giving him hope that she was still alive and could be found.
Leo’s search for his wife takes him to the United States where he meets with two men who both claim to be the Vacation Killer. But that can’t be possible since neither had been to the UK. And since Laura wasn’t the only victim in the UK area, it has to be someone else.
Leo’s chase had me turning the pages to see who and what would lead him to the next possibility. I had my own list of suspects and as each was marked off my list I found myself running out of killers. Finding out who the real Vacation Killer turned out to be was a total surprise for me. I think it will be for you too.
2009
Allison & Busby
ISBN# 978-0-7490-0713-3
328 pages
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, chicken recipes, cookbooks, internet, Martha A Cheves, Murder, Mystery, Richard Jay Parker, Stir, Stop Me
And Murder for Dessert - Kathleen Delaney, Author
2:58 PM Posted by MAC
Kathleen's Recipe for Creole Beans
1 pound dried large Lima Beans
6 cups of water
1/2 # bacon, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 green peper, diced
1 T flour
2 tea seasoned salt
1/2 tea sea salt
1/4 tea pepper
2 tea Worchesterhire
2 T brown sugar
2 1/2 cups (one 1-pound, 3 ounce can) tomatoes fresh, died
Cover washed beans with water, bring to boil and boil for 2 minutes. Cover and let stand 1 hour; then cook until tender. Drain. DO NOT soak in cold water over night. All the skins will peel off.
Cook bacon until crisp in large skillet. Remove. Cook onion and green pepper in fat in skillet until tender. Blend in founr, seasonings, and sugar. Add tomatoes and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add beans and fold in with bacon. Beans can be made ahead and reheated and are good the next day as well. Serve 6-8
Cook bacon until crisp in large skillet. Remove. Cook onion and green pepper in fat in skillet until tender. Blend in founr, seasonings, and sugar. Add tomatoes and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add beans and fold in with bacon. Beans can be made ahead and reheated and are good the next day as well. Serve 6-8
And Murder for Dessert – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
Ellen’s plans for her day sound relaxing. ‘I had decided that Tuesday morning was mine. Mark, who hadn’t been fired, was at the winery. So was Sabrina, who hadn’t been arrested, and they had Paris with them. Jake and I were going to clean house. Monday, I had taken two listings, written one offer, and then spent the evening alone with Jake, sitting on the front porch. I wondered what had happened at Lighthouse Winery that had Mark and Sabrina so upset, why Frank had sold his restaurant, why Otto had let Jolene stay at his place for free, and why she wanted to. Mostly I wondered what Dan was doing.’
Ellen McKenzie is a recently divorced, moved back to the old home and town, real estate agent who has been informed by her sister that her niece Sabrina and her husband Mark would be staying with her until they found their own place. Mark is a wine master who left his last job under mysterious circumstances that he nor Sabrina want to discuss. Dan is the significant other in Ellen’s life that wants to become her next husband. He’s also the Chief of Police. Frank is Mark’s dad who is a temperamental chef that sold his own restaurant for reasons he doesn’t want to divulge. And then there’s Otto who is another temperamental chef that has been hired to create a dinner at the winery with the dishes being complimented by the wines. But, Otto’s temperament ends up in disaster for Otto as well as others who are connected to the winery.
In And Murder for Dessert, author Kathleen Delaney created characters that are so realistic. There’s Aunt Mary that you want to find yourself wishing you had an aunt like. There’s Jake the cat that you want to cuddle with. Otto who you would like to throw something at before he throws something at you. Jolene the reporter who you want to slap just for the heck of slapping her. And Carlton who you want so desperately to get caught in one of his own schemes.
So who will die and who will commit the murder? The suspects are many and the clues are few. I can say, I was and I wasn’t surprised at who the murder turned out to be but. The ending could have gone several ways. And Murder for Dessert was a very enjoyable book to read.
2007
Poisoned Pen Press
241 pages
ISBN# 978-1-59058-423-1
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: And Murder for Dessert, Book Reviews, Kathleen Delaney, Martha A Cheves, Murder, Mystery, Stir, suspense, wine
Healer's Fate - Beth Caudill, Author
3:09 PM Posted by MAC
Corliss's Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
Wet
¾ cup Brown Sugar
¼ cup Honey
2 oz Applesauce
1 mashed Banana
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons Water
Dry
1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups Oats
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped Dried Cherries (optional
Directions
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix together brown sugar, honey, applesauce, and water. Add the mashed banana and vanilla. Set aside. Shift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Incorporate this mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir in oats and cherries. If mixture is too thin, let stand a few minutes for the oats to absorb the excess liquid. Drop by large teaspoons onto cookie sheet.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in 350 degree oven. Pull from oven and let stand a minute or two (no longer or they may stick to pan.) Transfer to cooling rack.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Mix together brown sugar, honey, applesauce, and water. Add the mashed banana and vanilla. Set aside. Shift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Incorporate this mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir in oats and cherries. If mixture is too thin, let stand a few minutes for the oats to absorb the excess liquid. Drop by large teaspoons onto cookie sheet.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in 350 degree oven. Pull from oven and let stand a minute or two (no longer or they may stick to pan.) Transfer to cooling rack.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Healer’s Fate – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘Liam couldn’t watch the ceremony that would mate Corliss to someone else. He could’ve challenged for her, but that meant fighting his father – the ruling wolf, who was neither a tyrant nor senile. Both of them in their prime, a fight would have ended in one of their deaths, and he couldn’t justify the loss of life.
Not even for her. Unable to keep control of his world, Liam let the animal free to seek solace in the forest. Except every tree, every scent roused memories of her, and the wolf circled back towards the clearing, towards the woman who should be his.’
Liam and Corliss, as well as the others in the pack, are “shifters” which means they have the ability to shift from human form to wolf form and back. Corliss has been promised as a mate for Raymond but has secretly given her heart to Liam. So when Raymond doesn’t appear at the mating ceremony, Corliss finds herself embarrassed by being left at the “ceremony” but also relieved, that is until Liam steps in to save the day.
Healer's Fate is a touching love story that brings together two beautiful souls bonding them into one, as it should be among all humans. But it also picks up the animal aspect of life. My reading of Healer’s Fate brought me closer to the understanding of pack animals. It answered my question of "What and who is the alphas and how is that rank acquired within the pack?" Through the writing of Beth Caudill and the characters of Liam and Corliss, I felt as if I was an insider watching pack rituals being performed and explained.
This book isn’t for children due to some of the explicit scenes and language but it’s a beautiful book for adult who enjoy reading an enticing love story now and then.
This book isn’t for children due to some of the explicit scenes and language but it’s a beautiful book for adult who enjoy reading an enticing love story now and then.
2009
Whispers Publishing
ASIN B002R9YYF4
100 pages
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Beth Caudill, Book Reviews, Healer's Fate, Martha A Cheves, Stir Laugh Repeat, wolf packs
Cookin' Up A Cure - To Benefit Relay For Life
2:28 PM Posted by MAC
Cookin’ Up A Cure
Last week a friend brought me a copy of a cookbook his daughter, along with a group of friends put together to benefit “Relay For Life.” I thumbed through the book and found some really delicious sounding dishes, then I went to the front of the book to see what “Relay For Life” was all about. Here is their story.
“Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.”
Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people to:
*Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.
*Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.
*Fight Back. They Relay because they have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.
Flowers Baking Company of Lynchburg, LLC., has been involved with Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society for many years. They do yearly golf tournaments, car washes, cook outs, raffles, dress down day at work and even hold a bowling extravaganza, using these unique ways to raise as much money as possible to find a cure for cancer.
Cancer knows no boundaries. It knows no limits. It does not care if you are a mom, daughter, son, husband, wife, grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend or child. It does not care how old you are or how successful you are or how may hopes and dreams you may have. It does not care if you are black or white, what religion you are, if you are single or married, or who you voted for as president. Cancer can show up at any time or anywhere. It can be you or someone you love. It can be someone you work with, your next door neighbor, or your child’s schoolmate.
Relay for Life started with one man, Dr. Gordy Klatt, in May of 1985. ONE MAN started this world wide phenomenon. He ran around one track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington for more than 83 miles. Dr. Klatt’s efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer in 24 hours. He went on to start the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer. From there, Relay For Life took off, celebrating its 25th year of HOPE in 2009.
So, this is just a small part of what Relay For Life is all about. Flowers Baking Company of Lynchburg, LLC., has been involved with Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society for many years. They do yearly golf tournaments, car washes, cook outs, raffles, dress down day at work and even hold a bowling extravaganza, using these unique ways to raise as much money as possible to find a cure for cancer. And now they have created a wonderful cookbook called Cookin’ Up A Cure. As I went through this great little cookbook, I found dishes that I can’t wait to try and to “play with” giving them changes to make them my own. This is a book well worth having with the profits going to a cause that need all of the help it can be given.
If you would like to have your own copy of Cookin’ Up A Cure and help support a wonderful group of people fighting to find a cure, contact danna_jones@flocorp.com You never know when you or someone you love may benefit from the efforts of these caring people.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: American Cancer Society, Cancer, cookbook reviews, cookbooks, Cookin Up A Cure, Martha A Cheves, Relay For Life, Stir Laugh Repeat
Pestilence - Brian L. Porter, Author
4:06 PM Posted by MAC
Beef Stroganoff - A Brian L. Porter favorite
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into thin bite-size strips
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (4 oz)
1/4 cup beef flavored broth
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 cup chive-and-onion sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Hot cooked noodles, if desired
In 8-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips; sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned. Add mushrooms; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in broth, chili sauce and thyme. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are blended. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in sour cream until well blended. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve over hot cooked noodles.
Pestilence - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘It took Hilary less than five minutes to drive the half mile to her home. During those minutes she reflected on the state of her latest patient. That David Bradley was ill she was in no doubt about. That it was influenza she was reasonably sure about, though she had a terrible feeling that she might be witnessing the manifestation of a new strain of the killer bug. Influenza had been responsible for millions of deaths throughout the history of mankind and the “flu virus had developed an uncanny means of mutating from time to time, developing new and more powerful biological weapons in its global war against the human race. Hilary knew that if this was indeed a new strain that had found its way to Olney, then she would need help from outside.’
This was Doctor Hilary Newton’s diagnosis after attending her first patient as the new resident doctor in Olney St. Mary. And much to her distress, her fears were increased when a second patient turns up with the same symptoms. Hilary decides it’s time to send both patients to the nearest hospital for further evaluation.
The patients were sent to Ashford General Hospital where Doctor Paul Trent, a specialist in respiratory diseases, would examine them and hopefully find something to relieve their stress as well as prevent others from becoming infected with what appeared to be a new strain of the ‘flu. But fears increase for both doctors when one patient dies on his way to the hospital.
After his examination of the surviving patient, Doctor Trent has an idea as to what they are dealing with. This theory is confirmed by the department head Doctor Malcolm Davidson. The village of Olney St. Mary has just become involved in a very serious epidemic of the “plague.”
Brian L. Porter has again brought to light the possibilities of an incident that could occur and may have already occurred without the general population knowing. How far will a government go to keep something this serious contained? How far will they go to keep it quiet? And what will they do if it turns out that the original source may have come from within the government itself? Pestilence is another eye-opener that will really make you start wondering about these questions and the possible answers.
Double Dragon Press
2010
ISBN 978-1-55404-723-9
267 pages
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: beef stroganoff, bio warfare, Book Reviews, Brian L Porter, Germany, Martha A Cheves, Pestilence, Stir Laugh Repeat, suspense
Laughed 'Till He Died - Carolyn Hart - RELEASES 4/6/10!!!
8:18 AM Posted by MAC
| Key Line Pie - A Carolyn Hart Dish |
16 ounces water
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
8 ounces whipped topping
If using 6 to 8 limes instead of lime juice, put water in blender or food processor, set processor on puree, and with processor running drop lime slices in, one at a time. Key limes are very tough - do not drop in too many at one time. Drop in 8 to 10 slices, maybe more if you have a really powerful blender or processor. Process completely, then pour through strainer into another container. Make sure to press out all of the juice, discard lime remains then pour the lime juice back into blender. Again, drop in lime slices, repeating the above process until you have processed all of the limes. Set aside 1 cup of the resulting lime juice.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Blend key lime juice with the sweetened condensed milk. Add the sour cream. In a separate container, beat the eggs, then add to the key lime mixture and beat for 1 minute. Pour mixture into the graham cracker crust. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool pie completely, about 1 hour. Top with whipped topping and put in freezer. Freeze at least 3 hours. Serve straight from freezer. Cutting the pie is made easier by wetting a knife in hot water before slicing.
Laughed ‘Til He Died – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat Jean’s harsh sobs brought Max’s secretary, whose heart was as big as her beehive hairdo, to his office door. Summer-bright in a yellow tunic and white caprice, Barb looked at him questioningly. As awkward as most men in the face of feminine meltdown, Max cleared his throat. “How about some iced tea, Jean? Hey, Barb, bring us some of your special fruit tea and good lemon pie.” Jean using a handkerchief provided by Max, wiped her face, leaving purplish smudges atop puffy redness. She looked shyly at Barb when she returned. Barb placed a try with two big tumblers and two plates on the desk. “Goji berries and guava, my own private blend. Guaranteed to refresh. And lemon pie made this morning.” Jean Hughes had just stepped into Max Darling’s office at the Confidential Commissions. Jean, who is the director of a youth recreation center called the Haven, came to seek Max’s help. One of the directors was in the process of acquiring enough votes to have her dismissed and she didn’t want to go down without a fight. Since Max’s specialty is in solving problems, he takes her on as a client. Annie Darling, Max’s wife, owns a mystery bookstore called Death on Demand. At first, she’s not comfortable with Max taking Jean as a client. But that changed with the death of a young member from the Haven and the death of one of the Haven’s directors with Jean being the police’s number one suspect. I’ve read both of Carolyn Hart’s Bailey Ruth books and loved them. I’m patiently waiting for her to write a 3rd. This is the first of her Death on Demand books that I’ve had a chance to read and I have to say I love it too. Carolyn Hart holds you in suspense until the end. She gives no clues throughout the book allowing you to guess at who the killer really is. In fact, she actually had me believing that the killer just might be Jean Hughes. Did Carolyn Hart lead me on a wild goose chase throughout the whole book? I’ll never tell. Read Laughed ‘Til He Died and find out for yourself. Harper Collins Publishers April, 2010 ISBN 978-0-06-145309-0 282 Pages | ||
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, Carolyn Hart, key lime pie, Laughed Til He Died, Martha A Cheves, Stir Laugh Repeat
A Bloody Good Cruise - Diana Rubino, Autor
1:08 PM Posted by MAC
Grandma's Meatballs - Another Diana Rubino Recipe
2-2 1/4 chopped meat
1 cup bread crumbs..maybe less, you'll 'feel' and know
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated pecorino romano...again, more or less
Paprika, chopped parsley, basil, garlic powder, onion powder
You may want to increase or decrease ingredients...you'll see when you eat it.
Put all ingredients into bowl and mix thoroughly w/clean hands. If mixture feels too moist, add more bread crumbs.
Shape into small balls...larger than Swedish, smaller than baseballs.
Put olive oil into fry pan, covering bottom, maybe 1/4 inch. Put one piece of garlic and 2-3 pieces of onion, saute until onion is transparent. You may discard if you wish. At this point place meatballs in and gently turn as they cook so they don't burn or lose their shape.
When they're golden brown, sprinkle wine vinegar--careful, it spits.
Continue to cook until meatballs are nice & brown. Then add to 'ragu.'
2-2 1/4 chopped meat
1 cup bread crumbs..maybe less, you'll 'feel' and know
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated pecorino romano...again, more or less
Paprika, chopped parsley, basil, garlic powder, onion powder
You may want to increase or decrease ingredients...you'll see when you eat it.
Put all ingredients into bowl and mix thoroughly w/clean hands. If mixture feels too moist, add more bread crumbs.
Shape into small balls...larger than Swedish, smaller than baseballs.
Put olive oil into fry pan, covering bottom, maybe 1/4 inch. Put one piece of garlic and 2-3 pieces of onion, saute until onion is transparent. You may discard if you wish. At this point place meatballs in and gently turn as they cook so they don't burn or lose their shape.
When they're golden brown, sprinkle wine vinegar--careful, it spits.
Continue to cook until meatballs are nice & brown. Then add to 'ragu.'
A Bloody Good Cruise – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘Mona knew Quintus was planning on popping the question to Tessie on this cruise. She was thrilled for her friend, but felt a tinge of envy. She could be entering eternal bliss with Fausto if she wasn’t so skittish about…certain things. Tessie had her cigarillo case half fished out of her purse, but a blast of wind changed her mind. “We’re very lucky, Mona. Eligible bachelors aren’t easy to come by in our age group. I mean, I never dreamed I’d get to snag a gorgeous Italian wine connoisseur who models men’s’ undies on the side. Both of them are real renaissance men.” “Oh yeah, you can call them that, all right.” What Mona needed to divulge to her friend in the next few hours, especially before the question pop, was that Fausto and Quintus weren’t human. And neither were any of their gorgeous Italian wine connoisseur pals. They all shared a common gene.’
In A Bloody Good Cruise, Author Diana Rubino takes us on a cruise ship filled with writers. Mona, their hostess and planner uses the cruise as a way to bring writers together as well as promote her own books. Ok, she does have another motive and that is to be close to the love of her life, Fausto Silvius, who is the cruise ship’s doctor and yes he is a vampire. But there is danger in paradise. That danger comes in the form of those who are known as the “Vampire Ball Busters.” They believe all vampires are bad and are devoted to eradicating them. But what happens when one of the Ball Busters ends up being “turned?” I’ll not tell. You’ll have to read the book to find out.
Diana Rubino has done it again. She has taken a topic that most view as horror, turned it into humor and written another book. Oh yeah, she has thrown in some really heated sex along the way. I have to admit, I did enjoyed reading A Bloody Good Cruise, humor, sex and all.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: A Bloody Good Cruise, Book Reviews, cookbook reviews, Diana Rubino, Martha A Cheves, meatballs, Stir Laugh Repeat
"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!