Tempting Tuesdays ~ Corned Beef and Cabbage

With St. Patrick's Day only a week a way, I thought I would share with you one of the meals my family makes every year. I've been eating Corned Beef and Cabbage since I cut my first tooth. This meal was more of a tradition in my Irish grandmother's kitchen than turkey. I know I can never duplicate my grandmother's recipe, but this recipe I found on Family Fresh Meals comes really close. Grab your crockpot and let's get cooking.

Ingredients

5-6 garlic cloves, crushed

1 small onion, cut into wedges

3 cups of water

2 TBSP sugar

2 TBSP vinegar

8 oz beer

3-4 lbs corned beef brisket

1 (1 lb) bag of baby carrots

                                              1 head of green cabbage, cut into wedges

1 lb small red potatoes, quartered

seasoning packet ingredients

(leave this out if you are using the packet that comes with the meat.)

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

2 bay leaves, crushed

8 Allspice berries

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

First, place the onion wedges and crushed garlic at the bottom of your crock pot. These will act as a shelf so your meat won't dry out on the bottom. Place your meat on top of the onions and garlic.

Mix together water, vinegar, sugar, and beer. Pour mixture over meat.

Sprinkle the seasoning packet included with the meat or combination of seasonings listed above. Turn your crockpot on to low and cook for 4 hours.

At the 4 hour mark, add the quartered potatoes and baby carrots. Cook for 3 more hours.

At the 7 hour mark, add the wedged cabbage and cook for an additional hour to hour and a half.

An easy all day recipe!

Enjoy and have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Sneak Peek Sunday - R.E. Hargrave

 

Coming 2014 ... the highly anticipated conclusion to R.E. Hargrave's The Divine Trilogy: Surreal

"Ms. Hargrave has a talent for weaving a story that many would consider too much and making it just right. The character development, the scenes, the emotions, it is all there." ~Amazon Reviewer

Please enjoy this exclusive sneak peek* 

(which is safe for all readers):

“Do you want kids?”

Erin almost dropped the wooden spoon she was using to push their eggs around the pan while they cooked. Did she? Maybe as a young girl with grand visions of what her future would entail she had. However, since Dr. Ellison, Holly, had confirmed the damage to Erin’s insides, she hadn't allowed herself to think about it.

Composing herself, she placed the spoon on the little bell pepper-shaped plate meant for such things, and turned to him. “Where’s that coming from?”

While Erin watched, Jayden reddened then looked away nervously.

“I've been doing some thinking since our visit with Ronnie and Steph. You’re always so good with their twins. A natural. It makes you glow in a way I can’t.”

Swoon. Desire flared within her, a bright flash of heat that settled to a low simmer while his words sank in. Was he saying he might want kids? But, she couldn't give him that.

Holly said “Possibility,” not a definite “No.”

“What are you saying, A rúnsearc?”

When his deep brown eyes met hers again, they were filled with determination. “I want to be the one to put that kind of look on your face, Erin. More than that, though, I want to know what it is to experience that kind of happiness and contentment—with you.”

Was he kidding her with this? He was asking something beyond her physical capability. Sure, Erin, and you didn't think you’d live to survive Spencer either. Look at you now.

“Breathe, sweet girl. I've got you.”

She’d started gasping for air and hadn't realized it. Now, Jayden’s arms were wrapped around her, applying just enough pressure to make her feel safe, but not trapped.

“I’m not saying we have to. I know we have obstacles to overcome if we decide to try. Guess what I’m trying to say is—well, I just wanted you to know . . . if you want kids . . . then I do, too. We can figure the rest out.”

If you haven't started this BDSM erotica series yet, here's where you can get the first two books:

To Serve is Divine (Book 1) I A Divine Life (Book 2)

*This excerpt is unedited, and subject to change for final publication.

R.E. Hargrave lives on the outskirts of Dallas, TX where she prides herself on being a domestic engineer. Married to her high school sweetheart, together they are raising three children from elementary age to college age. She is an avid reader, a sometimes quilter and now, a writer. Other hobbies include gardening and a love of a music.

A native 'mutt,' Hargrave has lived in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, and California. She is fond of setting her stories on location in South Carolina and Texas, but its anybody's guess as to what the genre will be! 

Facebook I Blog I The Divine Trilogy Website I Twitter

Saturday Snapshots 3/8/14

Saturday Snapshots is a picture prompt brought to you by Author to Author, meant to inspire the creative genius within you.

Maybe you'll be moved to write flash fiction for it, perhaps it will kick start an old idea for a novel, or it may inspire a new short story. Whatever it does, we hope you'll enjoy these images around the web.

If inspiration does hit, we hope you'll post a snippet in the comments.

Today's image: Venice

© Viorel Dudau | Dreamstime.com

Tempting Tuesdays ~ Cooking with Beer

From the kitchen of R.E. Hargrave

Cooking with beer ~ Oatmeal Stout

This particular beer has a rich molasses flavor that will permeate your stew and sweeten your bread just right. 

When Texas got hit with another freaky cold snap, I decided we needed a warm, comfort food dinner to fight the chills. Craving steak house bread ~ you know, those yummy mini loaves they bring to the table while you wait? ~ it seemed like the perfect time to pull out my beer bread recipe. I then opted to take it a step further by also doing an Oatmeal Stout Vegetable Beef Stew to accompany the bread.

Let's start with the stew . . .

What you'll need:

****

• Cubed beef
• ~1 1/2 c flour, 1 T garlic powder, & ~ 2 tsp black pepper 
• 1- 12 oz bottle of your favorite stout
• 2 c Beef Broth (to start; you may need to add liquid later after the veggies have had a chance to cook down)
• Asst. chopped veggies (Seen here: 1 large onion, 2 carrots, 3 stalks celery, ~ 1 1/2 c chopped brussel sprouts, ~ 1 c chopped mushroom, ~ 2 c chopped fingerling potatoes, & 1 bag of frozen green beans)

What you'll do:

Step 1: Preheat large stew pot
with 2-3 T of canola oil

Step 2: Mix flour, garlic powder, & pepper,
and then coat the beef cubes. Shake off excess.

Step 3: Add floured meat to hot pan.
Stir occasionally until meat has been seared
and pot is ready to deglaze.

Step 4: Deglaze by adding 1 - 12 oz bottle of stout beer.

Step 5: Add ~ 1 T parsley and 2 cups of beef broth.
Stir.

Step 6: Now add in all of your prepared veggies.
Stir every 15 minutes or so to incorporate as veggies cook down and give off their liquid.

While the stew cooks over a medium-low heat for the next hour, 

we can get the bread going . . .

What you'll need: 

3 cups flour
3 T sugar
1 - 12 oz bottle of beer

What you'll do:

Mix ingredients until a loose, sticky dough forms.

Place into greased loaf pan and
put into 350 degree oven to bake 50-60 minutes.

Bon Appetito from the kitchen of R.E. Hargrave!

Saturday Snapshots: 3/1/14

Saturday Snapshots is a picture prompt brought to you by Author to Author, meant to inspire the creative genius within you.

Maybe you'll be moved to write flash fiction for it, perhaps it will kick start an old idea for a novel, or it may inspire a new short story. Whatever it does, we hope you'll enjoy these images around the web.

If inspiration does hit, we hope you'll post a snippet in the comments.

Today's image: Spring is in the Air

 

Photo Credit: http://phillyfashionistas.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bird-at-spring.jpg

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

February 26, 2014

Author To Author's Newsletter is Changing

Inspiration

We've all heard it time and time again. "Inspiration comes, but it must find you working." So, what happens when your work is where you are lacking in the inspiration department? For writers, this can be especially difficult. Luckily, I consider simply day dreaming to be a working task. (One of the perks of being an author.) I stare blankly into space, the husband says something like "What are you thinking about?" and I can reply, "Shh, I'm working!"

Seriously though, nobody wants to waste their time staring blankly at a desk when trying to be inspired. So, when your job requires your imagination, I suggest that excercising that imagination is the "work" that must be done.

I like to do little things like go on walks and observe nature, that's usually enough to spark my imagination. However, when I am having an especially difficult time, I find that playing music helps me. In fact, I played my piano for an hour this morning simply trying to figure out the proper ending scene for To Be Loved. I had one in mind, ah yes. And thought it was a sure thing, it was all typed out, edited, and ready to go. But you all know how those pesky little characters can be, they like to change things up on you, take you by surprise. So, I find myself revising.....repeatedly.

On an occasion when music doesn't work I might move on to something like crafting. I'm a big do-it-yourselfer and working with my hands always helps me to clear my mind. Whether it's refinishing a piece of furniture or painting a canvas (With stencils, mind you. I'm no Picasso.) eventually the creative juices start flowing.

Last but definitely not least, my last resort is always the same thing. Food. I love food. Not Like, LOVE. I could eat for days, probably continuously if it wouldn't make me sick.  I like to cook and try out new recipes and of course while doing so, I begin to imagine a scene that could find a place in my story. However, be warned. Snacking while writing can be hazardous, I practically aspirated a chili cheese Frito just a few moments ago.

So, what say you? What do you do to find inspiration?



By A2A Contributor Andrea Goodson www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Join T.M. Franklin for a Cover Reveal

Author T.M. Franklin is presenting the cover for Who is Ainsley Bishop on March 1st, don't miss it! http://www.tmfranklin.com/index.php/blog/who-ainsley-bishop-finally-answer/

Check Out R.E. Hargrave's Latest Novella

Take a look at Unchained Melody, a military novella. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20839842-unchained-melody

April Emerson's Novel Goes on PreSale

Check out April's blog for link to preorder The Righteous & The Wicked now! http://aprilemerson.blogspot.com/2014/02/pre-sale.html?zx=47db010d365288bf

 

Join Andrea Goodson in a Fight for Hearts

Andrea Goodson still has a few days left in the Fight for Hearts campaign to aid Unlikely Heroes.  Visit her website to find out more. www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Wednesday's Weird Word

Blunderbuss

A gun with a flared muzzle or disorganized activity

Thank you for reading this edition of Author to Author's The Wednesday Word! Visit us again in two weeks for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word! Have a wonderful day!

Tempting Tuesdays ~ Bacon Cheeseburger Pie

I just finished reading Redeemed by a Rebel by Cynthia Woolf set in the 1870's. Cooking over the fire with a cast iron skillet was commonplace during those times. I got the itch to pull out my skillet and try this recipe from Oh, Bite It.

Ingredients

1 lb of lean ground beef
1/2 pound (or more if you like) crispy bacon
Approx. 1 1/2 lb of Velveeta cheese sliced to cover or 2 cups of shredded cheese
1 egg
1 cup of Milk
Salt, Pepper, and your favorite seasonings
2 cups of Bisquick or baking mix
1 8 inch oven safe skillet

Mix together Bisquick and milk in medium sized bowl until thick and smooth. Set aside.

Mix Ground Beef with 1 egg and desired seasonings then press evenly into the bottom of the skillet.

Top with bacon.

Cover with cheese.

Pour Bisquick over the top and smooth it out.

Bake at 350 degrees for an hour or until fully cooked through. Cover with foil at the halfway point.

Enjoy!