Mangia! by Karen Rock

Mangia by Karen Rock



In the afterglow of Thanksgiving, I thought it'd be nice to share a recipe with you for the holidays. As a second generation Italian/American, marinara sauce is a staple. You just can't get through the season without it in my family! At the end of summer, we can our plum tomatoes and then use them to make sauce throughout the year.

Between using it plain with pasta, in baked ziti or eggplant parmigiana dishes, it's a must to make a large batch, freeze it in in user-friendly amounts, and then thaw and use when needed during the holiday season. I have such fond memories of watching my Nonna make this sauce and even fonder memories of our three-hour, six course holiday meals (antipasto, pasta & sauce (or another meatless dish, meat dish with a side dish (vegetable), salad, cheese, nuts & fruit, and desert & coffee) Even the youngest children are expected to sit quietly and listen to the adults, even though they speak Italian- and very quickly at that! However, it taught me a lot about self-control and the value of family. To this day, when others rush through a meal, I always wish those years of my childhood back when the dinner table was the gatherings spot, not the TV, where people spoke to each other rather than texted, where healthy eating was a given, not extra work.

I'm thrilled to share my recipe and wish for you to enjoy quality time together this season :)

Marinara Sauce:
8 Tbsp extra virgin olive Oil (be very picky and chose the best!)
8 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 C chopped yellow onion
8 large garlic cloves (split)
112 oz  crushed tomatoes (four 28 oz cans- canned plum tomatoes from garden is best)
8 Tbsp minced basil (fresh)
2 Tsp sugar (or one carrot, cut up)
4 Tsp salt
1 1/2 Tsp ground pepper

In a heavy sauce pan, heat olive oil over medium heat until haze forms, then add butter. Add onions and turn heat to low; cook, stirring frequently, until translucent but not brown, about five minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking until soft but not brown, about four minutes. Stir in tomatoes, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Increase heat to high. Bring sauce to a boil, stirring constantly, then turn heat down to low. Cook, partially covered, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat, cover pan, and let sauce rest for at least one hour. Removed all garlic cloves and carrot pieces before separating into containers.

As my Nonna Giovanna would say, (here with her sister), mangia!

 

 Happy Holidays everyone :) What are some of your favorite dishes you serve every holiday?

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Award-winning author, Karen Rock, writes sweet romance for Harlequin Heartwarming. Learn about her upcoming releases, giveaways and news at http://www.karenrock.com or connect with her at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5 or http://www.facebook.com/karenrockauthor

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Look for more exciting recipes from your favorite sweet romance authors at our Holiday Party at the Sweet Romance Reads Café on Thursday, December 10th.

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Frosty nights and New Year's resolutions.... by Roxanne Rustand

Brrrrrrr!!  Here in the Midwest, we are looking at about seven more inches of snow tonight, followed by high winds, plummeting temps and windchills of -40 F by tomorrow morning.

We live on acreage out in the country, so this means there's a good chance our dead-end country road will be drifted shut.  Winter is here! 

So, I ran all necessary errands in town today, bundled the three horses up in the barn early this evening before the snow started, and counted tails to make sure all six kitties were safe inside before closing the doors.  A little planning, and we are set for whatever weather difficulties arise.

Now, as I settle down at the computer to write this and re-read Mona's charming Sweet Romance Reads blog post from two days ago, I'm reminded of my own New Year's resolutions for 2015--most of which are meant to help me plan and prepare for having a
productive year of writing.

With the high probability of being snowbound tomorrow,  I can get started on the first resolution: tackling my disaster of an office so it will be clean, organized and conducive to being able to buckle down and focus.  I'm excited about getting back to work, now that the holiday rush is over,  and can't wait to get started!


So how about you...did you make some resolutions on January 1st?  Have you started on them yet? What things do you plan to accomplish in 2015--more time with friends and family?  Something related to career or hobbies or self-fulfillment?



Elmo the Dog is certainly pursuing his own resolution: staying warm when the wind is howling outside!  :)

Award-winning author Roxanne Rustand has written over thirty-five titles for Harlequin's Superromance, Heartwarming, Everlasting, Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines. She self published three novels last year, and her A Scottish Christmas novella was part of the USA Today Bestselling anthology,  Sweet Christmas Kisses.

She is currently starting a three-book contract for Love Inspired and also continuing her self-published projects.

Romance Author DIY by Melinda Curtis

Back in June, Mr. Curtis and I decided to renovate our hall bathroom. We meant to finish before our daughter brought home her college boy friend for 4th of July. Ahem. Didn't happen. We meant to finish before the end of summer. Ahem. Didn't happen. Why? Because our son bought a fixer-upper and isn't it always more fun to work on someone else's house than your own?

Here are the things we need to do to complete our bathroom:

1. Remove wallpaper strip
2. Patch and texture walls
3. Paint walls
4. Install countertop, sink, and faucet

I have to say that I've tried to remove the wallpaper strip around the top of the bathroom. I remember putting up that strip when we first moved in nearly 25 years ago. I told Mr. Curtis I was gluing it down "right" so it would never steam off while the kids were showering. How "right" I was! I've been banned from the chore of stripping the wallpaper from the walls and here's why: I took the texture off the wall with it.  As for the second item on the to-do list, Mr. Curtis is the drywall/texture specialist in the household. This skill does not fall in my wheelhouse (and I did not make that big hole).

Those paying attention in the previous paragraph might note that items #1 & #2 must be done by Mr. Curtis...I can paint like nobody's business, but am not allowed to paint over wallpaper or untextured/unpatched walls. So #3 is a waiting game.

I have bids for item #4. I even picked out the countertop slab.

So, dear readers, how do you propose I motivate Mr. Curtis to finish up items #1 & #2, such that we have a usable guest bathroom for Thanksgiving?

Anyone? Anyone? Buehller? 

When not watching DIY shows or doing DIY projects, USA Today bestselling author Melinda Curtis can be found writing. Her latest release is a sweet romance set in fictional Christmas Town, Maine, where local legend has it that a kiss on December 24 under the mistletoe in the town square gazebo leads to wedding bells in the new year. Christmas, Actually is three sweet novellas about the three Banning siblings and their journey to that longed-for gazebo kiss.

In Honor of Fathers by Melinda Curtis

Father's Day is this weekend. Dads are special, aren't they? They usually know which tool to use for the job. They can usually start up that lawn mower with ease. And they happily sit eating sunflower seeds while watching kids play sports, helping build bird houses at scouts, telling kids not to poke their fingers in light sockets (which they, of course, immediately do). Dads deserve a day of honor.

When my kids were younger, they'd ask their dad what he wanted for Father's Day. You could bet it was one of two things - either a movie or a round of golf. Being the good mama I am, I made sure he taught all three kids how to golf (so they could go along and spend time together). Golf is one thing I never did learn, despite my many invitations to do so...ahem.

So, here comes Father's Day. Yep, it's that time of year again.

I've always wondered who decided this U.S. holiday should be in June. Why? Because summer is the time for gardening, for house maintenance, for driving to see my in-laws, and...OK, maybe those happen year round.  As a wife and mother (and being a practical wife and mother), I'd rather see Father's Day mid-winter.  Perhaps during Superbowl weekend or the first Sunday in January. Anytime when I'm not feeling as if there's a list of things to be done around the house. Weekends are only two days, people. Maybe Father's Day should be during the week. Wednesday works for me.

Now, it may sound as if I resent Mr. Curtis having his day in the sun. I don't. I just wish it came at my convenience. But I won't complain. I'll give my man his special day. Our kids are all away at college, so his celebration falls on me. I will give him all the honor he's due. It'll be his day. We can do anything he wants.

Hhmmm. What will it be this year, honey? Golf or the movies?

LOL. I hope you enjoyed my light take on Father's Day. I'd love to hear what special celebration you have planned in honor of the dads in your life.

Melinda Curtis writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet romances for the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”.  Melinda also writes hotter romances as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood's Golden Age except a lot hotter.”  Melinda is married to her college sweetheart, and has three kids in college.  She follows the NFL because one young quarterback is from her hometown, and follows Duke basketball because Mr. Curtis has a man crush on Coach K.  Her latest release, Season of Change, is the 3rd book in her popular Harmony Valley series and features a dad and his twin girls.

Wine is Easy (honest) by Melinda Curtis

There are many things in life that intimidate me – modern car engines, tax forms, computer viruses.  But not wine.  Yes, I’m from California.  Yes, I've worked at a winery.  Yes, I’ve earned a certificate from the prestigious UC Davis wine appreciation program.  But learning all the complexities is like learning a foreign language – if you don’t use it, you lose it.  I admit: I’ve forgotten more about wine than I’ve retained.  And so, when people turn to me for advice about what wine to order, I developed a bit of shorthand.

Do you ever drink wine or spirits?  If spirits, are you a mixed drink or straight person?  Do you drink black coffee or lattes?  Do you drink full-sugar soda or diet?  Orange juice, cranberry juice, or grapefruit juice?  Prefer chocolate for dessert or fresh fruit?  Season your steak with salt/pepper, a combination of dry seasonings, or a creamy sauce?

You don’t need answers to all the questions, just a starting point, a hint, a clue.  And you don’t need to follow the “wine rules” (red with red meat, white with fish/poultry).  That’s old school.  My cheat sheet is below.  My caveat: this is a system that works for me.  You might have different preferences and that’s okay, too.

If I’m with people who don’t normally drink wine, I veer toward white wine, usually something lighter, like a Sauvignon Blanc.  These wines – especially the ones from New Zealand – are very soft and subtle and generally please everyone.  Sauvignon Blancs from California tend to have a hint of grapefruit.  If you’ve got full-sugar soda or orange/cranberry juice drinkers, try a Riesling or a Moscato – although these aren’t what I’d recommend drinking with your main course, as they’re rather sweet.  If someone likes lattes or chocolate, a “rich, full-bodied” Chardonnay would be good (stay away from “oaky” Chards for this type of drinker).  One warning about Chardonnays: they come in more flavor variation than jelly beans – never assume if you like one Chard, you’ll like another.  Finally, if you have a mixed bag of flavors being mentioned in your group, try a white wine blend.  These are usually lighter in body and flavor, blended to please a broader spectrum of wine drinkers.  Some have a hint of sweetness, some a hint of brown spice or floral notes, so they aren’t boring.

If I’m with wine drinkers, I’ll veer toward red wine.  Merlot is something I choose for people who like creamy sauces and is safe for a mix of wine appreciation levels (hard to screw up and not a wine with tons of different flavors at affordable levels).  If people like black pepper and strong spices, I might choose a Syrah or Chianti.  If chocolate or lattes came up, I might choose a Pinot Noir, but one from a drier climate (Oregon Pinots taste softer to me).  If there were preferences for fruit for dessert, I might choose a Zinfandel or a Shiraz.  I’ll choose a Cabernet Sauvignon if people like strong flavors (black coffee, pepper, straight spirits) and there is red meat coming to the table (probably the only wine type that I consider doesn’t go well with white meat or fish – but that’s just me).  Remember how I compared Chards to jelly beans?  Same applies to Cabs – lots of styles and flavors, therefore harder to pick one that pleases a variety of palates.

Wine is a lot like the different coffee drinks available at Starbucks.  You can get a plain, but good, cup of coffee, add different tastes to that cup (shake some cinnamon on top, add creamy whip, etc.), or have the coffee be a complement to heavier flavors (chocolate, caramel, etc.).  It fits your mood and your taste buds.  Wine does the same thing. Selecting a wine is a little adventure and when you ask people for their preferences, they become vested in that adventure with you (and therefore the adventure’s success isn’t all on your shoulders).  If you’re nervous about making a decision, you can always ask for a taste of something to see if you like it before you commit.  Have fun!

Melinda Curtis writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet romances set in a small town winery for the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”.  Melinda also writes independently published, hotter romances as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood's Golden Age except a lot hotter.”  Melinda is married to her college sweetheart, and has three kids in college.  She follows the NFL because one young quarterback is from her hometown, and follows Duke basketball because Mr. Curtis has a man crush on Coach K.  Her latest release is Season of Change.  You can learn more about her books at www.MelindaCurtis.net.