Dave's Good Old BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups quality tomato sauce, or ketchup
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (more or less, suityourself)
3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1-teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder (or more, depending on strength)
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 cup Coke
Optional ingredients
2 oz local honey
More diced onions, Vidalia or Texas Sweets
1 cup (or more) finely diced Jalapeno peppers (orwhatever kind you like)
Half cup finely shredded cheddar or provolone cheese
Salt to taste
A few dashes of Frank's Louisiana Hot Sauce, orsimilar not to hot variety like Green Tobasco
Sprinkle of Oregano flakes,
Dash of dried Basil,
Smidgen of Thyme,
Cayenne pepper to your desired heat level.
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan overmedium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until ingredients are completelyincorporated. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer until flavors have meldedand sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 30 to 40minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Ifnot using right away, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Letting it standat least overnight in the fridge helps the flavors meld into one harmoniousflavor, rather than many individual flavors put together
The first part makes a basic barbecue sauce, theoptional ingredients will make it your own. Don't be afraid to experiment. A tablespoon of Hershey's cocoa powderdoes interesting things, so does a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter. You canadd ingredients as spices you might not consider. Want a little more zip butnot heat? Add a smidgen of Dijon mustard, or a touch of horseradish sauce. Iknow, you were always told not to play with your food, but why not? If you'repaying for it, and the one that's gonna eat it, it's all up to you. Only youknow what tastes suit you.
Royal Pain Down Under – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; A Book and A Dish; Think With Your Taste Buds
(This book has an added bonus. The Author is giving you a 1/2 off code for your copy of Royal Pane Down Under through Smashwords. Here is your code HM48Z)
When the cheeseburgers arrive Ash about falls out of her chair. The things are huge, probably bigger than those of the Red Top back home. They’re certainly thicker. No wonder they’re that price.. Ravenous Ash manages to eat only one of them. They taste fantastic. She has the other put in a to-go container. On a whim, Ash has the waitress get the owner to her table, acting as if she has a complaint. When the owner comes to the table, she tells him she won’t pay that for those burgers. Before he can say a word, she hands him the check with a ten thousand dollar pack of bills, “That’s what I’ll pay for these burgers.” The man if flabbergasted, totally speechless. Exactly the effect she wanted to have on him. She and Rodger get up to leave. She tips the waitress a thousand dollars because she can. Outside, Rodger quips, “What do you fancy yourself? Some kind of Robin Hood or something?” Ash smiles, “Something like that, when I get unexpected funds like those t the mill, I like to spread it around to those that deserve it, some of it, anyway. Some folds give to charities, I do a bit of that myself. I also like to help out hard working people that are doing things right.”
Ashling Pane is a woman of many faces and she doesn’t mind exposing them all when the need arises. One of her best friends just happens to be the President of the United States. After she saved his life twice, his career once, and rescuing his daughter from kidnappers, he has declared that she has free run of whatever she might need or think she might need. Nobody dares say different. This friendship has helped her accomplish her tasks in more ways than one. Ash normally works recovering high dollar items for major insurance companies. Her fees are high but her success rate is even higher, since she never gives up. On a case where she recovered a famous violin ‘Lady Blunt’ she also recovered a young Russian immigrant, Roz, that was being and used against her will. After taking her in, Ash discovers the girl’s musical talent affording her any instrument her heart desires to help make up for what she has been through. Money for that job was good but when Ash is asked to go to Australia to free those being enslaved by a man named Aldridge Ainsworth, the offer becomes more than she can afford to turn down. The Queen herself is making the request and offering her over $188,000,000 and that doesn’t count whatever she and her team might find along the way.
As it turns out, Ainsworth has the natives working the mines producing uranium as well as gold and silver. As the mines and compounds are attacked and the slaves freed, Ash and team find themselves collecting what ends up being several billion dollars in gold, gems, art and money hidden within the compounds. Even after making the team members rich beyond their belief, Ash still has more than she can ever begin to spend. Therefore she becomes ‘Robin Hood’ of sorts, taking from the criminals and giving a hand up to the working class.
Royal Pane Down Under wasn’t a disappointment. Ash Pane is still the person that you would love to be friends with while hoping that you never get on her bad side. If she likes you, you will always be in good hands. If she doesn’t like you, don’t step into her path. She is one macho woman who even the most macho men fear. This would make a good character for Angelina.
Showing posts with label Linda Broughton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Linda Broughton. Show all posts
Monday, June 11, 2012
Royal Pane Down Under - David and Linda Broughton, Authors
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
In Memory of Author Linda Broughton
In Loving Memory
In Memory of my sweet Linda
(by David Broughton)
My sweet love, now you're gone forever from this
earth, but never from my heart and soul. It wasn't supposed to be this way, if
I had my way, we'd have taken the final step of this mortal coil together, as
we did most every other step through this earthly life.
Now I'm sad, not for you, for you are now free to
be what I always knew you were, an angel of Love. I'm sad for me, and what I
shall miss. Not just the big things, but simple things like folding sheets together,
working as a team, like we often did in many things. I'll miss my companion, my
best friend, and my lover.
I'm angry, not at you, but at the conductor that
left me off that train to Gloryland with you. I would have been happy to ride
in the caboose. We always traveled together, I wanted it to stay that way even
on that final trip.
Feelings that cannot be named rack my body, as
tears fill my eyes. Thoughts of "what if" cloud my mind. I feel
guilty, what did I do or not do that could have prevented this separation? Was
there anything I could have done? I know this not.
I'm lonely, for you were more than a lover, you
were my companion, confidant and best friend, so I lost not one but four in
one. I shall miss you always, though somehow I hope to find a way to put it in
a pocket to keep for private moments, so that I can do whatever job I was left
behind to complete, for when that's done, I shall be with you again, for we
are, and will forever be soulmates. I loved you with all my heart, the best I knew
how to love. You taught me how to love, and how to receive love in return. Love
is infinite, never ending. Your capacity to Love was unfathomable. No amount of
time or space can put true love asunder. Linda, I really do hope you know how
much you were loved by me, and everyone you met. Farewell my sweet, until we
meet again in the golden sky.
Side note of explanation to the readers: The
"ride in the caboose" refers to a small gift she bought me one
Christmas that had much sentiment attached. It was only a simple plastic
caboose, but the reason she gave it still moves me. We were sitting at a
railroad crossing early that summer, waiting for a train to pass. I happened to
mention that I missed seeing the caboose on the train. She remembered that, and
put a note with the toy caboose, "So your train will always have a
caboose."
The Last Goodbye
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 will forever be acid
etched into my memory as the hardest day I've ever had to face. This was the
day I had to say that last goodbye to my beloved Linda, my wife, companion,
best friend, and lover for nearly thirty years.
According to her wishes, I had to arrange for her
cremation. Not only did she not want to be in the ground someplace, she didn't
want to burden me with the outrageous expense of a fancy funeral, though she
was worthy of a royal send-off. Of course, I couldn't just make the
arrangements over the phone, and not take the opportunity to say goodbye, even
though in my head I know that body is just an empty shell, I could not so much
as imagine letting her go and not saying the things I had to say (they will
remain private.)
After some delay by the coroner's office returning
the body, I needed to be at the funeral home by six in the evening. Near the
funeral parlor is a big grocery, where I stop to buy a single red rose. I gave
her a single red rose when we first dated, and throughout our time together.
This time of year, it's still bright and sunny at that time, allowing me to use
my sunglasses to hide my bloodshot, baggy, tearful eyes from the rest of the
world.
I watch carefully, looking for the funeral home,
just when I think I must have missed it, I see it. I guide the truck into the
lot, park and reluctantly step away from the safe haven my pickup truck
provides. After two or three deep breaths to keep my composure, I walk to the
front entrance. Ron, the man I'd been talking to on the phone, greets me
gently.
There is always the infernal paperwork to get out
of the way, so Ron gives me the choice of doing it first, or after I say
farewell. Knowing that once I've said my farewell, I'll be in no shape to
consider paperwork, I decide we should do that first, I'm also thinking it
gives me a bit more time to ready my mind for what will be the hardest thing
I'll ever do. Ron shows me to a conference room, I'm aware of the table and
chairs, but not much else in the room as he gently guides me through the
paperwork, signing where necessary.
While he files the paper work, Ron sets me up with
an ice cold Coke, and a paper towel, then leaves me alone. At my request, he
takes the wedding band from her hand at my request. I want to put it on a chain
to wear around my neck. Ron gets me the ring, and gives me a just the right
amount of time to face up to what I have to do. Sure I could just walk away now
that the paperwork is done, but the man I am couldn't do it, no way.
I don't have a clue to how long I spent with my
bride, how many tears were shed, or exactly what was said. I wouldn't make it
public if I did. With Ron's help, I took a lock of her hair, for no particular
reason that I can think of, but something inside wouldn't let me not do it. Now
I'm in a more confused state of mind, I want to, to run away, but I also want
to stay, to spend every more moment possible with the remains of my loving
wife. I turned to leave, but instead grabbed another tissue, turned back kissed
her head, and said my final goodbye. Ron shows me out, and at my question
points out the restroom.
After some time in the rest room, splashing cold
water on my face, I get it together enough to go out to my truck. I get in, but
don't start it, I just sit there in a daze. I try to call my friend in Kansas,
she has a way of calming me that nobody else can do. She doesn't answer, so I
put the phone down, shake hands through the window with Ron, minding my manners
as my Linda would have wanted. I drive a few blocks, before the cell phone
rings, I can't answer it, I'm trying to drive, I'm in a daze and all thumbs, I
drop the phone on the floor. I leave it there until I can pull over to talk to
my friend. She takes the time to talk to me for a while, just hearing her voice
is calming, though it doesn't take the pain away, it allows my mind to focus
better.
I had to do some other things, like give most of
my wife's clothes to a thrift store operation where the profits benefit
orphaned or abused children. I know Linda would have wanted that, she insisted
we shop there and help out as much as we could.
The drive home is pretty much a mystery to me,
though I do remember stopping once to take a call from one of Linda's
daughters, by her first marriage. All I can remember of the drive home was the
tunnel vision and going so slow people behind me would honk when they couldn't
pass. Thirty-four miles seemed like a thousand miles in a dark tunnel.
When I get home, I try to eat, but can't get down
much, I try to talk to friends online or by phone, but can't get the one I
really need to speak with, the only one that can calm me. Soon, I take off my
outer clothes, collapse on the bed, my mind and body are exhausted from days of
little or no sleep. Soon, I fall into a sleep more akin to passing out from the
emotional overload. Four hours later, I wake and find myself writing this down.
Why I must, I haven't a clue, self-therapy, I suppose. Oh, by the way, I did
find it odd that we were married on the 13th, and I said my last farewell on
the 13th.
Please, do me a favor if you can, reach out to
help a child, in any way you can. Many times some attention alone will make a
big difference. Read a story, help a children's charity, do but what you can
feel good about, help me honor my Linda in that way.
The Last Goodbye, a poem to my Lost Love
Ninth of April, the very worst day
My angel has gone on her way,
To God I must stand and say,
Why take my love away?
Now it's a forever goodbye, no reprieve.
I must question exactly what I believe.
If I get to meet the Father someday,
I'm certain I'll have a lot to say.
I must say goodbye to an empty shell.
I feel like telling God to go to hell.
To take my love away is wrong.
I don't want to stay here long.
Life without love is not worth a damn
It hurts so much to be alone as I am.
My joy has been stolen in the night.
No way in the universe that's right.
Linda, my love, I hope I join you someday
Maybe then I can tell you all I didn't say.
Until that time, open your wings to fly
closer dear, for the Last Goodbye.
Books by Linda and Dave Broughton
In memory of Linda
In memory of Linda
Pane for the Holidays, Ash Pane novel number four
THREE QUEENS and six bullets TAKES ALL
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Trouble Starts, Pane Follows - David and Linda Broughton, Authors
Burrito Casserole
(A Dave Special)
This recipe can be made many different ways. If you don't have an ingredient on hand, you can leave it out. There's really only one ingredient you can't leave out or change much, that's the refried beans. Here's the usual way:
one pound of ground beef. More or less, but it's good to have some for the flavor, you can leave it out.
two regular size cans of refried beans, whatever kind you like. You can add more beans than that, depending on your family and your taste.
half a large bag of taco chips (or fritos or potato chips, or you can serve it on bread, or with no base at all. Chili Chese Fritos works best, I think.)
one medium onion, diced. (or not)
One medium green pepper, (or not)
One packaged fajita seasoning, (or taco or season it to your tastes with separate seasonings."
One package of "so cheesy" taco seasoning ( or not, as above)
at least eight ounces of your favorite cheese, shredded or diced, or whatever cheese you have on hand, Campbell's Nacho Fiesta cheese sauce works well.
You might also like: Mushrooms, black olives, sliced, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and or sour cream.
In a deep skillet, brown the ground beef, add the seasonings as soon as it's browned off, if the meat is particularly fatty, drain some off, but not all. There's a lot of flavor there. add in the onions and green pepper and mushrooms if you're using them, cook until the onions and green pepper are as soft as you want them.
Add the refried beans, stir everything together and keep heating them up until the beans are hot all the way through. If using chips, crunch them up, and cover the bottom of an appropriately sized casserole dish, bread pan, whatever works. Spoon in the meat and beans mixture. level it out, then put on the cheese. If using canned diced tomatoes, you can put them on now.
When you plate it up, you can add more cheese sprinkled on it, shredded lettuce, a dollop of sour cream, and or the black olives... if you want them and have them on hand. I sometimes use salsa or picante sauce instead of tomatoes, and I might add my favorite hotsauce to my plate full. So long as you don't burn it, you can hardly go wrong with this meal. Yes, it's better some ways than others, but it's doable pretty much any time, if you have the beans.
Trouble Starts, Pane Follows – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds
Ralph is the claims chief for a very large insurance company. The
disembodied voice is trying to be sweet, but it’s not Ralph’s way, it
sounds fake, “Ash pack a bag, I have a dozy of a case for you to work
your magic on. Ash, I really need your help on this one. A
Stradivarius violin has been stolen from a courier company. It had just
been sold at auction for twenty two million bucks. It was stolen on
the way from the authenticator’s to the new owner. The courier company
is putting up an extra million bucks to whoever gets it back to the
rightful owner, no questions asked. I guess they’re worried about their
reputation. I’ll gladly pay your usual
twenty five percent
on top of that should you work your magic again. I authorized the
coverage on the damn thing, my neck is on the chopping block. I’m not
doing this as a favor to you, but to myself. The leads are slim, but
if anyone can find it, you will, I just know it. I’ll fax you what info
there is on this damn case as soon as I hang up. Let me know if I can
help in any way. I’ll do so gladly. Good hunting, oh, you have a month
to find it, so don’t let it spoil your weekend. Later.”
This
was the message Ashling (Ash) Pane heard emanating from her voice mail
recorder. Ash ended up taking early retirement from the FBI after being
shot with an armor piercing bullet that went right through her vest.
While an agent she gathered the goodwill of many rich and powerful
people, including the President of the United
States. Trouble was, she
had also earned a reputation for herself of not going by the rules.
That's what got her retired, truth be told. Now she does recovery work
for high end insurance claims. Her reputation precedes her, ’Ash Pane
goes by her own set of rules!’
Following the trail takes Ash to Toronto
where she meets Paul Roman, who is world known as an authenticator of
musical instruments. At the time of Ash’s visit to Paul has, two
guitars locked in his safe that once belonged to David Seymour. David
overdosed on the flight back from Russia
after doing a tour. For some strange reason, the guitars been shipped
to Paul to authenticate. This wasn’t to be, due to a group of Russians
busting in to take possession of one of the guitars by force. As it
turns out, their unwanted visitors are from the Russian Mob and the
leader of the group is
none other than Anatoli Ivanovich, one of the most wanted men in the
world. He’s noted for stealing priceless art, jewels,
gold and anything else of extreme value. He also has a $20,000,000.00
price on his head. Ash wants his valuable head, more for trying to kill
her than the reward, the reward offered will see that he stays alive...
maybe.
When
I first started reading Trouble Starts, Pane Follows, I saw Ash as an
overly macho female character, but the more I read, the more I have to
say I liked her, macho and all. She is a man’s woman and she is a
woman’s woman. She isn’t afraid of anyone or anything making her the
envy of a lot of women. She loves her toys which includes anything that
makes a bang which makes her the envy of a lot of men. When someone
crosses her, she doesn’t get mad, she literally gets even plus. Heaven
help you if you’re a man coming after Ash or one of her friends for you
just might lose your family jewels. And if
you come at her with a gun, you might find it stuck where the sun
doesn’t shine. However, when Ash loves, she loves deep as with
her new found ward Roz, a musical prodigy. Her main love interest in
this episode, Paul, is quite the opposite, it's almost as if the typical
male and female roles are reversed. I'm sure that was the idea, and
once it gets rolling, it works well.
Macho
or not, I really enjoyed Ash in this book and am waiting for the next
one to come out. You can bet I’ll be one of the first to get my copy.
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