The brand new release, GRILLING THE SUBJECT, the fifth book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber, is the perfect summer-themed book and I am so happy to have the chance to help Daryl celebrate on her release day!
Synopsis
Crystal Cove is hosting a Wild West Extravaganza and Jenna Hart, owner of The Cookbook Nook, is caught up in the theme. Her shop is promoting all sorts of barbecue related cookbooks while her friend Katie, chef at The Nook Cafe, is creating a variety of barbecue goodies to share with their patrons. Jenna’s life seems to be perfect: her shop is successful, her relationship with Rhett is progressing, and she’s surrounded by a loving father and aunt along with wonderful friends.
But why is Jenna feeling like she’s being watched? Why is she feeling so jumpy? When one of her father’s neighbor’s Sylvia Gump, is found murdered, Jenna’s life starts a downward spiral. Her gentle father, Cary, had a very verbal argument with Sylvia and was overheard threatening her. Now he’s the main suspect in the murder and Jenna feels like she must clear his name. Only he doesn’t want her help and distances himself from her. Undeterred, Jenna starts asking questions around town anyway and finds there were many reasons many people would have wanted Sylvia dead. A “ghost” from Jenna’s past shows up and her relationship with Rhett is put to the ultimate test. Can she unravel the tangled murder suspects and clear her father’s name while resolving her own issues of the heart? Or will she lasso up a sticky mess that will result in losing everything she holds dear, including her own life?
My Review
I always enjoy a visit to Crystal Cove and especially a visit to The Cookbook Nook. However, GRILLING THE SUBJECT is probably my favorite in the series! I loved the theme of the Wild West Extravaganza and how the author wove western themed activities, cookbooks, and food into the story. The town, and especially The Cookbook Nook, is charming and invites the reader to visit and linger.
But it’s more than just a charming setting, GRILLING THE SUBJECT is about family connection and loyalty. When Jenna’s past comes calling she has choices to make. She learns to grow and accept support by those she holds dear, even when she fears the worst. While this book can be read as a standalone, it answers questions that have been woven throughout the four previous books. Answers I’ve been wanting to know and Daryl supplies them in a worthy manner.
And then there’s the food which makes this a mouthwatering book! So many delicious recipes are included along with so many references to dishes and cookbooks…I want to try them all. I plan on checking out some of the amazing cookbook titles mentioned by Daryl too, and add to my own cookbook collection. Thanks to Daryl for allowing me to share her Barbecue Muffins recipe with you. Fluffy homemade biscuit dough is pressed into muffin cups then stuffed full of tangy barbecue-sauce laced beef and topped with flavorful cheddar cheese. A fun hand-held dish that is perfect as an appetizer or a main dish. I made the Barbecue Muffins in both a regular-sized muffin tin and made a few mini-muffin sized ones to snack on. I especially loved the ease of making the biscuit dough, which is very similar to the refrigerated biscuit dough you can purchase (and yes, you can use that dough too). I will be making these biscuits for other dishes I prepare as well…definitely a keeper!
A very special thank you to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing an autographed copy of GRILLING THE SUBJECT! (U.S. residents only.) Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Barbecue Muffins
From Katie: These aren’t really muffins. They’re biscuits stuffed with goodness, but because they’re baked in muffin pans, and that kind of cooking is all the rage, I decided to call them muffins. They are hearty enough for a meal. Enjoy! By the way, you can go the simple route and use Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits in the can, or you can make the biscuits from scratch. I have included a gluten-free substitution as well.
Makes 10 muffins
Ingredients
Muffins
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or substitute 2-1/2 cups gluten-free flour mixed with 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum)
1-1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Filling
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup (4 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
Muffins (or use Pillsbury refrigerated biscuit dough)
In a pastry blender, mix the flour (or gluten-free substitution), baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt.
Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like the size of peas.
Now add the milk and cider vinegar. The mixture will quickly form a dough.
Remove the dough and divide into 10 equal portions.
Set out a piece of parchment paper and, using a rolling pin, flatten each dough portion into a 5-inch circle. Note: I like to fold the parchment over the dough so it won’t stick to the rolling pin.
OR: roll the dough out and cut with round cookie cutters. Extra large cutters for regular muffin tins and medium-small for mini-muffins.
(If you are using Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits, pull them apart into 10 portions.)
Press each portion into a greased muffin cup, pressing down on the bottom and up the sides to form a “cup” and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (F).
Filling
In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is no longer pink, stirring it and breaking it up into little chunks as it cooks.
When done, drain and pat with paper towels to remove the excess fat.
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and chili powder.
Add the mixture to the cooked beef and mix well.
Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, divide the mixture among the dough-lined muffin cups.
Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons shredded cheese.
Bake for 13 to 18 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese lightly browned.
From Katie, a postscript:
By the way, I made a major mistake when I first created the biscuit portion of this recipe. I incorrectly made the milk mixture 1-3/4 cups. Oops! Well, guess what? The mixture started to really rise, and since i don’t like to throw things away, I spooned the dough into popover cups just to see how they would turn out, filling the cups halfway. Ta-da! Perfect “popover” biscuits! I baked them at 400 degrees (F) for 15 minutes. They cam out incredibly flaky. Yield: 6 to 10 biscuits.
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I was provided a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love barbecue ribs! These are one of the dishes that I almost never prepare at home since it’s so time consuming and never quite as good as what I can get at a good barbecue restaurant.
Kim, I’ve got a great BBQ ribs recipe with no fuss, no muss. And never fail. It’s a dry rub. ~ Daryl
(Here’s a link to it on my Mystery Lovers Kitchen post.) http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/2010/07/long-quiche-goodbye-debuts-july-6.html
Thanks, Daryl! I’ll be checking your recipe out!!!
My favorite BBQ food is burnt ends! I did take a class on making them, but it’s easier to go to the restaurants that make them the best: Burnt Ends; Smoking Guns; Q39; Big T’s; or Joe’s Kansas City BBQ. The muffins sound great! And I can’t wait to read the book!
Becky, my husband loved burnt ends. Those restaurant names are fabulous! ~ Daryl
Muffin meals are done often here. Really helps with portion control. And since my sweetie came home with 4 lbs of nice lean ground beef last night, we have all the ingredients on hand. so we will be trying this out for lunch today. am always looking for more muffin tin meals. Got a kick out of the “Oops. Muffin popovers.” That will go well with the Denver Omelet we will be having for breakfast.
For a barbecue fool? My fav is bbq chicken. We all love bbq boneless ribs. When it is just the two of us I buy Tony Roma’s barbecued boneless ribs. Really like those.
Love the cover on the book. Appreciate the chance to get it. And thank you for the recipe’s.
Della, I have to admit, Tony Roma’s ribs are some of the best ever! Glad you like the cover of the book. I adore my artist. ~ Daryl
These look delicious. I need to start cooking more.
Carol, I find cooking very relaxing. It seems to take me “away” from everything else. ~ Daryl
My favorite bbq item would have to be bbq chicken and corn on the cob. Thank you for this opportunity to win you book.
Yvonne, I’m coming to your BBQ. I love chicken with corn on the cob. Yum! ~ Daryl
I like to eat veggies that have been grilled. I don’t eat meat.
Carol, I grilled zucchini last night. I made thick, thick slices, brushed them with olive oil and a dash of salt, and they turned out great! ~ Daryl
Favorite barbecue food? Steak! with a nice char, but add a grilled ear of corn, grilled asparagus, and grilled peaches with ice cream! Oh, dear, now I have to go to the store and clean the grill!
Kathleen, I’m coming to your house, too. Another of my favorite BBQ meals. Can you tell I love barbecue??!! I’ve never grilled peaches. Do you use oil to keep them from sticking? ~ Daryl
Thanks for the chance!
I love to BBQ wings on the grill. I love the recipe but can you substitute something for the beef if you are making for vegetarians?
You can absolutely substitute for meat! Personally I would use small chunks of portobello mushrooms, sauteed until browned, before mixing with the barbecue sauce. I would also add some pinto beans for a heartier version if I were serving as a meal instead of an appetizer.
Kim, I love the idea of mushrooms or beans. Lentils would probably work, as well. Must try! ~ Daryl
Thanks, those are great ideas!
You could also use the frozen vegetarian crumbles they sell in the freezer case.
This sounds delicious and easy. I might try it with ground lamb (a favorite at my house).
I particularly like BBQ that some one else has made! I visited my daughter in Woodlands, Texas (outside Houston) and we went to Corkscrew Barbecue. Great fun.
Elizabeth, I love the names of these BBQ places. What fun! Ground lamb would be delicious in this recipe. I enjoy a good lamb burger every now and again. ~ Daryl
I love grilled vegetables and a well done burger with homemade potato salad.
Deana, I grilled zucchini last night. It was delicious! With a burger and potato salad sounds like heaven. ~ Daryl
Oh these muffins sound amazing!!! I’ve made a simpler version before with pillsbury biscuits, browning hamburger and adding bbq sauce, put them in the muffin tins and bake. Heavenly!!! And everyone loves them! So excited for this book release! Thanks for the chance to win too!
Amanda, that sounds like an easy recipe! Thank you for sharing it. ~ Daryl
Easier to ask what is not my favorite bbq food. I love the good ole hot dog, and ribs, and chicken, and corn on the cob, and potato salad (has to be my mom in law’s), and I can go on and on…oops, I just did, LOL. Thank you for the recipe, I will have to give it a try, it definitely sounds like one that hubby will love. Thanks again!
Debbie, what a nice tribute to your MIL. Must be a good potato salad! ~ Daryl
I favorite Barbecue is chicken. And ribs is second. And thanks for the chance to get an autographed copy of Grilling The Subject.
Cathy, I’m so glad you stopped in. Doesn’t Kim do a fabulous job on her blog? ~ Daryl
These look so good and would be so fun for dinner with the kids. One of my favorite grilled foods is grilled corn. Can’t beat it when it’s fresh in the summer. Thanks for the chance to win.
Holden, these are perfect for kids. Perfect size, perfect flavors. Enjoy! ~Daryl
My favorite BBQ is ribs.
Becky, you are not alone! 🙂 ~ Daryl
My favorite barbecue food is a perfectly grilled hamburger (there’s so much you can do with a hamburger, especially on the grill!)! Thanks for the review, and the recipe…..these barbecue themed recipes are perfect for summer! I love the series, and look forward to the next installment! Nicole 🙂
Anything that my husband will barbecue for us is our favorite! We will definitely be making these muffins, they sound delicious!
Kathy, how wonderful to have a hubby that barbecues. Enjoy! ~Daryl
I like chopped pork BBQ on a bun with slaw!
Connie, you are not alone. I know tons of people who love that sandwich. ~ Daryl
My favorite BBQ item is a rib eye steak followed by BBQ ribs. I also like grilled veggies, especially asparagus. The BBQ muffins look amazing, I will have to give them a try.
Dianne, a rib eye steak with asparagus sounds perfect for tonight. Hmm. Must get to store ~ Daryl
My son next door does all the BBQ after his sweet wife cuts up meat and vegies and sticks on skewers. Never know what she’ll decide but it always seems to work.
My favorite Barbecue food is pork and lots of vinegar slaw with baked beans and potato salad. Yum…yum…and tea…now I have made myself hungry. Thank you for the review and giveaway. The recipes are wonderful…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Marilyn, sounds delicious! ~ Daryl
My favorite barbecue is my husbands ribs. They are delicious. He won a family barbecue contest with them. Everyone loves them.
You like your husbands ribs? Julie, I’m blushing. LOL Okay, enough frivolity. What’s his secret recipe? ~ Daryl
I love barbecue chicken or hamburgers. great review, thanks for the recipe, this book sounds very good I’m looking forward to reading it.
Penney
Thanks, Penney! I hope you enjoy the story! ~ Daryl
I love ribs.
Me, too, Elaine! ~ Daryl
I like most BBQ, especially pork and brisket. I’d like to spend one of these hot afternoons in the cool air conditioning reading this book! Thanks for a chance to win!
Donna, my husband was a huge fan of brisket. I have to admit, I make a mean one. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I love putting banana halves sprinkled with cinnamon sugar on the grill. When they are cooked we put them in a bowl and top with a brownie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
ribs….yummy!!! along with potato salad and baked beans.
I love pork BBQ! One of the best places I’ve ever had BBQ at is Bodacious Pig BBQ, right outside of Boise, ID. For a chain restaurant, Mission BBQ is pretty darn good. Thanks for the recipe and the contest!