So, what do you think Miss Marple would say about the book?
Monday, March 31, 2014
Miss Marple is ready to BUZZ about Not The Killing Type
Miss Marple would like to create some Buzz for the paperback edition of NOT THE KILLING TYPE, which will be released on July 1st. Send in your entry and you could win an Advance Review Copy of the book, or an Advance Review Copy of Book Clubbed, the 8th Booktown mystery (also due out July 1st--we'll have a contest for that one in a couple of weeks.)
So, what do you think Miss Marple would say about the book?
So, what do you think Miss Marple would say about the book?
Friday, March 28, 2014
Foodie Friday: The Miles Sisters talk murder and food
The contest is still on and the giveaway is a Foodie Friday mug. Wouldn't you like to pour your coffee (tea, or cocoa) into this mug every Friday morning when you read the latest Foodie Friday blog post? You can ... by submitting a recipe idea for Angelica to make while she and Tricia talk in Booktown #9, which I am calling A FATAL CHAPTER. Here's what the sisters are saying in this snippet:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“I change my toast,” Angelica said, raising her glass once again. “Rest in peace, Pete.” She took a healthy slug. “But there’s more, isn’t there?”Tricia nodded. “Pete may not have died of natural causes.”
Angelica raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Tricia took a sip of her martini. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever really like them.
She hadn’t told Angelica what Pete had muttered before losing consciousness, but she’d have to tell Grant Baker when he came to talk to her—and he would. Not that what Pete had said made sense. He’d died with his secret and now no one would never know what it meant.
Angelica tasted the [whatever], declared it done, and enlisted Tricia to set the table. She did so on autopilot but had no appetite. She’d been wounded to learn Angelica’s secret and now shocked to hear of Pete’s death.
She wasn’t sure she would take any more shocks that day.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
So, what should Angelica be making for a summer supper while the sisters talk?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
TO ENTER ...
I've been having giveaways on Teacup Tuesday and been trying to chase people down to send them the prizes. No more. To enter, you need to send me your recipe and supply your SNAIL MAIL ADDRESS. And if you enter the contest, you agree to be added to my mailing list (if you aren't already there.) Send your entry in before April 1st to Contest @ LornaBarrett.com (close up those spaces). The winner will be announced on April 4th.Thursday, March 27, 2014
An online booksigning!
Not a week goes by when someone asks me, "When are you coming to my town for a booksigning?" The truth is, probably never. More and more bookstores are reluctant to set them up, and since I don't fly (and tend to fall asleep at the wheel when I have to drive for more than two hours), it's usually a mighty long (and expensive) train trip to get anywhere.
But fear not, those of you with e books--and even those without--I can have an online booksigning at any time of the day or night thanks to Authorgraph.
What's Authorgraph? A FREE online service that connects reads to authors. Authors sign a digital bookplate and the reader can add them to his/her books, or print them out and add them to print books. (Hey, win-win situation!)
You can request my Lorna Barrett/Booktown books here: Lorna
You can request my Lorraine Bartlett/Victoria Square books here: Lorraine
You can request my L.L. Bartlett/Jeff Resnick books here: L.L.
Hey, it's Update Thursday -- I'm adding a recipe a week to my Lorna website. Check out this week's recipe from Murder Is Binding.
But fear not, those of you with e books--and even those without--I can have an online booksigning at any time of the day or night thanks to Authorgraph.
What's Authorgraph? A FREE online service that connects reads to authors. Authors sign a digital bookplate and the reader can add them to his/her books, or print them out and add them to print books. (Hey, win-win situation!)
You can request my Lorna Barrett/Booktown books here: Lorna
You can request my Lorraine Bartlett/Victoria Square books here: Lorraine
You can request my L.L. Bartlett/Jeff Resnick books here: L.L.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hey, it's Update Thursday -- I'm adding a recipe a week to my Lorna website. Check out this week's recipe from Murder Is Binding.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Teacup Tuesday: Spill it -- hot or hotter?
Last week, I asked readers to tell me about the kinds of teas they like to drink--bags or loose. Whoa! Lots of opinions there!
Judy D. from Getzville, NY said, "My favorite tea is Mint Brook Meadow’s Peppermint and Spearmint caffeine free Herbal tea. I came across this tea last Spring when I was shopping at Miller’s bulk barn located on Route 104 near Medina, NY. It is a very relaxing tea and is great if you have a slight upset stomach. I enjoy sipping the tea when I am reading, especially a great mystery book! Enjoy!"
Mare F. from Winsted, CT said, "I grew up with both loose and bags...leaves at my grandmother's and bags at home. My father even brought a jar of "instant tea" into the house but my grandmother shamed him so that it disappeared soon after. Tasted awful! Until the past few years I stuck with bags for convenience sake, but I find myself ordering more 'I'm at home and settling in' routine each afternoon. I've two cups with china strainers in them and then tea balls at home."
Ruth N. from Dixon, CA said: My oldest son and shared many a cup of tea. I lost him five years ago and I'm the only tea drinker left in the family. Down to a small pot instead of a big pot but lots of memories of our chats over a pot of tea. I use both loose tea and tea bags, my son always wanted tea bags like his Grandma from Scotland shared with him. I've branched out and try different loose teas.
Debbie C. Cottonwood, AZ said: "At the moment, my favorite method of brewing tea is by teabag because there is a wide variety of places that I can buy them here in town. However, we've just had the cutest little tea shop open up in Old Town that sells it loose, so I've been itching to try that method as well. I made a brief venture in while I was waiting for my daughter to come dancing down the street with her ballet troop, decked out in one of her costumes for the Nutcracker for our town's Christmas parade. What can I say, it was love at first sight. However, I knew I'd have to ease my husband into moving a larger stash of tea into the house. Last time I brought home six new boxes and he just rolled his eyes at me. Good thing he loves me. Honestly, I think I just grew accustomed to drinking tea from a teabag from the time I was little. We would heat the water up in my grandma's old teakettle and then pour the water into a what would now be considered a vintage brown drip McCoy teapot that already had a few bags in it waiting to be steeped. Those were precious days sitting in my grandma's kitchen, sipping on tea while crunching on cookies. It reminds me to make the most of the time I have with my family. But, that doesn't mean I can't be adventurous and try other methods."
Mary P. from Australia said: "I use both loose leaf & tea bags. I have some very fussy family members who insist upon "real" tea. I generally just add the loose leaf to the pot - no infuser at all. The fun part is reading the tea leaves afterwards. (I'm still waiting for the tall, dark, handsome stranger to appear.)"
Antonette N. from Carol Stream, IL said: "I also love tea and try lots of different ones. On vacation I try to find a local tea - or at least one that 'feels' like the location. Current favorites are White Blueberry by Adagio Tea and Pomegranite Green Tea by Republic of Tea."
Vanessa P. from Seahurst, WA said: "I too have had many teas that I found only once or received as a gift and then could not find again... my solution is to go see Vicki at my local tea shop; Cascadia Herb'n Tea! She has actually created blends for me!"
Brenda T. from Howard City, MI winds the tea for one pot and teabagholder. She said: "I usually use a tea bag, not because I think it is the best way to make tea it is just a convenient way for me to make my tea. Such a pretty little tea set! Would love to win and share with my grand daughters!"
Tracy R. from Paducah, KY winds the free tea sample from Latteda.com. She said: "To be honest, I have never had tea from loose tea leaves. I am a huge coffee drinker, but I am starting to enjoy tea more. I have a terrible cold now, so I am having a hot cup of tea that is from the Boston Tea Company. My hubby, Jeff, got me a trio of tea tins for Christmas. Right now I am enjoying Jasmine Green from this trio. This is the first time I have had it, and I really like it. I will have to try the loose tea and see which I prefer. I love Teacup Tuesdays!"
P.S. I still haven't heard from last week's winner (Sharon S), although I e-mailed her. If she doesn't get back to my before next Monday, we'll be giving the bone china mug to another reader.
Judy D. from Getzville, NY said, "My favorite tea is Mint Brook Meadow’s Peppermint and Spearmint caffeine free Herbal tea. I came across this tea last Spring when I was shopping at Miller’s bulk barn located on Route 104 near Medina, NY. It is a very relaxing tea and is great if you have a slight upset stomach. I enjoy sipping the tea when I am reading, especially a great mystery book! Enjoy!"
Mare F. from Winsted, CT said, "I grew up with both loose and bags...leaves at my grandmother's and bags at home. My father even brought a jar of "instant tea" into the house but my grandmother shamed him so that it disappeared soon after. Tasted awful! Until the past few years I stuck with bags for convenience sake, but I find myself ordering more 'I'm at home and settling in' routine each afternoon. I've two cups with china strainers in them and then tea balls at home."
Debbie C. Cottonwood, AZ said: "At the moment, my favorite method of brewing tea is by teabag because there is a wide variety of places that I can buy them here in town. However, we've just had the cutest little tea shop open up in Old Town that sells it loose, so I've been itching to try that method as well. I made a brief venture in while I was waiting for my daughter to come dancing down the street with her ballet troop, decked out in one of her costumes for the Nutcracker for our town's Christmas parade. What can I say, it was love at first sight. However, I knew I'd have to ease my husband into moving a larger stash of tea into the house. Last time I brought home six new boxes and he just rolled his eyes at me. Good thing he loves me. Honestly, I think I just grew accustomed to drinking tea from a teabag from the time I was little. We would heat the water up in my grandma's old teakettle and then pour the water into a what would now be considered a vintage brown drip McCoy teapot that already had a few bags in it waiting to be steeped. Those were precious days sitting in my grandma's kitchen, sipping on tea while crunching on cookies. It reminds me to make the most of the time I have with my family. But, that doesn't mean I can't be adventurous and try other methods."
Antonette N. from Carol Stream, IL said: "I also love tea and try lots of different ones. On vacation I try to find a local tea - or at least one that 'feels' like the location. Current favorites are White Blueberry by Adagio Tea and Pomegranite Green Tea by Republic of Tea."
Vanessa P. from Seahurst, WA said: "I too have had many teas that I found only once or received as a gift and then could not find again... my solution is to go see Vicki at my local tea shop; Cascadia Herb'n Tea! She has actually created blends for me!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And The Winner Is...
P.S. I still haven't heard from last week's winner (Sharon S), although I e-mailed her. If she doesn't get back to my before next Monday, we'll be giving the bone china mug to another reader.
Next week ...
Okay .. are you old school and boil your tea water in a kettle ... or heat it in the microwave? Confess all!Friday, March 21, 2014
Foodie Friday: Contest--summer dinner recipes!
Comfort foods mean different things to different people. Mr. L loves toasted cheese sandwiches with tomato soup. Me? Not so much. For me, comfort food is TOAST (and I eat it dry, without butter). I like sweet foods. (Cake. YES!) He likes salty foods.
Here we are at the second day of spring, and I'm writing a book that's set in August. I've forgotten what summer foods are. Rather deliberately, I must admit. Especially since I'm trying to lose weight, and summer foods are very fatty. Well, for me, at least. I like cold salads made with LOTS of mayonaise. Hots, hamburgers.
So far I've only chosen one recipes for the next Booktown Mystery. Tricia remembers how much she enjoyed her Grandma Miles' Snickerdoodle cookies. For the other foods, I've said things like, "Angelica stirred the [FOOD]."
So ... let's have a contest. Suggest a recipe that Angelica can make for dinner. No junk food. Something summery, something healthy, something DELICIOUS!
The prize? A Foodie Friday Mug. It's VERY NICE! (I'm tempted to keep it myself.)
The thing is ... I've been having giveaways on Teacup Tuesday and been trying to chase people down to send them the prizes. No more. To enter, you need to send me your recipe and supply your SNAIL MAIL ADDRESS. And if you enter the contest, you agree to be added to my mailing list (if you aren't already there.) Send your entry in before April 1st. The winner will be announced on April 4th.
Send your entry to: Contest @ LornaBarrett (dot) com. (Close up the spaces!)
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Hit the road and listen to the Booktown Mysteries!
It seems like the author is always the last to know -- that's how I felt over the weekend when I got a Facebook message from one of my readers congratulating me for the continuation of the Booktown Mystery series in audio.
No, way, I thought. I was told unless sales improved that it wasn't likely to happen. And from the looks of my last royalty statement, I was pretty sure that was still true. But no--I checked the website and sure enough, there were Murder On The Half Shelf, Not The Killing Type, and Book Clubbed, all available for preorder and with a new narrator. And good news for those who don't like downloading to an MP3 player -- they'll all be available in CD format.
I know most people order their audio books from Audible or Amazon, but so far only Murder On The Half Shelf is listed (and, for preorders, it's for sale at half price for the MP3 version from the publisher, Tantor Media, and discounted 25% for the CD version). It'll be released on April 2nd. Not the Killing Type will be released on April 14th, so maybe it'll show up two weeks before release day. Book Clubbed will be released the same day as the hardcover and ebook versions (July 1st).
I was lucky enough to get an author copy of of the previous books, but don't know if I will get copies of these. (And I'd sure like them in CD format because my MP3 player got screwed up. Don't ask!) Meanwhile, I'll be very interested to hear what my listeners think of these new books.
So, do YOU listen to audiobooks?
No, way, I thought. I was told unless sales improved that it wasn't likely to happen. And from the looks of my last royalty statement, I was pretty sure that was still true. But no--I checked the website and sure enough, there were Murder On The Half Shelf, Not The Killing Type, and Book Clubbed, all available for preorder and with a new narrator. And good news for those who don't like downloading to an MP3 player -- they'll all be available in CD format.I know most people order their audio books from Audible or Amazon, but so far only Murder On The Half Shelf is listed (and, for preorders, it's for sale at half price for the MP3 version from the publisher, Tantor Media, and discounted 25% for the CD version). It'll be released on April 2nd. Not the Killing Type will be released on April 14th, so maybe it'll show up two weeks before release day. Book Clubbed will be released the same day as the hardcover and ebook versions (July 1st).
I was lucky enough to get an author copy of of the previous books, but don't know if I will get copies of these. (And I'd sure like them in CD format because my MP3 player got screwed up. Don't ask!) Meanwhile, I'll be very interested to hear what my listeners think of these new books.
So, do YOU listen to audiobooks?
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Teacup Tuesday ... all those lovely teas!
Once again it's Teacup Tuesday. We had a lot of "engagment" last week in the form of contest entries, recipes and opinions. But first ... a teacup!
Thursday is the first day of spring, and other years we've had evidence of it before the actual day. Usually in the form of daffodil points poking out of the crumbly earth. NOT THIS YEAR. The days are getting shorter, but so far not much warmer. There are geese honking overhead, but they're locals and flying low, not the flocks high in the sky in the regular V form.
I sometimes think spring WILL NEVER COME.
But, I digress.
I was rather amazed at how many people reported the vast array of teas they've tried and loved. Me, I'm pretty much an orange pekoe girl. I used to like Barry's raspberry cream tea, but they went out of business and I only have TWO bags left, which I've been saving.
Debbie K. from Houston, TX said: "My very favorite tea is one called Almond Sunset. I think it was a Celestial Seasonings tea. I'm down to three teabags of it and can't find anywhere in Houston or online that sells it now so I've been saving them. Their website called it a "dessert tea."
Guess I'm not the only one hoarding a precious few teabags. I don't know if it's still available, but it's listed online here, Debbie.
Cara D. from Daphne, AL said: "My favorite tea is a green tea with mint! I love this soothing tea and it is even better with honey from my own hives!"
That sounds yummy! And I'm in awe of anyone brave enough to face a hive full of bees.
Lynn H. from Rollinsville, CO said: "Without a doubt – Lapsang Souchong. I hated it the first time I tasted it, but, like a fine Scotch, it grows on you. I love its smoky astringency; it’s perfect first thing in the morning or last thing at night."
Ronna Lord from Potomic, MD said: "My favorite tea is Jasmine Pearls. First reason for liking it is that it has a lovely floral aroma and flavor. It reminds me or oriental Thai restaurants which have some of my favorite foods. The second reason is that I love to see those pearls open up into flowers when the hot water reaches them. And I must confess that my grandchildren are impressed with those pearls to flowers, too."
Jenni Oglesby from Louisville, KY said, "My favorite tea is currently Te Mole by the Louisville Tea Company. It's a black tea with cacoa bits and chili flakes/bits. It was a perfect tea for this miserable winter we've been having.
Sharon S. won the bone china mug and said, "My daughter recently gave me a 24 oz teapot decorated with cherry blossoms. She also included a package of Londonderry loose tea. I love it. Since we can't always drink tea together, I think of her when I am brewing the tea. It is a black tea and has a relaxing, floral fragrance. When I am drinking it, I can taste a hint of the strawberry and lemon. I have only tried it hot, since she gave it to me over winter, but I think I would like it iced too."
Debbie C. won the teabag holder and said: "An old standby that I love is Earl Grey with bergamot. I love the aroma of it and while I wait for my water to heat up, I stand there sniffing the teabag. How sad am I? I love the strong flavor of it too. I also have a new favorite which tastes like dessert to me is Licorice Spice. It has a natural sweetness and tastes absolutely nothing like black licorice. All of my tea is hot. For some reason, I detest iced tea. I like it plain with no sugar, no dairy products of any kind in it. Yes, I'm a teaholic. At this moment, I have 16 different flavors in my house."
And the winner of the free sample of tea from Latteda.com is Mickey S. from Louisville, KY who said: "I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite tea blend, but I suppose White Jasmine would be it. It's hard to find and can be pricey, but it has a lovely aroma served hot, and a cool refreshing taste with a bit of bite when served cold. Green Jasmine is almost as good and a lot easier to find, so that tends to be what I drink at work."
... we'll be giving away a darling little tea-for-one pot and matching teabag holder, another teabag holder, plus the free tea sample from Betsy Bean at Latteda.com!
And we'll talk about the virtues of loose tea verses tea bags. Do you prefer an infuser (a tea ball) or to use teabags.
To enter the contest, send your preference and perhaps a story about why you like your tea made a certain way to contest @ Lornabarrett.com (close up those spaces). If you're not already on my mailing list and you sent your mailing address, I'll send you an envelope of my bookmarks.
Come back tomorrow for talk about The Booktown Mysteries!
Thursday is the first day of spring, and other years we've had evidence of it before the actual day. Usually in the form of daffodil points poking out of the crumbly earth. NOT THIS YEAR. The days are getting shorter, but so far not much warmer. There are geese honking overhead, but they're locals and flying low, not the flocks high in the sky in the regular V form.
I sometimes think spring WILL NEVER COME.
But, I digress.
I was rather amazed at how many people reported the vast array of teas they've tried and loved. Me, I'm pretty much an orange pekoe girl. I used to like Barry's raspberry cream tea, but they went out of business and I only have TWO bags left, which I've been saving.
Guess I'm not the only one hoarding a precious few teabags. I don't know if it's still available, but it's listed online here, Debbie.
Cara D. from Daphne, AL said: "My favorite tea is a green tea with mint! I love this soothing tea and it is even better with honey from my own hives!"
That sounds yummy! And I'm in awe of anyone brave enough to face a hive full of bees.
Lynn H. from Rollinsville, CO said: "Without a doubt – Lapsang Souchong. I hated it the first time I tasted it, but, like a fine Scotch, it grows on you. I love its smoky astringency; it’s perfect first thing in the morning or last thing at night."
Ronna Lord from Potomic, MD said: "My favorite tea is Jasmine Pearls. First reason for liking it is that it has a lovely floral aroma and flavor. It reminds me or oriental Thai restaurants which have some of my favorite foods. The second reason is that I love to see those pearls open up into flowers when the hot water reaches them. And I must confess that my grandchildren are impressed with those pearls to flowers, too."
My favorite tea experience was years ago at the now closed Elmwood Inn in historic Perryville, Kentucky. The drive to Perryville is very pretty, and the visit stands out as one of my favorite days of all time. The service was perfect; the food and teas were exquisite and the presentation quite lovely. I'm so glad to have made it there before they closed. They still have a website selling their tea blends and I believe their cookbooks. I've had the pleasure of hearing Bruce Richardson speak 2-3 times. He's very interesting -- well-traveled and I love to hear his stories."
Kaye K. from Portland, OR said: "I love Market Spice tea that was made for and sold at Seattle’s Pike Street Market. Now you can find it other places, but that’s the original."
Kaye K. from Portland, OR said: "I love Market Spice tea that was made for and sold at Seattle’s Pike Street Market. Now you can find it other places, but that’s the original."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And the winners are!
Debbie C. won the teabag holder and said: "An old standby that I love is Earl Grey with bergamot. I love the aroma of it and while I wait for my water to heat up, I stand there sniffing the teabag. How sad am I? I love the strong flavor of it too. I also have a new favorite which tastes like dessert to me is Licorice Spice. It has a natural sweetness and tastes absolutely nothing like black licorice. All of my tea is hot. For some reason, I detest iced tea. I like it plain with no sugar, no dairy products of any kind in it. Yes, I'm a teaholic. At this moment, I have 16 different flavors in my house."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Next Week's Contest ...
And we'll talk about the virtues of loose tea verses tea bags. Do you prefer an infuser (a tea ball) or to use teabags.
To enter the contest, send your preference and perhaps a story about why you like your tea made a certain way to contest @ Lornabarrett.com (close up those spaces). If you're not already on my mailing list and you sent your mailing address, I'll send you an envelope of my bookmarks.
Come back tomorrow for talk about The Booktown Mysteries!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Hapy St. Paddy's Day, Everyone!
Tonight we're having corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots. (Truth be told, I like the boiled veggies the best. What are you having?
Friday, March 14, 2014
Baking for St. Paddy!
I included this recipe in Booktown Mystery #1, Murder is Binding, and next week it'll go up on the website. (I'm in the process of putting up ALL the recipes from the Booktown Mysteries.) But, if you want to try this for Monday (and we sure will be baking it), here's an easy recipe we've put together from a number of recipes. It works well for us!
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1½ cups buttermilk
¼ cup corn or canola oil
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Foil-line a baking sheet, lightly grease.
In a large bowl, stir the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, buttermilk, and oil together. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk mixture. Add the caraway seeds and raisins. Stir until a soft dough forms.
With floured hands, shape the dough into a large ball on a lightly floured board or waxed paper. With a sharp knife, make an X across the top of the dough. Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with milk. Bake in the center of the oven until golden brown (30 to 40 minutes).
Serve warm with butter.
Yum!
How are you celebrating St. Patrick's day?
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Teacup Tuesday: Weeee! Lovely Recipes!
Last week the topic was recipes and I'm rather disappointed to say that there were only two entries on that account, and both were WONDERFUL. But we did have two prizes (a lovely teacup and a free sample of Boneyard tea from Latteda.com) that will be rewarded.
As runner up, we have Strawberry Soup, from Jenny Ellis She wins the free tea sample from Latteda. She said: "This may seem a little strange since it's a cold item but ever since I had it at a tea house in my hometown I adore it. It's chilled strawberry soup. Also since her recipe was printed in the local newspaper, I have occasionally made the soup myself. I've already checked to see what ingredients I already own so once it starts to get warm outside I can make the soup myself. She also makes a chilled pumpkin soup that is yummy in the fall."
Strawberry soup
Ingredients
1 pound frozen strawberries with juice (if any) mostly thawed
3/4 cup powdered sugar (not necessary to sift)
1/3 cup grenadine
1/2 cup imitation vanilla
2 cups (1 pint) sour cream
3 cups half and half
Directions
In a large blender, add the ingredients in the order listed above. Blend on high (or puree) for about 15 seconds until no chunks of berries remain. At this point, you may divide this in half and freeze part for later. Add approximately 1½ cups half and half to each batch. Blend well. Makes about 20 to 24 servings total. Note: if using fresh berries, cut in half, add 1/3 cup sugar, shake well to make juicy before doing soup.
And the winner of the floral teacup is Lorie Mink, for her recipe for ... Starbucks Lemon Loaf. She said: "I really enjoy the Starbucks Lemon Loaf with tea. I found a copycat recipe through Facebook, but am unsure of who shared it as I only copied the recipe and not the name of the person who shared it. However, a Google search showed there are several versions of this recipe. I love a good lemon cake and as I am not that proficient as a cook, found this recipe easy to follow. I made it the first time for a couple of friends and we enjoyed it with English Breakfast tea. I have since made it for a work potluck and even substituted the flour with a gluten free all purpose flour so my husband (who is gluten intolerant) could enjoy it too. It is fast becoming one of my specialties and there is nothing I like better
than a slice of this with a good cup of tea."
Starbucks Lemon loaf
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup graulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Lemon Icing
1 cup confectioner's sugar; plus 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons milk (I used 2% milk)
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Use a mixer to blend together the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredient into the dry ingredients and blend until smooth. Add the oil and mix well. Pour the batter into a well- greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into center of the cake comes out clean. Make the lemon icing by combining all the icing ingredients in a small bowl with an electric mixer on low speed. When the loaf is cool, remove it from pan and frost the top with the icing. Let the icing set up before slicing.
What is your favorite tea blend? Orange pekoe? Earl Grey (hot or cold)? Send your preference and explain why to contest @ lornabarrett.com (close up those spaces) and you might win the lovely rose bone-china mug at the right! Entries will be taken until Monday March 17th.
Don't forget, you'll also be in the running for a free tea sample from Latte Da -- two chances to win!
The first of two of my daffodil teacups.
As runner up, we have Strawberry Soup, from Jenny Ellis She wins the free tea sample from Latteda. She said: "This may seem a little strange since it's a cold item but ever since I had it at a tea house in my hometown I adore it. It's chilled strawberry soup. Also since her recipe was printed in the local newspaper, I have occasionally made the soup myself. I've already checked to see what ingredients I already own so once it starts to get warm outside I can make the soup myself. She also makes a chilled pumpkin soup that is yummy in the fall."
Strawberry soup
Ingredients
1 pound frozen strawberries with juice (if any) mostly thawed
3/4 cup powdered sugar (not necessary to sift)
1/3 cup grenadine
1/2 cup imitation vanilla
2 cups (1 pint) sour cream
3 cups half and half
Directions
In a large blender, add the ingredients in the order listed above. Blend on high (or puree) for about 15 seconds until no chunks of berries remain. At this point, you may divide this in half and freeze part for later. Add approximately 1½ cups half and half to each batch. Blend well. Makes about 20 to 24 servings total. Note: if using fresh berries, cut in half, add 1/3 cup sugar, shake well to make juicy before doing soup.
And the winner of the floral teacup is Lorie Mink, for her recipe for ... Starbucks Lemon Loaf. She said: "I really enjoy the Starbucks Lemon Loaf with tea. I found a copycat recipe through Facebook, but am unsure of who shared it as I only copied the recipe and not the name of the person who shared it. However, a Google search showed there are several versions of this recipe. I love a good lemon cake and as I am not that proficient as a cook, found this recipe easy to follow. I made it the first time for a couple of friends and we enjoyed it with English Breakfast tea. I have since made it for a work potluck and even substituted the flour with a gluten free all purpose flour so my husband (who is gluten intolerant) could enjoy it too. It is fast becoming one of my specialties and there is nothing I like better
than a slice of this with a good cup of tea."
Starbucks Lemon loaf
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup graulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Lemon Icing
1 cup confectioner's sugar; plus 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons milk (I used 2% milk)
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Use a mixer to blend together the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredient into the dry ingredients and blend until smooth. Add the oil and mix well. Pour the batter into a well- greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into center of the cake comes out clean. Make the lemon icing by combining all the icing ingredients in a small bowl with an electric mixer on low speed. When the loaf is cool, remove it from pan and frost the top with the icing. Let the icing set up before slicing.
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Next Week's Giveaway
Friday, March 7, 2014
Foodie Friday: Dahl is never dull!
(AND GUESS WHO WAS NOT INVITED TO PARTIPATE???
That would be me.)
I admit it: until recently I've haven't been as interested in cooking as I am in baking. But lately I've taken a BIGGER interest in preparing food from scratch simply because I want to know what is in my food, and processed food is just not good for people. It's full of sugar and salt we don't need if we want to stay healthy. (And you know what, it's FUN!)
I'm trying to integrate legumes and pulses into my diet. (Lentils are pulses.) I also happen to love Indian food, so earlier this week I made curried lentils (also known as dahl). OMG -- it was sooo GOOD! Indian food looks scary to prepare because it seems like there are a million ingredients (mostly spices), but I decided I wanted to eat dahl and make it myself.
Here's an easy recipe. I didn't have any garlic cloves or ginger, so I substituted with a teaspoon each of the powdered stuff and it tasted just fine. (Indian food is very forgiving.)
1 tablespoon olive or sesame oil
1 cup finely chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
4 cups water or vegetable broth
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed and picked over
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon cardamom
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoon tomato paste
scallions, chopped (Optional as garnish)
Directions:
In a 3-quart stockpot or other medium-sized soup pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, about 6 minutes.
Stirring constantly, add the water or broth, lentils, spices and salt. Bring to a low boil, then turn down the heat to low, cover and let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are very tender.
Stir in the tomato paste until well combined. Cook for 10-12 minutes more, or until the mixture is the desired temperature and consistency. Serve hot on rice.
Yum! (You better believe I'll be making this on a a regular basis.)
What's your favorite ethnic food?
Monday, March 3, 2014
Half off or free -- sample my writing!
Now you can sample some of my work for free or at reduced price thanks to the Read An Ebook Week promotion over at Smashwords. You can download a version for any e reader format (Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Sony, iBooks).
First up, for 50% off, LOVE AND MURDER:
The collection contains:
Abused: A Daughter's Story
Cold Case
An Unconditional Love
We're So Sorry, Uncle Albert
Love Heals
Prisoner Of Love
Blue Christmas
Click this link and use the coupon code REW50 at checkout time!
MURDER ON THE MIND: When a brain injury leaves mugging victim Jeff Resnick able to sense people's secrets, he feels compelled to investigate a murder.
DEAD IN RED: Jeff Resnick takes the job of a dead bartender and must also find out who killed him, endangering everyone he cares about.
Click this link and use the coupon code RW100 at checkout time!
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