Karen’s Killer Fixin’s
**AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with Eileen Dreyer w/a Kathleen Korbel!

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, Eileen Dreyer, and her favorite recipe for CRAWFISH ÉTOUFFÉE!

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC?
Korel Classics: The Humorous Collection
BY EILEEN DREYER w/a KATHLEEN KORBEL

Blurb

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC?
Korel Classics: The Humorous Collection
BY EILEEN DREYER w/a KATHLEEN KORBEL

EXCERPT

As she solemnly processed down Bourbon Street next to Pete, Brooke could see the lush foliage of courtyards beyond plain facades and hear the chatter of water from hidden fountains tucked away behind. She could hear the ever-present wail of guitars and clarinets and smell the river and the filé of gumbo. A dozen different languages floated across the narrow streets, and a hundred different pitches of laughter danced on the heavy air like helium balloons. The city barely paused as the funeral procession passed. The Vieux Carre was honoring death by celebrating life.

Clad in gaudy satin cutaway coats, their fans attached to their belts, their top hats cocked just so, the Second Chance Brass Band progressed in slow, matched step down the cobbles, a mournful dirge floating from their gleaming brass instruments. Following behind in perfect rhythm stepped the official mourners, faces downcast, gaily decorated parasols swaying gently above, white-gloved sympathy for the bereaved.

And then, from one step to the next, from somewhere inside a single note, they swung from solemn grief straight into joy. From dirge into anthem, bass drum-pounded, trumpet-throated celebration that carried with it life and laughter and joy.   The Saints Go Marching In ricocheted off the old buildings and incited smiles from the sidewalk audiences. Children danced along with old men, and strangers ran from shop entrances and restaurants to join the impromptu parade, purloined napkins waving above their heads. And right in their midst, Pete and Brooke and Alex and Rene danced along, giving Mamie the tribute she really deserved. Because if anyone would have understood why these old men danced down a hot street in New Orleans swinging their parasols and clapping their hands and prizing miracles from battered old instruments, it would have been Mamie.

About the author…Eileen Dreyer w/a Kathleen Korbel.

New York Times bestselling, RWA Hall of Fame author Eileen Dreyer has published 31 romance novels in most genres, 8 medical­forensic suspenses, and 10 short stories.

2015 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her foray into historical romance, the Drake’s Rakes series, which Eileen labels as Regency Romantic Adventure that follows a group of Regency aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. She is also working on her first non­fiction book, TRAVELS WITH DAVE, about a journey she’s been taking with a friend’s ashes.

A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.

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Links to Eileen’s website, blog, books, etc.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Website

Facebook

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 219 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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CRAWFISH ÉTOUFFÉE
[Serves 4]

8 pounds fresh crawfish, washed
8 tablespoons butter
6 medium onions, chopped
½ cup celery, chopped
½ teaspoon tomato paste
½ cup water
½ teaspoon corn starch
Salt, Pepper, and cayenne to taste
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons parsley, minced

Place crawfish in large container of boiling water. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain, remove heads, peel and devein. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add onions, celery and tomato paste. Cook until tender. Add crawfish tails. In a small bowl, combine water and corn starch. Stir into onion mixture, stirring constantly. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne. Bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes. Add onion tops and parsley. Serve over rice or pasta.

From New Orleans Cookin’ in the Big Easy

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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**:  Eileen is giving away a ebook copy of her novel ISN’T IT ROMANTIC to a reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Eileen, for sharing your story with us!