Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with CATHY PERKINS
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, CATHY PERKINS, and her favorite recipe for SMOKEY SPICE WINTER SQUASH SOUP!
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BOOK PEEK ~ HONOR CODE by Cathy Perkins
With HONOR CODE, award-winning author Cathy Perkins delivers a mystery NOVELLA linked to her recent mystery novel, THE PROFESSOR.
In a small southern town where everyone knows each other’s business, veteran detective Larry Robbins must solve the disappearance of eighty-year-old widower George Beason.
When evidence arises that Beason may have left town on his own, it would be easy for Robbins to close the case, but his gut instinct tells him more’s at stake. As he uncovers clues about Beason’s deceased wife and his estranged daughter, Robbins must untangle conflicting motives and hidden agendas to bring Beason home alive.
About the author, Cathy Perkins….
Cathy Perkins’ suspense writing lurks behind a financial day-job, where she learned firsthand the camouflage, hide in plain sight, skills employed by her villains. Born and raised in South Carolina, the setting for HONOR CODE and THE PROFESSOR, she now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her work-a-holic husband and a 75-pound Lab who thinks she’s still a lap-puppy. You can learn more on her website http://cperkinswrites.com
Connect with Cathy Perkins & her books:
Website http://cperkinswrites.com
Amazon http://amzn.to/QV32k6
I hope you enjoy the recipe Cathy is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 65 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 Cathy: Are you deep into NaNo, looking for a simple meal (time saver with the holidays right around the corner) or a hearty winter soup? Smokey Winter Squash Soup gives you all the above – and flexibility depending on what’s in your cupboard. My kids love this soup (a way to get vegetables into them!) and I love being able to toss everything into the cooker in the morning and know dinner’s taken care of for the day.
SMOKEY SPICE WINTER SQUASH SOUP
[Makes 8 generous servings]
1 medium sized winter squash (~2 – 3 pounds)
4 cups chicken stock
Red pepper – use 3 – 5 if using prepared roasted ones or 1 large fresh one
Garlic – 4 cloves minced or 3 Tbs prepared
1 large onion
¼ tsp ginger, minced (or ½ tsp ground)
½ cup peanut butter
1 can garbanzo beans (or substitute Great Northern or any white bean you prefer)
¼ tsp Chipotle pepper (this is where the ‘smokey’ comes from; substitute red pepper if you prefer)
Pinch cardamom (substitute ¼ tsp cloves or nutmeg)
¼ – ½ tsp mustard (I’ve actually substituted Dijon mustard here)
½ tsp cumin
Chop up the winter squash and either roast for 20 minutes or microwave 5 minutes. Allow to cool, then peel and place in soup pot or slow cooker
Add chicken stock and remaining ingredients. Cook low and slow until everything is tender. I set me slow cooker for 4 hours and check to see if the squash is tender. Add time as needed – don’t worry about overcooking, it just gets better the longer the soup ingredients have to mingle. Taste and add seasonings if desired.
Blend until smooth. (I use an immersion blender but a hand mixer or the old standby blender work as well)
Serve with crusty bread and a green salad. 8 generous servings
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