Ole' Mexican Lasagna

Victoria Storm's Favorite From Mabel's Kitchen

Ingredients
1-1/4 pounds ground beef
1 medium to large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup salsa or picante sauce
1 cup taco sauce
1 16 oz can refried beans
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 10 oz can enchilada sauce
1 4 oz can chopped green chilies
1 pckg. taco seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
6 10-inch flour tortillas
1 2-oz pckg shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
2 cups crushed tortilla chips.
Sliced black olives, chopped tomatoes, chopped green onion, guacamole and/or sour cream for topping.

Directions
In a large skillet, cook beef and onionover medium heat until meat is done. Add garlic and cook another minute. Drain.
Stir in taco seasoning, black pepper, beans, salsa, taco and encilada sauce, and chilie.s,
Heat thorougly.
In a greased 9 x 13 pan, place two tortillas, a third of the meat mixture and one cup cheese, repeat layers except for the last cup of cheese.
Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 375. Uncover
Spinkle with remaining cheese and and top with tortilla chips. Bake until cheese if melted. Let stand for 10 minutes. garnish with black olives, tomatoes, etc if desired.

Mabel's New Version of Baked Alaska

When Mabel first started making Baked Alaska, she made everything from scratch. But then she found out cake mix works just as well in this fabulous dessert. And her employer, Victoria, gives this recipe both thumbs up. So if you've always wanted to make Baked Alaska and were deterred by the time, try this speedier version. It works for Mabel.

Ingredients
1 box devils food cake mix
1 quart ice cream (vanilla or/and choc chip work really well)
4 egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed

Directions
Heat oven to 350. Prepare both pans. One 9" round layer pan and one 9x9 square pan.
Mix cake according to package direction. Pour in pans. Bake the square layer 25 to 30 minutes and the round 30 to 35 minutes.

Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
 Place cooled square cake on baking sheet.
Place ice cream on cake. Trim cake around ice cream, leaving a 1-inch edge around cake.
Freeze cake and ice cream on the baking sheet.
Heat oven to 500.
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy.
Beat in brown sugar, 1 TBSP at a time. Continue beating until glossy and stiff.
Completely cover cake and ice cream wiht meringue, sealing it the foil on the sheet.
(At this point, if making ahead, it can be frozen up to 24 hours before next step.)
Bake on lowest rack in oven 3 to 5 minutes until meringue is light brown.
Trim to edge of foil then transfer cake to serving plate. Cut into 6 slices, then cut each slice in half. Serve immediately. Serves 12.

Chocolate Layer Cake

Mr. Frank and Martin go crazy over this cake, so Mabel makes it often. The thick, luscious fudge frosting all over and in the middle make it too tempting even for the ladies to resist.

Ingredients
1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 ozs. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter, softened.
1 3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk

Directions
Preheat over to 350. Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.
Combine flour, soda, and salt. Set aside.
Melt chocolate with water. Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.
Mix well.
Add chocolate a little at a time, mixing well.
Add flour mixture alternately with milk. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake 25-35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean and cake has pulled away from edges of pans.
Cool on racks. Frost layers with Mable's delicous fudge frosting. Recipe follows.
Fudge Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup water
1 tsp vanilla

Directions
Sift together powdered sugar and cocoa.
Melt butter and add to sugar mixture.
Add vanilla.
Add milk a little at a time until the frosting is speadable

Mabel's Chicken Cordon Bleu

Mabel tries not to show pride in her cooking skills, but this masterpiece brought raves from everyone. Who could help getting a little bit of a big-head?

Ingredients
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 slices ham
6 slices swiss cheese
3 T flour, 1 t paprika (mixed together)
6 T butter
1/2 cup dry wine
1 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 T cornstarch
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

Pound chicken breasts to thin them out a little, then place a ham and a cheese slice on each to 1/2 inch of edges. Fold the edges over the ham and cheese and secure with toothpicks.
Coat chicken with the flour mixture.
Melt butter in a large skillet on medium high and chicken on all sides. Add wine and bouillon. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until checken is no longer pink.
Place breasts on a warm platter and remove toothpicks.
Blend cornstarch and cream in a small bowl and slowly whisk into skillet. Cook and stir until thickened. Pour over the chicken, Enjoy!

Be sure to let Mabel know how you like it.

Mabel's Famous Fried Chicken

This recipe works best in a heavy skillet with a lid, but Mabel says in a pinch any old skillet with a tight lid will do. Even an electric one.

Ingredients

2 or 3 pounds of frying chicken pieces
I/2 cup of all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika (sometimes Mable spices it up with 1/2 tsp of red pepper)
1/4 tsp black pepper (omit if you use red pepper)
Cooking oil

Wash the chicken and pat it dry.
Heat oil in skillet (only a quarter inch or so high)
Mix flour with seasonings in a plastic storage bag and close tightly
Place chicken in flour a few pieces at a time and shake to coat.
Fry chicken in hot oil over medium heat until lightly browned.
Cover skillet tightly, reduce heat, and simmer for a half-hour or so until tender, turning chicken once or twice. Remove cover for last few minutes for crispness.

Makes 4 servings. Mayel always doubles the recipe for the Cedar Chapel Boarders. If Ben and Corky are there for dinner, she tripples it.

Miss Aggie's Gone Missing is now available for .99 from Amazon.com for kindle. All other ebook formats can be downloaded at www.smashwords.com. This is book one in The Misadventures of Miss Aggie series.

New blog about tea and coffee on Romancing America today. Check it out and see a photo of my favorite autumn teapot. http://romancingamerica.com/posts/lets-talk-about-tea/#comment-16

Romancing America Interview

I'm the guest today on the a great new blog called Romancing America that will showcase future books and authors in this Barbour Romance line. Check out my interview and while your there meet the blog's creator, Valerie. http://romancingamerica.com/posts/author/valerie/

Check out Salena Stormo's blog today and leave a comment for a chance to win Ann Shorey's new book. Where Wildflowers bloom. http://throughhiseyestoo.blogspot.com/2012/01/where-wildflowers-bloom-by-anne-shorey.html

White River Sunrise

This month I'm honored to be the featured author on the Heartsong Presents website. White River Sunrise was released to the bookclub this month. Check it out. http://www.heartsongpresents.com/8

Update on Spyglass Lane Cozy Mysteries. Enjoy! http://www.spyglasslanemysteries.com/99-cozy-mysteries-for-your-ereader/

Cherry Blossom Capers

Cherry Blommom Capers is now available. To read more about it and some fun facts, please check out our blog at http://cherryblossomcapers.blogspot.com/

Two Ways the Enemy Attacks Writers

Read this nugget of truth by Allen Arnold

http://allenarnoldwrites.com/two-ways-the-enemy-attacks-authors

What's a KindlePalooza?

What's a KindlePalooza? It's BIG. It's BETTER. It's a-palooza! The winner of this Kindle given away December 15th, 2011 will be gifted with a MINIMUM* of 12 of the 24 ACFW Book Club books chosen by the club during 2012!! So, the winner wins ALL YEAR LONG!

http://pamhillman.blogspot.com/2011/07/pams-blog-tour-kindle-contest.html

Candy Coated Secrets

Summer Meadows has gotten herself in trouble again. And she was only trying to fnd a killer!  In this sequel to Fudge Laced Felonies, Cynthia Hickey has hooked me for good. I can't wait to read book 3. From the moment the circus came to town Summer felt something wasn't quite right. First she's drafted into leading a rambunctious elephant to the campgrounds where she finds a woman hanging from a shower spigot. Suicide/ Summer doesn't think so.  From a crazy elephant on a rampage to a gorilla stalking her, Summer finds herself in danger over and over again. But the love of her life is determined to stick by her side. A very nice twist at the end proved once more that Ms. Hickey is very skillful at stumping us. You won't be disappointed in this one. You can purchase it on kindle at http://www.amazon.com/Candy-Coated-Secrets-Meadows-Mystery-ebook/dp/B005VGN0E6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319074079&sr=8-2

Or for other e-book formats go to http://www.smashwords.com

Southern-fried Fiction: The Plot Whisperer

Southern-fried Fiction: The Plot Whisperer: Martha Alderson has worked with hundreds of writers in plot workshops, retreats, and plot consultations for more than fifteen y...

Fudge Laced Felonies

Oh boy! A mystery, a romance, and a candy store. Now this is my sort of entertainment. Follow Summer Meadows as she makes lucious chocolates, yearns over the handsome best friend she happens to be in love with, and goes after the crook who left diamonds underneath her rosebush. You'll laugh and cry with Summer. You'll also shiver as a murderer wants to make her his next victim.

This is Cynthia Hickey's first cozy mystery, Fudge Laced Felonies. Available now from. http://www.smashwords.com in most e reader formats.

Coming soon in kindle format from http://www.amazon.com

The Cozy Mysteries are Available Now

Spyglass Lane Mysteeries launches tomorrow. Available for  purchase from www.amazon.com and www.smashwords.com


The Wedding Caper by Janice Hannah.
Another Stab at Life by Anita Higman
Homicide on Bllue Heron Lake by Susan Page Davis and Megan Elaine Davis.


Here's my review of The Wedding Caper. (The Bridal Mayhem Mystery Series)


Annie Peterson is on a quest to discover who stole a $25000 deposit from the bank depository.She hopes that in doing so, she'll clear her husband of the crime. From the moment Annie signs up for an online course in private investigation until the satisfying conclusion Janice Hanna kept me thoroughly entertained. And maybe taught me a few lessons as well. The characters are delightful and so is the story. If you love a good cozy mystery, grab this book and a cup of your favorite hot beverage and enjoy. You won't be disappointed.
This ebook can be purchased at www.amazon.com or www.smashwords.com

Exciting News on Two Fronts

Hi everyone,
I'm so happy that fall like weather has finally arrived here. 59 for a high today. Cloudy. Windy. All in all my kind of weather. I hope everyone is enjoying it. And for those of you who are still suffering from the heat, better days are coming.
 Now for the news. First of all about the cozy mysteries ebook line.
Spyglass Lane Mysteries is scheduled to launch on September 29th. We have a new  website and a Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spyglass-Lane-Mysteries/245050092206915  Be sure to go Like the page.
Website:  http://www.spyglasslanemysteries.com   Here you can find out all about the upcoming releases and their authors. Soon there will be information on how to order the books.

Secong piece of news: I'm working on some projects for new books for my agent to take to ACFW conference. (Lots of editors and publishers there), so pray that someone will absolutely love what they read and hear about the Contemporary Romance stand alone book and the Historical Romance Series.

Everyone have a blessed evening and weekend.

Blessings,
Frances

Spyglass Lane Mystery Series

Hi Friends,  Thanks for stopping by. It's a beautiful, sunny but nice and cool September day here in my part of Missouri. So nice after the extreme heat we've suffered through this summer.

The Disasters: My prayers are with all of you who have lost loved ones or property in the recent hurricane and/or flooding.

Book News: The new Spyglass Lane Mystery series is expected to launch the week of September 25th. I'll be announcing the first books with their authors  soon.  Those of you who missed the sequels to your favorite HP cozy mystery books will be able to read them in their new format.

I'll be posting covers and links to purchase the books soon.  I'm very excited and happy that The Misadventures of  Miss Aggie will be re-released. And thrilled that Rest in Peace  will return with a few changes, and it's original intended title. Rest in Peace, Miss Aggie.

Everyone have a blessed and happy day.

Frances