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KILLER GREEN TOMATOES by Lynn Cahoon is the second book in the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series and is a worthy addition to a delightful series. Protagonist Angie Turner owns the County Seat restaurant with her best friend, Felicia, in the small town of River Vista, Idaho. Angie’s life centers on preparing delicious food and treating her employees like family. In fact, there is a very strong theme of family that is woven into both the plot and the subplots of the book, from her employees, to her elderly neighbors, to her adorable pets. You can’t help but love her giant St. Bernard puppy, Dom! I also greatly enjoyed the descriptions of food and cooking and how it connects families and friends together. Ms. Cahoon also provides an emotional connection between Angie and her deceased grandmother by involving recipes passed down. I loved her idea of creating a cookbook from those handwritten, food stained treasured papers!

With characters you can love and relate to, the story also contains a well-written mystery. When Angie’s sous-chef’s cousin is accused of murder and then disappears, Estebe begs her to find him and clear his name. The author weaves in bits and pieces about the Basque culture and the festival organized by Estebe’s family. There were plenty of suspects and a strong plot that kept the pace flowing and the conclusion wrapped up the threads of the subplots nicely. I look forward to reading more books in this series!

Angie creates so many delicious farm-fresh recipes for her restaurant and works on perfecting her grandmother’s recipe for fried green tomatoes. Ms. Cahoon includes a recipe for Viola’s Fried Zucchini at the back of the book instead of fried green tomatoes because according to her, “We didn’t do Fried Green Tomatoes. Tomatoes were for canning to be used later for chilis, stews, and spaghetti sauces. Mom cooked a different summer treat, Fried Zucchini.” Deliciously crispy, these delectable rounds of fried squash are a great way to use up some of summer’s bounty! 

Amazon Synopsis

The time seems ripe for success as Angie Turner opens her farm-to-table restaurant in her Idaho hometown-until her new tomato supplier is accused of murder and Angie has to pick the real killer…

To Angie, nothing tastes more like summer than her Nona’s fried green tomatoes. Eager to add the recipe to the menu at the County Seat, she’s found the perfect produce supplier-her sous chef Estebe’s cousin, Javier. Just one problem: ladies’ man Javier’s current hot tomato, Heather, has turned up dead, and he’s the prime suspect. Somehow, between managing her restaurant and navigating a romantic triangle between Estebe and Ian, the owner/manager of the farmer’s market, Angie needs to produce evidence to clear Javier-before this green tomato farmer gets fried . . .

A special thanks to Lynn Cahoon for providing a winner with an e-book copy of KILLER GREEN TOMATOES! Contest ends Monday, July 9, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)  

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Viola's Fried Zucchini

Note from author Lynn Cahoon: Mom cooked a different summer treat, Fried Zucchini. Breaded and battered, the crispy treat made my mouth water, and even now I don't have much luck getting the appetizer on the table before the slices are stolen from the paper towel where they sit waiting to be plated.

Ingredients

• 1 large zucchini*
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• Seasoning to taste: whatever you like, such as garlic salt, pepper, Season-all
• Flour, seasoned as you wish
• Panko breading that's been seasoned. Optional but not needed.
• Vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Wash the zucchini then slice into fairly thin rounds.

2. Beat the eggs with the water and season to taste and place in a flat bowl or container. 

3. Make a breading station with eggs in one container, the seasoned flour in another, and if using the panko breading in a third container.

4. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet. (Mom used Crisco or lard, depending on what she had. I like the cleaner taste of vegetable oil.)

5. Dip zucchini in flour, egg mixture, then flour again (or in panko breading if using).

6. Place each slice carefully in the hot oil. You only need to cook these a few seconds on each side. The thinner the rounds, the faster the zucchini inside will cook. Get a nice brown crunch on the outside, take them out, and lay on a paper towel. Season with sea salt (my addition) while hot, and then serve.

7. Repeat with the rest of the slices.

8. Enjoy! Fair warning: This is not a diet food.

Notes

1. *Zucchini are typically too small in the grocery store. Look for ones about 12-inches long and 3-inches around. But get them fresh, before the seeds harden. 
   

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BURIED IN BOOKS, the twelfth book in the Bibliophile Mystery series by Kate Carlisle is one that fans have long been waiting for: protagonist Brooklyn Wainwright is getting ready to marry heart-throb Derek Stone. I love how the author has developed their relationship over the series and while this is a mystery and not a romance, it echoes what most readers want: real life with a happy ending… well, except for the dead bodies that Brooklyn seems to find. Her own mother calls her a murder magnet and Brooklyn’s future mother-in-law is starting to agree. While I adore Brooklyn and Derek as characters, Brooklyn’s mother, Becky, and Derek’s mother, Meg, steal each scene they are in. They add zany humor to the story that kept me laughing out loud, yet beneath that is unconditional love and support for their offspring which I find refreshing. In fact, both Brooklyn’s family and Derek’s family are close-knit and seem to get along well together with the impending wedding. I enjoy that Ms. Carlisle focuses the dysfunction on the murderer and not on family.

Amongst the backdrop of wedding plans and a workshop on rare book restoration that Brooklyn is presenting at the National Librarians Association Conference, the murder of one of her old college friends takes place. The theme of betrayal and trust plays throughout the story which I found poignant with Brooklyn’s wedding right around the corner. It also touches on regret of losing friends over the course of years and the joys of reconnecting. There were plenty of suspicious characters introduced and I didn’t want to put the book down until I found out the culprit at the suspense reveal. I also couldn’t wait to find out if Brooklyn was going to get her dream wedding! Ms. Carlisle provides a page-turning story that will thrill her many fans and gain her new ones!

Brooklyn isn’t much of a cook and one of these days hopes to try to conquer some simple recipes. Ms. Carlisle has complied with Brooklyn’s wishes and adds several easy-to-make recipes at the back of the book. I was drawn to the Stuffed Mushroom Caps which uses only four simple ingredients and are a snap to put together. They look elegant and are a delicious appetizer for any type of party! They pair amazingly well with a nicely chilled bottle of champagne and I’ll be making these again and again for family celebrations. 

Amazon Synopsis

In the latest in this New York Times bestselling series, matrimony and murder collide as San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright walks down the aisle…

Brooklyn has it all covered. She’s triple-checked her wedding to-do list, and everything is on track for the upcoming ceremony with the love of her life, security expert Derek Stone. 

Not everyone has been as lucky in love as Brooklyn. Her old college roommates Heather and Sara lost touch twelve years ago when Sara stole Heather’s boyfriend. Brooklyn was caught in the middle and hasn’t seen her former besties since their falling-out. When they both show up at her surprise bridal shower, Brooklyn is sure drama will ensue. But she’s touched when the women seem willing to sort out their differences and gift her rare copies of The Three Musketeers and The Red Fairy Book. 

Brooklyn’s prewedding calm is shattered when one of her formerly feuding friends is found murdered and Brooklyn determines that one of the rare books is a forgery. She can’t help but wonder if the victim played a part in this fraud, or if she was targeted because she discovered the scam. With a killer and con artist on the loose, Brooklyn and Derek—with the unsolicited help of their meddling mothers—must catch the culprit before their big day turns into a big mess.

A special thanks to Kate Carlisle for providing one winner with a Buried in Books gift box filled with chocolates! Contest is limited to U.S. residents only and ends Monday, July 2, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)  

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Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Ingredients

• 8 ounces mushrooms, stems removed
• 5 ounces Boursin garlic and fine herbs cheese
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (F).

2. Discard the mushroom stems. Stuff each mushroom cap with cheese.

3. Mix together bread crumbs and  melted butter, then sprinkle over the mushroom caps.

4. Roast until brown, 20 - 25 minutes.

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When I was offered the chance to read an advance copy of DEADFALL, the 19th book in the Alexandra Cooper series by Linda Fairstein, I jumped at the chance. A longtime fan, I’ve looked forward to each and every release and this newest book didn’t disappoint. Ms. Fairstein takes the reader to a variety of New York area landmarks in each book and DEADFALL focuses on the zoos, specifically the Bronx Zoological Park. I truly enjoy each location and the bits and pieces of history and facts that are woven into the plot. With the zoo and its conservation efforts towards saving endangered species as the backdrop, the protagonist, Alexander (Alex) Cooper sets out to clear her name in the assassination of her boss, District Attorney Paul Battaglia, and bring the perpetrator to justice. I appreciated the attention brought to a variety of endangered species and reminds us of our responsibilities towards preserving these magnificent creatures, both great and small.

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The reader is treated to a variety of settings in this new story, including a Montana wild game hunting ranch, as Alex pieces together conspiracies that touch on the mystery surrounding the death of Supreme Court Justice Scalia. There is a tangled web of intrigue that involve a secretive fraternity of wealthy, influential men who belong to private hunting reserves. Ms. Fairstein skillfully weaves the threads of the story together, building the pieces of evidence together to entice the reader and draw them in until you can’t put the book down. The thrilling conclusion left me breathless and turning pages late into the night to read the final page.

Being a suspense thriller book, DEADFALL does not contain recipes. However, the protagonist and her friends have to eat. I was happy to see that Alex is recovering from her kidnapping ordeal and her appetite is coming back in this new book, so she frequents a few restaurants for a bite to eat now and then during the story. At one of the restaurants she enjoys some Zucchini Strips so I decided to create a recipe… especially since zucchini is almost too plentiful this time of the year for those who are lucky enough to have summer gardens! I tried several different methods for cooking the Zucchini Strips: baking and frying; salting the zucchini before cooking and skipping that step; regular flour and panko bread crumbs and gluten-free versions. It’s a good thing I love zucchini! My takeaway? Pre-salting added a better flavor while frying produced the best overall crispness. Baking the zucchini strips turned out better than I expected and if I make these often I would go that route for health reasons. And I was very happy with the gluten-free version. Bottom line? I think I found a new favorite way to use up some of summer’s bountiful zucchini crop!   

Amazon Synopsis

A wild heart beats within New York City. Amid concrete and skyscrapers, the Wildlife Conservation Society works to preserve and protect the animal kingdom both within and beyond the borders of the five boroughs. But dangerous creatures don’t always have claws and fangs, as Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper and NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace know all too well. Predators lurk close to home, and in the aftermath of the shocking assassination of an iconic public figure—someone Alex has worked with for years—the trio must unravel the motive behind the shooting to discover who is the bigger snake: the killer or the victim.
 
The murder investigation provides more questions than answers, as a tangled mess of secrets slowly comes to light. From street gangs to secret societies, from big-game hunting to the illegal animal trade, from New York City zoos to the highest offices in city government, Alex has her work cut out for her—especially since the task force handling the investigation, led by the US Attorney, seems to be more against her than with her. As tensions rise between Alex and the feds, she must determine just how far she is willing to go to uncover the truth—and uphold the integrity of the office she has so proudly served.

Thanks to Dutton Publishing, I am able to offer a hardcover copy of DEADFALL for one lucky winner! Contest ends Monday, August 14, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

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Crispy Zucchini Strips

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 lbs zucchini (about 4)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1-1/2 cups panko crumbs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Instructions

1. Trim the ends from the zucchini, cut them in half crosswise, then cut each piece into lengthwise wedges about 1/2-inch thick.

2. Toss the zucchini strips with kosher salt then lay them in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Cover with a layer of additional paper towels. Let rest for 30 minutes then blot excess moisture from the zucchini. 

3. Mix the flour, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and pepper in a large plastic bag. Place a handful of zucchini strips in bag and shake to cover them with the flour mixture. Place flour-coated zucchini on a plate and repeat with the remaining strips.

4. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a shallow dish. Set aside. 

5. Combine the panko crumbs and grated cheese in a shallow dish. 

6. Using one hand, dip a zucchini strip in the egg mixture, coating on all sides.

7. Next, place the dipped zucchini strip into the panko-cheese mixture. Using your opposite (clean hand) toss the crumb mixture over the zucchini strip and gently press to adhere. 

8. Transfer the panko crumb-coated zucchini to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining strips. 

9. Once all the strips are coated, pour vegetable oil into a skillet, 1/4-inch deep. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees (F). A panko crumb dropped into the hot oil should immediately sizzle and start to brown.

10. Very carefully place several zucchini strips into the hot oil and fry until the coating turns golden brown. Flip fries over as needed to brown all sides. Once fries are golden brown, remove to a wire rack while you cook the remaining fries. 

11. Serve immediately with marinara sauce and/or ranch dressing. 

To bake the Zucchini Fries:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Heavily spray 2 baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. 

3. Coat the zucchini strips as indicated in the above directions and place on the sprayed baking sheets. 

4. Spritz the tops of the zucchini with non-stick cooking spray. 

5. Bake until the zucchini is tender, about 12 to 14 minutes, rotating the pans half way through the baking time. Be careful to not overcook; you don't want them mushy. 

6. If the coating hasn't browned enough, remove pans from oven and turn the broiler on. 

7. Broil one pan at a time, flipping zucchini fries as necessary until coating is golden brown. Keep a very close watch as they broil since the coating can burn quickly. 

8. Transfer hot zucchini fries to a plate and enjoy! 

Tips

1. If you want to make these gluten-free, substitute cornstarch for the all-purpose flour and use gluten-free panko-style bread crumbs or crushed Rice Chex cereal. 

2. If you don't want to go through the extra steps of salting the zucchini then skip that step and add 3/4 teaspoon sea salt to the flour mixture. I found that salting the zucchini allowed excess moisture to release which resulted in more flavorful fries that are tender without overcooking. 

3. You can reheat the zucchini strips by either re-frying in a skillet with a bit of added oil or placing on baking sheet and reheating in a 450 degree oven for a few minutes. I successfully reheated using my toaster oven and toasting for 6 - 7 minutes, flipping the strips over once. 

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Rare books, impending nuptials, murder, and even more terrifying for Brooklyn, meeting her future in-laws for the first time come together in a delightful tale! ONCE UPON A SPINE by Kate Carlisle, the eleventh book in the Bibliophile Mystery series, captivated me from the very beginning. I love Brooklyn’s relationship with her parents, who are probably some of my favorite characters: a mom who is a hippy, new-age Wiccan and a dad who is a vintner. The fact that her fiancé, Derek, loves them too adds to the appeal. Derek won’t say how he thinks his upper-class British parents will react to meeting Brooklyn’s family, so Brooklyn is doubly worried. When they do meet, the fun starts. No spoilers here but in Brooklyn’s words, “Oh dear God!” and I was laughing out loud. 

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Brooklyn and Derek live in a small community within the large city of San Francisco and the author paints a vivid picture of how we sometimes see people in our own neighborhoods. People we may see quite frequently yet remain strangers can lead to remorse as it did for Brooklyn when one of her neighbors was murdered. Getting to actually know the people around us is what forms a close-knit community and creates friendships. Brooklyn, with the help of Derek, decides to solve the case and try to bring unity back to their neighborhood. The more Brooklyn asks questions the more puzzling the murder becomes. ONCE UPON A SPINE has a twisty, topsy-turvey plot and ending that is worthy of Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland!  

Brooklyn and Derek are good hosts to the parents visiting them and there is lots of delicious foods mentioned and enjoyed throughout the book. Fortunately for the reader, Kate has included several appetizer recipes that the families enjoyed one evening. They all sound delectable but to add to the fun book, each recipe has a very humorous title or play on words. I chose to make the Cheesy Balls because, I’ll admit it, I’m a cheese-a-holic. Add some bacon and pecans to the mix and oh my goodness… it was hard to limit myself. These are very easy to mix up and I liked that they could be made ahead of time. Perfect for entertaining…or making for yourself and enjoying with a glass…or two of California wine!

Amazon Synopsis

In this Bibliophile Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Books of a Feather, San Francisco bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright stumbles through the looking glass in a tale of murder, rare books, and a quest for the perfect pie…

Brooklyn’s oh-so-proper future in-laws are traveling from England to meet her, and if that’s not enough to set her on edge, rumors abound that the charming Courtyard shops across the street may be replaced by high-rise apartments. Their trendy neighborhood will be ruined unless Brooklyn and her fiancé, Derek Stone, can persuade the shopkeepers not to sell. 

But with a rare edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland causing bad blood at the Brothers Bookshop and a string of petty vandalism making everyone nervous, Brooklyn and Derek feel like they’re attempting six impossible things before breakfast. Then the owner of the Rabbit Hole juice bar is felled by his own heavy shelves, and the local cobbler lies dead beside him. An accident . . . or something more sinister? Things get curiouser and curiouser when a second priceless copy of Alice is discovered. Will it stir up more trouble within the close-knit community?  

As the Brits descend, Brooklyn learns they’re not so stuffy after all. Derek’s dad is won over with chocolate cream pie, and his psychic mum would kill to help Brooklyn solve this murder—before another victim takes a tumble.

A huge thank you to Kate Carlisle for providing a hardcover copy for one lucky winner! Contest ends Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

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A warm tropical location, colorful characters, and a plot that keeps you turning pages sums up Catherine Bruns’ brand new release, DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA. The sixth book in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series, which is written by different authors, DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA is Catherine’s first contribution to the series and the first I’ve read…and I’m hooked!

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I so enjoyed the protagonist, Carrie Jorgenson. She’s had a very difficult life and has moved from Vermont to Hawaii to escape it, thinking once she’s reunited with her surfer boyfriend, life will be perfect…except it’s not. Carrie starts the story out as a weak personality, wanting to please everyone else without regard to her own well being but discovering the murder victim provides the catalyst for her personal growth.  Not only does the author portray Carrie becoming a stronger person but she also provides more humorous moments. I got several laughs over her desire to become a professional singer when in reality her voice can end a karaoke party pretty quick. And then there’s Tad, a quirky character, full of life and encouragement, and I’m hoping that he will fill the role of future sidekick. The story starts out with a quick pace that continues throughout the entire book. There are many, many people who wanted the Big Kahuna dead and the author kept me guessing the entire time, right up to the suspenseful finale! 

Catherine includes several recipes at the back of the book, including Poncho’s Pineapple Salsa, which she has graciously allowed me to share. Poncho is the chef at Loco Moco Café where Carrie works and where the Big Kahuna meets his demise. Terrific as an appetizer served alongside tortilla chips or served over grilled fish or chicken, this dish will transport you to tropical paradise! I’ve been to Hawaii numerous times and one of the must-have dishes is Pulled-Pork sandwiches. Catherine includes a recipe for Pulled Pork in her book and my husband is dying for me to make it. Made in a slow-cooker, it will be the perfect accompaniment for Super Bowl parties along with Poncho’s Pineapple Salsa! 

Amazon Synopsis

From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns, comes an Aloha Lagoon Mystery that proves sometimes paradise isn’t all it’s served up to be.

New to both Hawaii and the Aloha Lagoon Resort, Carrie Jorgenson has big dreams of stardom. But while she awaits fame and fortune, she’s forced to accept a job waitressing at the resort’s The Loco Moco Café. It isn’t long before she discovers the dish on her new boss—also known to many as “The Big Kahuna.” Hale Akamu is rich, handsome, repulsive…and dead. When Carrie discovers Hale’s lifeless body, she’s suddenly forced into yet another role—amateur sleuth. With everyone from Carrie to the saucy chef to the café’s hot assistant manager under suspicion, Carrie needs to track a killer before she becomes his next main entrée!

Be sure to grab a copy DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA while it’s on sale for $0.99! This special release price ends soon. 

A huge thank you to Catherine Bruns for providing winner’s choice of either a print copy or an e-book copy of DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA for one lucky winner! Print limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Monday, January 30, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

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