Category Archives: Karen’s Killer Fixin’s

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Southwestern Bean Chili

January 25, 2013 Karen Docter 2 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me. I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy. It might be a main course recipe. A cookie or baked item. Candy. Salads. Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is SOUTHWESTERN BEAN CHILI!!

It’s winter and I tend to think of chili a LOT when I’m feeling chilled. Nothing is more satisfying, and warming, than a bowl of chili. The problem is when I think of chili when it’s close to dinner time. I don’t have time to prepare the long-cooking version, and I certainly don’t want to wait until the next night to eat what I’m craving NOW. This chili recipe is quick, delicious and easy to change up the flavor with just a few additional ingredients.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 75 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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SOUTHWESTERN BEAN CHILI [Serves 4]

2 medium onions, minced

1 medium garlic clove, minced

1 can (7 oz.) tomatoes, drained & chopped coarse

1/3 cup canned green chilis, drained & chopped coarse

1 T. chili powder

2 tsp. dried oregano

½ T. ground cumin

2 cans (16 oz. each) red kidney beans, undrained

Bring ¼ cup water to boil in large skillet. Add onions, garlic; cover and simmer about 2 minutes. Stir in next five (5) ingredients; bring to boil and simmer about 10 minutes. Add beans; simmer until heated through about 3 minutes.

* Serve sprinkled with your favorite shredded/grated cheese and hot bread. Yummy!

** Add cooked ground beef if you prefer your chili with beans AND meat. If you like a little oomph, add cooked chorizo or sausage.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Triple Author Special with Cynthia Woolf

January 18, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with CYNTHIA WOOLF

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors.

Introducing author, CYNTHIA WOOLF, and her favorite recipe for MONSTER COOKIES!

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About the author, Cynthia Woolf….

Cynthia Woolf was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends.

Their closest neighbor was one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006.

Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time.

She worked her way through college and went to work full time straight after graduation and there was little time to write. Then in 1990 she and two friends started a round robin writing a story about pirates. She found that she missed the writing and kept on with other stories. In 1992 she joined Colorado Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. Unfortunately, the loss of her job demanded she not renew her memberships and her writing stagnated for many years.

In 2001, she saw an ad in the paper for a writers conference being put on by CRW and decided she’d attend. One of her favorite authors, Catherine Coulter, was the keynote speaker. Cynthia was lucky enough to have a seat at Ms. Coulter’s table at the luncheon and after talking with her, decided she needed to get back to her writing. She rejoined both CRW and RWA that day and hasn’t looked back.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she’s made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.

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BOOK PEEK – THE SWORDS OF GREGARA – JENALA by Cynthia Woolf

Jenala Delasa is alone and in trouble. Someone wants her kalcion mine. They’ll stop at nothing, even murder. Jenala needs help.

Santro Baltin is just what the beautiful red-head needs. He’s huge, a master swordsman, and has a heart big enough to give her the room she needs to heal. When it comes to Jenala’s enemy however, he has his own agenda.

To defeat the notorious Zlaten Vandalar, they have to work together, mind to mind, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart.

EXCERPT – THE SWORDS OF GREGARA – JENALA by Cynthia Woolf

Swords clashed. Jenala Delasa fought savagely for her life against the man who would dare try to get her kalcion mine. And claim her. The bastard Zlaten Vandalar. The man she believed murdered her father six months ago. He attacked her with the intention of kidnapping and raping her, giving her no choice but to be claimed under the law. She’d fall on her own sword before she’d allow him to claim her. No, he attacked her in the narrow alleyway with every intention of kidnapping and raping her.

A passerby, having heard the gray metal swords clanging off of each other, sparks flying, and her shouts of rage, rushed to watch the spectacle. Jenala dared him a quick glance when he yelled and ran toward them. Momentarily startled, she missed her jab. Zlaten sidestepped, turned and flayed open her back from the left shoulder to the bottom of her ribcage on the right side. Jenala fell to the ground. Zlaten looked up at the stranger approaching and visibly paled. He sneered at her as he ran a finger through her blood that dripped from the tip of his sword. “You’re not fit now. I’ll come when you’re healed then you’ll be mine.” He looked up at the stranger getting closer, turned and ran.

The stranger came to her, her sword still tightly gripped in her right hand. She dropped to her knees, never releasing her sword. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth from where she’d bitten her tongue. She looked up with pain bleary eyes, expecting to see reproach or perhaps opportunity. If this man decided to claim her as Zlaten had, she could not fight him off. Instead she saw compassion. He removed his shirt and took great care to wrap her back to staunch the flow of blood. Jenala hissed at the contact, white flashing light blurred her vision. She knew he tried his best to cause her as little pain as possible, but it didn’t matter Jenala didn’t know if she could handle the searing pain another moment. He picked her up and carried her toward town. The only person who could help was the town nupenian, who cared for animals. The quack they had for a doctor would surely kill her and she wasn’t taking the chance. Brenton could sew her up as well as the doctor could.

“Take me to the nupenian,” she said, her voice little more than a croak.

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BOOK PEEK ~ THE SWORDS OF GREGARA – RIZA by Cynthia Woolf

Dr. Riza Lamrona is on the run from a notorious space pirate. She knows his secrets and he wants her dead.

Darick Remaul was a Star Patrol detective who’s trained in trouble and sees it in Riza. He also sees beneath the baggy clothes and glasses to the beautiful woman underneath. Will he be able to get beneath her defenses before the pirate accomplishes his deadly task?

EXCERPT ~ THE SWORDS OF GREGARA – RIZA by Cynthia Woolf

“Ow! Are you trying to kill me, Doc?”

The man was understandably nervous, but he had to allow her to set his leg. She knew he was in a lot of pain. The bone stuck out through the skin and he had lost a lot of blood, but he needed to relax so she could set the leg.

“I haven’t even started yet. Stop being a baby. Here we go. You’ll feel a little pinch in your neck, then count backwards from one hundred.”

“Ouch! Little pinch!”

“Count, now!”

“One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight, ninety-seven, ninety….”

“Finally.” Riza worked quickly, not sure just how long he would stay out. She opened his leg, surgically implanted two kalcion rods and several screws to secure them to the bones. It would have been so much easier with a med-tech unit. But there were none on Gregara. They weren’t allowed. There were many things on the other civilized planets that weren’t allowed here, like blasters, but for some reason blasters always seemed to make it through the customs process. In Ruciem it seemed that as many people carried blasters as carried the traditional kalcion sword.

Most of the planet preferred to keep their customs, barbaric as they were. They used swords, not blasters and preferred the body to heal itself without help from technology. It made her work much more difficult. A broken leg like this one could have been healed in a few hours in a med-tech unit.

She stitched everything closed. Doing surgeries like this one allowed her to keep her skills sharp. It may not be necessary, but this man would have the smallest stitches ever put on a leg repair. Her skills as a plastic surgeon might not be usable here, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t keep her stitching up to par.

With her patient now awake and groggy, Riza went to talk to the next of kin. There was only one man in the waiting room. An extremely attractive man, if you liked handsome in a rugged sort of way. He hadn’t shaved recently and his inky black hair was on the long side, tied back with a leather strap. It suited him.

He stood as she approached. Well over six feet tall, he towered over her own five feet, ten inch height.

“Mr. Remaul?” she said holding out her hand.

“Yes.” His hand engulfed hers.

“I’m Riza Lamrona.”

“Doctor. How is Tarin?”

“He’ll be fine, but he’s going to have to stay in bed for a week or so before he’s ready to travel. I want to make sure the bones start to mend properly. Can you arrange that?”

“Of course. We have rooms at Wardson’s Bedstay.”

She nodded. “I wish there was a hospital here. A med-tech unit would be even better but….”

“I guess they don’t think they need one.”

“Well, he will heal fine, but it could be so much faster and better. You’re not from around here, are you?”

“No. I came from Alerkan a couple of years ago. And you, where are you from?”

“I’m from many places. Alerkan is one of them.” Riza retreated to her work. She didn’t want to make small talk. Her secrets were too dangerous. “Here are some pills to help with the pain. Have Tarin take them. Don’t let him try to ‘tough’ it out. Sarina Wardson is used to my sending her patients to care for. I’ll check on him in the morning.”

“What time do you want him here?”

“Oh, I’m staying with Sarina myself until I find a place of my own. I’ll come by before I head to work.”

“Good.”

“Yes. Um. Well. It was nice to meet you.” Riza wasn’t usually tongue-tied but she seemed to be with this man.

“You, too. Perhaps, since you are staying at Wardson’s, I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

“Unless I get an emergency call, you can count on it.”

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BOOK PEEK ~ THE SWORDS OF GREGARA – HONORA by Cynthia Woolf

They stole her love, her life and want to steal the secrets secured in her mind. Secrets that could topple world governments and decimate quadrant security forever. Now she’s on an epic quest to find out why and make those responsible pay.

Honora Reyestat gave up everything to become a member of the esteemed Gregarian Guard. No family, no friends, no connections–nothing that can ever be used against her. Captured and enslaved, she’s become a prized gladiator for her master. Given the task of training a new slave, she recognizes a fellow Zolthor and the son of a tribal leader at that. Her mission changes from discovery of the enemy’s tactics and secrets to returning Joridan to his people.

Drawn to this fierce woman as no other, Joridan Dolana tries to explain she is wrong. He’s not Zolthor, he’s Centauri. He was raised on Centauri with his sister. Faced with proof of a father’s ultimate betrayal, he must choose between revenge and the protection of this woman who has sworn to never return his love.

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EXCERPT ~ THE SWORDS OF GREGARA – HONORA by Cynthia Woolf

“Oww” a woman’s voice awash with pain reached his ears.

“You disappoint me, Honora. You continue to try to escape me. When will you learn?” asked a whiney voiced man.

The whip struck flesh. Again the woman moaned but didn’t scream. She didn’t scream.

When he woke again he was not alone but the man with the whip was gone. Chained across the room from him, hung by her wrists, was a woman. He could see the lash marks on her back. Lash upon lash, new over old. They obstructed the beautiful tattoo of a dragon on her back. The blood hard to see within the red of the dragon.

Crawling to her he released her hands from the chains holding her up. She collapsed in a heap on the floor. He crawled back to his side of the room as darkness overtook him once more.

*****

The dried blood on her back cracked with each movement, but she worked through the pain as she stretched. Breathed deep and accepted the pain. Her sword weighed heavier in her hand than usual. More evidence of the lashing two nights ago. She looked down at the unconscious man at her feet. A new recruit. A Zolthor, like herself. Another reason Perdor punished her for her attempted escape, her sixth try in as many months.

This last punishment was the worst. Five lashes. Not enough to incapacitate her but enough to make her remember. Perdor wanted her to be able to train the new slave. He wanted them to be a team, good enough to take on all contenders. He’d be the only owner with two Zolthor fighting for him. Not just one, but a team. He was practically wetting himself in anticipation of the beras that he’ll win with a team of Zolthor fighters.

Again she looked down on the naked man. Long brown lashes lay against his cheek. A nice contrast to his golden blond hair. What color eyes did they hide? Blue? Green? Brown perhaps. She’d find out soon enough.

He was a beautiful man. Well formed. Broad shoulders. Trim waist. Long muscular legs. He looked like a warrior. Would be a good fighter. Maybe even a good lover as he appeared well endowed there as well.

He’d awakened from the drug induced sleep long enough to crawl over and release her from the chains. For that she was grateful. Her wrists didn’t hurt as much as usual because of him. Using her blades was easier than it had been after her previous punishments.

Time to wake up the sleeping man and get him trained. Time was short and she intended to make the most of it. He would learn or he would die.

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA AND HER SWORDS OF GREGARA SERIES:

Website: www.cynthiawoolf.com

Blog: www.cynthiawoolf.com/blog

Jenala – http://amzn.to/JFXEQv

Riza – http://amzn.to/IQv7mp

Honora – http://amzn.com/B00AS4MOJI

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Cynthia Woolf’s CENTAURI Series

I hope you enjoy the recipe Cynthia is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 72 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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MONSTER COOKIES

1 pound butter

1 dozen eggs

2 pounds brown sugar

4 cups white sugar

1 large package M&M

1 large package Reeses Pieces

1 large package chocolate chips

1 large package butterscotch chips

3 pounds peanut butter

8 teaspoons baking soda

1 tablespoon white Karo syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla

18 cups oatmeal

In extra large bowl, cream butter, peanut butter, vanilla and sugars. Move to extra large soup pot. Add dry ingredients then add candies. Drop by tablespoon full. Makes 22 dozen cookies. Dough freezes well and the recipe can easily be cut in half or quarters.

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Cynthia will give away a kindle gift (or Nook or Smashwords coupon) of SWORDS OF GREGARA – HONORA to one lucky reader, as well as a $5 Starbucks gift to a second lucky reader!! Comment on either her Monday Interview and/or Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs for a chance to win. Winners will be randomly selected and announced Monday, January 21, 2013. Thanks, Cynthia, for sharing your stories with us!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Herb Fried Chicken

January 11, 2013 Karen Docter 2 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

I don’t think you can have too many ways to make chicken. This is a favorite because it’s flavorful and easy to pull together, even if you start preparing the chicken the night before. And you can’t beat fried chicken…in any form! 🙂

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 73 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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HERBED FRIED CHICKEN
[Serves 4]

2 lb. chicken, cut into pieces
2 cups prepared Italian, or other flavored salad dressing
1 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
2 cups bread crumbs

In the refrigerator, marinate chicken pieces overnight in salad dressing. Mix flour, salt and pepper. Drain chicken; dredge in flour mixture of flour, salt and pepper. Dip in salad dressing and roll in crumbs. Fry in hot deep fat (330 degrees) for 8-10 minutes.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: 25 Minute Beef & Salsa Burritos

January 4, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

There are simply some nights you need to whip together something fast and satisfying. No muss, no fuss. This is one of those recipes. 25 minutes and you’ve got a filling meal for eight on the table. If spinach isn’t your thing, replace it with sliced red and green peppers.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

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25 MINUTE BEEF & SALSA BURRITOS
[Serves 8]

1 ¼ lbs. ground beef
1 ½ T. chili powder
½ tsp. ground cumin
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 ¼ cups prepared chunky salsa
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
8 medium flour tortillas, warmed

In large non-stick skillet, brown ground beef. Pour off drippings. Season beef with chili powder, cumin, ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper. Stir in spinach and salsa; heat through. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Spoon ½ cup beef mixture in center of tortilla.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Jodie Pierce

December 28, 2012 Karen Docter Leave a comment

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with JODIE PIERCE

Introducing author, JODIE PIERCE, and her favorite recipe for CHEESECAKE!

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About the author, Jodie Pierce….

Jodie Pierce is thirty-seven years old and lives with her hubby, John in Cleveland, Ohio along with four beautiful step-children. She has had a fascination with vampires since they were introduced to her as a child and has had a long history with them. It wasn’t until she started reading the Anne Rice vampire books that she was truly inspired. She was an exchange student in Brasil in high school so you can find some of her experiences from there in her stories. Many of her stories have historical or researched facts as she also enjoys research and learning about new places. She has published five short novels (Eternal Press), a short story in “Midnight Thirst 2”, an anthology(Melange Books), has two self-published books and has several short stories that she still works on. She’s always busy with the next great vampire story as her mind is non-stop and even plagues her dreams.

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BOOK PEEK ~ THE DEMISE OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Jodie Pierce

The Queen is once again ruling her subjects only this time it is a school for the ‘different’ children in Scotland. A school full of vampires, witches, warlocks, elves and fairies, one that is feared and hated by all who attend. A new group of witches and warlocks show up to her gates and cause all kinds of havoc within the school. Vampires and witches are at odds and only a few can see the survival of the school. An ancient lover and the Queen are reunited but at what costs? A new, as well as an old lover unite to attempt to take the Queen off her throne. Will it work? Will the Queen maintain her horrendous rule over the students? Can the spells woven work and change history? All will be told in the end.

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CONNECT WITH JODIE AND HER BOOKS:

http://www.thevampirequeen1@gmail.com

http://www.thevampirequeen1.weebly.com

http://www.thevampirequeen1.blogspot.com

http://www.jodiepierceauthor.blogspot.com/

http://www.vampiricallyrical.blogspot.com

www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/Sink_Your_Fangs_In
www.goodreads.com/user/show/5216941-jodie-pierce
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jodie-pierce/25/357/b22Twitter: vampiregdshttp://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/thevampirequeen https://www.facebook.com/jodie.pierce.14

http://www.facebook.com/jodie.pierce.779

http://www.facebook.com/VampiricalLyrical

http://www.facebook.com/authors.authority

Here are some of my buy links (I’ve only included my traditioinally published books)

The Vampire Queen:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Vampire-Queen-Jodie-Pierce/dp/1615723625/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356565598&sr=8-1&keywords=jodie+pierce

The Vampire Chronicles:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Vampire-Chronicles-Jodie-Pierce/dp/1615725814/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1356565598&sr=8-3&keywords=jodie+pierce

Demise of the Vampire Queen:

http://www.amazon.com/Demise-Vampire-Queen-Jodie-Pierce/dp/1615728074/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1356565598&sr=8-5&keywords=jodie+pierce

Condemned By A Vampire:

http://www.amazon.com/Condemned-Vampire-Jodie-Pierce/dp/1615726497/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1356565759&sr=8-24&keywords=jodie+pierce

Please also buy (all can be found on amazon & smashwords):

The Reluctant Vampire-self-published YA paranormal romance

Tales of the Vampire: From A-Z-self published personal anthology

Once Sanguist, Twice Bi-self published lesbian erotic paranormal romance

Midnight Thirsts 2-Traditionally published anthology

I hope you enjoy the recipe Jodie is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 71 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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CHEESECAKE

2 8-oz packages of cream cheese

2-tubes of crescent rolls

1-cup sugar

1-egg separated

1 tsp. vanilla

Sprinkle cinnamon (Optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out one tube of crescent roll on wax paper so it’s 11×9 size. Grease bottom of 11×9 baking pan and place crescent roll in bottom. Stretch to fit all sides. Mix together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg yolk until creamy. Spread mixture on top of crescent roll in pan. Spread out second crescent roll on wax paper to size of pan. Peel off and place on top of cream cheese mixture, spreading to all sides of the pan. Whip up the egg white and lightly brush it on top of crescent roll. Sprinkle sugar on top and finish with a light dusting of cinnamon on top (optional). Bake for 25 mins or until golden brown. Chill completely and serve cold. Enjoy!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Potato Chowder

December 21, 2012 Karen Docter 4 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

I love winter when I can finally break out my soup recipes! There’s something about coming inside out of the cold and smelling soup that’s been cooking in the crockpot or soup pot all day. Nothing like slipping that first spoonful into your mouth and swallowing flavorful heat right down to your core. Giving me goosebumps just thinking about it! 🙂

Those who know me know I don’t do weak soups. My soups tend to be more like stews, than soup. No weak broth need apply! I especially love chowders that are quick to make and satisfying. This is one of my favorite chowders. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 70 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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POTATO CHOWDER [Makes 2 quarts]

1 T. butter
5 cups cubed baking potatoes
¾ cup chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup diced celery
1 tsp. dried basil
1 bay leaf
¼ tsp. thyme
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1/8 tsp. celery seeds
¼ cup flour
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 cups skim milk
1/8 tsp. pepper
¼ cup evaporated milk
1 T. cider vinegar
3 (10½ oz) cans chicken broth

Melt butter in large Dutch oven over medium heat; add chopped onion, celery and bay leaf. Cook 5 minutes until tender. Add garlic; cook one minute. Stir in flour. Gradually add milks and broths; bring to boil, stirring constantly. Add potato and next six (6) ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered 25 minutes or until tender. Stir frequently. Stir in vinegar; discard bay leaf. Place 3 cups potato mixture in electric blender; cover and process until smooth. Add puree back in Dutch oven; stir well.

Serve with steaming hot bread.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Savory Chicken Pot Pie

December 14, 2012 Karen Docter 2 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Who doesn’t like pot pie? I know I’ve never known anyone who didn’t keep a secret stash of pot pie boxes in their freezer at one time or another. You know, for that occasional craving or that night when there’s absolutely nothing in the packed fridge you want to eat. Yeah, depending on which brand you buy, they sometimes don’t seem to have enough “stuff” inside to really fill the little tin bowl. But it’s the combination of flavors that appeal so you look for the best brand and hope for the best. You can stop looking now. You can make your own fairly easily and fill that pie crust to the brim with flavor. I have several variations for homemade pot pie but this is one of my favorite chicken recipes.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 69 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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SAVORY CHICKEN POT PIE
[Serves 6]

3 T. butter, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, trimmed & chopped
1 lb. cooked chicken, chopped
1 lb. frozen mixed vegetables
½ cup chicken broth
1 can (10-1/2 oz.) cream of chicken soup
½ pkg. (15 oz.) refrigerated piecrust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, red pepper and celery. Saute vegetables, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, mixed vegetables, broth and soup to pot. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer mixture to a deep-dish pie plate. Lay piecrust over pie plate and trim using a sharp knife. Seal edge using back of a fork. Cut slits in crust using a sharp knife. Melt remaining butter; brush over top of piecrust. Bake until crust is golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

* A great way to use up leftover chicken…or turkey!

** To change the flavors up once in a while, use cream of asparagus soup and a Chinese veggie mix. Or you can use cream of mushroom soup and a winter veggie mix.

*** You can make your own crust but using refrigerated makes this a quick option to get it into the oven fast when you don’t have much time.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special Triple with Deborah Palumbo

December 7, 2012 Karen Docter 1 Comment

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL TRIPLE** with DEBORAH PALUMBO

Introducing author, DEBORAH PALUMBO, and her favorite recipe for SWEET POTATO & CARAMELIZED APPLES CASSEROLE!

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About the author, Deborah Palumbo….

First let me say this is really exciting, being here again on your wonderful blog, sharing my books with you and a favorite recipe!!

I’m a self-pubbed fiction author now but I began as a young gal who from age 7 through 18 wrote poems for God, but I always wanted to write novels; it was something innate. That dream however, didn’t happen until I was unfortunately stricken with a debilitating illness; as a result, I have 9 novels published on Amazon and many more are sitting in my file waiting to be dusted off!

I spin yarns in several genres, available as ebooks and paperback: Paranormal…laced with mystery and romance, historical, and mystery/crime…you know who dunnit with frustrated detectives who are hot on the trail of some killer. The one element they all have in common is they are all mystery based.

I also co-wrote a screenplay with actor/writer Jordan Rhodes. I loved the experience immensely, but writing novels is still much preferred.

Okay so now that we’ve gotten my humble bio out of the way, we’re ready for the meat and potatoes.

You know, this was a difficult decision for me deciding which of my mystery/crime novels to spotlight, ( last time I discussed my vampire series The Undeparted) so I decided to do a little blurb about all three, but mainly focus on my crime noir with a vintage detective, When the Temperature Rises. I realize crime noir requires certain taste buds, but I just happen to love the Detective McAllister series… Book 2 is a WIP by the way….and hope you guys feel the same way!

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BOOK PEEK 1 ~ WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES by Deborah Palumbo

Before I take you for a spin in Detective Humphrey McAllister’s 1941 black Ford Sedan right up to the crime scene of Sam Santino’s murder, I want to explain some things to you about Humphrey.

Humphrey was constantly skirt chasing; blonde dames were like magnets and he had absolutely no self control. His other device was consuming too much of the funny water. Yeah, yeah he shook those nasty habits like dance hall girls doing the hoochie coochie, but it’s hard to prove you’ve got your act together. Pot bellied Captain Milroy has lost all faith in his Detective and reluctantly turns over the Santino case to Humph. Humph has 48 hours to solve it or he’s gonna be demoted from homicide to following bed jumpers at sleazy motels.

Let’s fast forward just a bit shall we. Santino got himself whacked pretty good. He’s shot up full of bullet holes so that he looks like a damn piece of swiss cheese. He’s alive when Humphrey arrives, barely alive; Humphrey dials the emergency wagon for poor Sam, but Sam expires before the wagon arrives. Before his unfortunate demise though he tries to convey some kind of message to Humphrey, but he has too much lead in him to complete a sentence. There might be a clue though but Humphrey can’t decipher it.

So, Humphrey sweeps the apartment for tangible clues and one clue leads to another and takes Humphrey on a journey to some pretty interesting people on his list; some are voluptuous blonde dames that attract the Detective like magnets, others are boxers who could lay Humphrey out with one right hook. But the most interesting suspect comes right out of left field like some fly ball: Roberta, Humphrey’s ex wife.

Now what you have to understand about Humphrey is he’s still carrying a torch for Roberta, so hauling her in is the last thing he wants to do. In fact, Humphrey’s thinking he’ll see ice skating in hell before he slaps handcuffs on her.

So anyway, he pulls up to Roberta’s quaint rancher with the green shutters and wants to see if he can shake that feeling about her guilt, but when Ro’s cat Tuna gets out of the house and dashes into the bushes, Humphrey does the gentlemanly thing and scoots down through the bushes to save Tuna. That’s when Humphrey gets the shock of his life!

Now I can’t tell you bupkis about what happened for obvious reasons. Whether or not he slaps a steel bracelet on his ex and hauls her off or not or let’s her walk into the sunset….well, you’ll have to read the novel WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES to find out!

If you do I sure hope you enjoy it!

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book: “So you wanna make the bedsprings bounce?”

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES by Deborah Palumbo

EXCERPT

June eleventh 1948

All right, so he wasn’t the brightest bulb down at headquarters, and so what if his specialty was peeking between the sheets and not those fancy crimes of murder and mayhem. A crime was a crime and sheet hopping was illegal, well, when money was exchanged that is. And another thing, a man should have a second chance; he has the right to redeem himself, especially when he hasn’t had a drop of the fancy water in two years and wasn’t doll dizzy anymore. That irrepressible soft spot for the dames, well, it was repressible after all. Too bad his wife wasn’t around to congratulate him. Besides, Humphrey McAllister had his good points. He was an eager beaver, had a lot to prove, could be a class A detective only if; only if he stays sober and keeps his pants zipped up that is; so the Captain really should stop busting his chops and cut old Humphrey a break. Humph was working hard on his deficiencies. He was determined to prove he had what it takes to make it in homicide.

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B0096CGW3W/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link

BOOK PEEK 2 ~ THE DOCTORS by Deborah Palumbo

The FBI agent, Donald P. Cobbs who wears big Stetsons and lizard boots in god awful colors can’t believe his ears. It’s the third informant from his case that died in some kind of freak accident. Now he’s gotta wait for another green horn fresh out of residency to be hired by Lanny Loch and Richard Pathroff and hope the new guy on the block will be his newest informer. Or victim? Hence Adam J. Frye.

Adam and his wife Maggie think the hard days of med school and residency are behind them; the money will start rolling in, life will be smooth working for Doctors Loch and Pathroff, but their dreams are shattered when some cowboy FBI agent pays them a visit informing Adam that his life is in grave danger. He’s the fourth associate of Loch and Pathroff. The other three are dead. As doornails.

It isn’t long after Cobbs’ visit that Adam gets suspicious over the sudden deaths of some of his healthy patients. The straw that breaks the camel’s back is a young woman who comes to Frye with suspicions of her father’s untimely death and asks him to “check things out.” That’s when Adam decides to help the FBI. He and Maggie uncover a diabolical scheme that involves the mob.

Adam having aroused suspicion unknowingly by one of the mob’s key players, is on their watch list. Suddenly the tables turn on Adam when he’s set up on his own wire. He’s guilty in everybody’s eyes. He’s got to prove his innocence to the FBI, and he’s got to do this before he’s either thrown in jail or killed by the mob; made fish bait like the last unsuspecting associate. He can’t make an error, it’s life or death.

THE DOCTORS by Deborah Palumbo

EXCERPT

His brain was numb. Who could be ringing his doorbell at 3:30 in the morning? He decided to ignore it and stay in bed, but the bell was persistent. It could be a neighbor in distress. Should he get involved? It could be some juvenile delinquent playing a prank. Come to think of it, neighbors had been complaining about the element in the neighborhood lately, delinquent kids playing jokes that weren’t so funny, like spray painting cars and breaking windows. People didn’t have enough money to buy themselves groceries let alone get a new paint job for their cars or repair broken windows. Things were tough on some of those Philadelphia streets.

The doorbell buzzed over and over again. It got on Jim’s nerves and his sleepy disposition succumbed to anger. Those nasty brats needed a good lesson and he was just the guy to give it to them too. A reformed delinquent himself, he knew how to handle punks, the kind he once was. He flung the blue swirled cover off of himself, the warmth of it gone; he was in black boxers and was bare chested with a myriad of ugly blue tattoos from those days in the gang. He stepped out of bed, grabbed the trousers he had worn only hours before, they were flung over a flea market chair next to an old bureau loaded with dust, and pulled them up around his thirty two inch waist. His wallet fell out of the pocket; he picked it up and stuffed it back in. He pulled the hoodie over his dark hair, stepped right into his carefully placed slippers by the side of his bed and shuffled to the door. He hit the intercom like a fool, knowing darn well nobody would answer him, which they didn’t. He looked out of the peephole into the hallway; the light was out so he couldn’t see anyone or anything in the inky dark. If he didn’t put an end to it then and there, scare the shit out of those numbskulls, they’d be back again, waking him up out of a sound sleep the next night. He knew they were getting off waking people up in the middle of the night. It had to end before it became habitual. But he’d have to go chase them down the flight of stairs; no doubt they ran faster than he did. Still, he had a few good sprints left in him. Besides, he was already awake, so the decision was made.

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B007WL4CRM/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link

BOOK PEEK 3 ~ EDGE OF DARKNESS by Deborah Palumbo

“Edge of darkness is a taut suspenseful Detective thriller laced with humor that reminds one of the wit displayed by the character of Lenny from Law & Order. It’s an interesting read that would easily translate to film as it conveys visuals to the reader. For every Mickey Spillane fan out there – Mickey’s back – only he’s a female and her name is Deborah Palumbo” … JORDAN RHODES Actor/writer

BLURB: I’m not sure who I feel more sorry for: Alicia or Lieutenant Navarro. Alicia just lost her fiance to the hands of a vicious killer and is now being stalked by the same maniac who killed her boyfriend. She’s petrified because she knows he’s coming close and is determined to get her. Problem is, Lieutenant Navarro who is earnestly trying to protect her and solve the case is being accused by Alicia of being the killer. Everything sort of snowballs out of control for Navarro and suddenly he finds himself engulfed in circumstantial evidence that sure makes it seem that he is the cold blooded murderer.

He’s got to catch the killer now not only to keep Alicia and others safe but to prove his innocence.

But all he’s got is gut instinct. He’s got absolutely no proof, no evidence, no clues; not even the circumstantial garbage the DA loves to throw away in the trash.

One thing, a little hint: People aren’t what they seem.

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B007D3SM48/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link

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CONNECT WITH DEBORAH AT THE FOLLOWING HAUNTS:

WEBSITE: www.deborahpalumbo.com

BLOG: http://deborahpalumbotheundeparted.blogspot.com/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/deborahpalumbo2

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6441876.Deborah_Palumbo

I hope you enjoy the recipe Deborah is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 68 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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A NOTE FROM DEBBIE: YUMMY RECIPE, my very own concoction!

SWEET POTATO & CARAMELIZED APPLES CASSEROLE

Two large sweet potatoes
Two red delicious apples
Couple of tablespoons of butter, or as needed
1/3 to 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

Peel potatoes and slice in rounds. Place a single layer in buttered baking dish (8×8) and top with a layer of peeled, cored and sliced apple. Drop a dollop of butter over top and sprinkle sugar/cinnamon/salt mixture. Repeat the steps until all gone. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes to 1 hour.

For variety you may add raisins and caramelized onion to layers….it’s all scrumptious!

Serve this as a side dish with ham or beef, or with lunch. I suggest a provolone grilled cheese on seven grain bread with hot and sweet mustard. The sweet potato and caramelized apple casserole is a delicious side with a grilled provolone sandwich.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Fudge Truffle Cheesecake

November 30, 2012 Karen Docter 2 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

It’s no big news to anyone who knows me that I can pass up cake and pies…for the most part. 🙂 But, stick a cheesecake under my nose and I’m in Nirvana. I haven’t met a cheesecake I didn’t like. Add fudge and truffle in the title and I’m so there!! This cheesecake is rich and decadent and…okay, I am a writer and there aren’t enough words. You have to taste it and just experience the magic!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 67 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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FUDGE TRUFFLE CHEESECAKE
[9-inch cheesecake]

Chocolate Crumb Crust (recipe below)

2 cups (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips

3 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

1 can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Prepare Chocolate Crumb Crust; set aside. In heavy saucepan, over very low heat, melt chips, stirring constantly. In large mixer bowl, beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add melted chocolate chips and remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 1 hour and 5 minutes or until center is set. Cool; chill. Refrigerate leftovers.

CHOCOLATE CRUMB CRUST
[For Fudge Truffle Cheesecake]

In medium bowl, combine 1 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa and 1/3 cup melted butter or margarine. Press firmly on bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Terri L. Austin

November 23, 2012 Karen Docter 12 Comments

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with TERRI L. AUSTIN

Introducing author, TERRI L. AUSTIN, and her favorite recipe for PUMPKIN BREAD!

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BOOK PEEK ~ LAST DINER STANDING by Terri L. Austin

Henery Press
978 1938383083
Released December 3, 2012

Rose Strickland is having a blue Christmas. Her friend is arrested for attempted murder, her sexy bad guy crush is marked by a hit man, and her boss is locked in an epic smackdown with a rival diner. Determined to save those she loves, Rose embarks on an investigation more tangled than a box of last year’s tree lights. With her eclectic gang at the ready, Rose stumbles across dead bodies, ex-cons, jilted lovers, and a gaggle of strippers as she searches for the truth. What she finds will leave her entrenched in a battle for freedom she might not survive.

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About the author, Terri L. Austin….

Terri L. Austin lives in Missouri with her funny, handsome husband and a high maintenance peekapoo. She’s the author of Diners, Dives and Dead Ends—a Rose Strickland Mystery. “Austin’s debut kicks off her planned series by introducing a quirky, feisty heroine and a great supporting cast of characters and putting them through quite a number of interesting twists.” Kirkus Reviews

She loves to hear from readers and you can finder her on Twitter, FB, Goodreads, TerriLAustin.com, and Henery Press. Terri and some of her writer friends have a Wednesday book chat on Little Read Hens. Stop by and join the conversation.

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LAST DINER STANDING by Terri L. Austin

EXCERPT

There are some absolutes in this life that are irrefutable. If you leave the house looking like crap, you’ll see someone you know, usually an ex-boyfriend. If you’re running late for an appointment, you’ll hit every red light on the way. And a three a.m. phone call is never good news. Either someone’s dead, in the hospital, or you’re a drunken booty call. But that Saturday morning, I discovered another reason to avoid the ringing harbinger of bad news.

“’ello,” I answered, my eyes still closed.

“Rose, I’m in jail, girl.”

I sniffed and sat up on my futon. “Janelle?”

“Of course it’s Janelle. They think I tried to kill Asshat.”

Scrubbing a hand over my eyes, I glanced at the clock. “Asshat?”

Janelle lowered her voice. “Rose, wake up and listen. I’m in jail, Asshat’s in a coma, and they’re saying I tried to kill him. I need help.”

Her dilemma finally penetrated my sleep-fogged brain. “Oh my God. Where are the kids?” Janelle had two, Damon, nine, and Sherise, seven. Both so cute you wanted to pinch their little cheeks. But I wouldn’t recommend it—that Sherise was a biter.

“They’re staying with my cousin, Sondra. But I got to get out of here. If they think I’m spending Christmas in jail then I’m Halle Damn Berry.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Call that fancy lawyer you know. He’ll figure it out.”

Dane Harker. “I’ll call him and come see you in the morning. Will they let me bring you anything?”

“Cigarettes and toiletries. These bitches trade everything for cigarettes. And Rose? Thanks.”

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Connect with Terri L. Austin & her books:

Terri and some of her writer friends have a Wednesday book chat on Little Read Hens

Amazon

B&N

I hope you enjoy the recipe Terri is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 66 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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A Note from Terri: Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the changing leaves, the hint of wood smoke in the air, and pumpkins. I make this delicious bread whenever my kids are home from college. The spicy pumpkin smell fills the house and makes me happy. I’ve adapted this recipe from Gifts of Good Taste published by Leisure Arts in 1989.

PUMPKIN BREAD
[Makes 2 loaves]

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (I use whole wheat pastry flour and it works beautifully)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup sour cream
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups pumpkin
2/3 cup water
1 ½ cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, spices, and sugars. Add oil, sour cream, eggs, pumpkin, and water. Combine until well blended. Stir in pecans. Lightly grease two 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. Pour batter into pans and bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool before removing from pans. Enjoy!

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