Southwestern #Recipe for the #Holidays - Crock Pot Cheese Fondue Dip #partyfood

Photo by EquatorialSky Creative Commons license 

I write novels of adventure and romance set in the Southwestern United States. The novels touch on local culture, including food. For Valley of Gems, I put together a recipe booklet of foods mentioned in the book, including this handy party treat.

Crock Pot Cheese Fondue Dip

1 (10.75 oz) can cheddar cheese soup
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 cup milk
1/4 cup or more green chiles
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. chives
1 Tbsp. garlic

Serve with corn chips, celery sticks, cauliflower, etc.
 

1. Combine all ingredients in a fondue pot or small crock pot.
2. Heat on medium, stirring frequently, until smooth and well blended.
3. Adjust heat to warm and serve in the pot, with chips or veggies on the side. If it starts to get too thick, stir in a little more milk.

For more recipes, click on the “Recipe” label down to the right.)

See the Treasure Hunting Romantic Suspense series page.

Treasure Hunting Romantic Suspense

Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help.

Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge.

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. Go to Kris Bock’s website - Romantic Suspense tab to find a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

The Southwest Romantic Suspense series includes Desert Gold, Valley of Gems, and Silver Canyon.  Each novel stands alone and is complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with light romance in the Southwest. This series was originally published as The Mad Monk’s Treasure, The Dead Man’s Treasure, and The Skeleton Canyon Treasure.

A #Recipe from the Cat Café: Bacon Nut Brittle perfect for #Christmas2022 gifts. Plus enjoy this #Romance series of #ContemporaryRomance #SweetRomance #CleanRomance

See the series with links to all retailers.

My cat café series features a bakery and two fantastic bakers. So of course I must share recipes! The one below is perfect for people who like a little savory with their sweets. It's a nice gift for bacon-lovers who don't need a lot of stuff for the holidays. This will disappear in no time!

Bacon Nut Brittle Recipe

Crunchy, salty, smoky, savory, and sweet. This combination of flavors makes for an unusual treat! You can use whatever nuts you prefer. If someone has nut allergies, use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead (or a vegan "bacon" alternative). If you don't eat pork, skip the bacon and try a mixture of different nuts and seeds to provide a variety of flavors and textures.

1/2 cup bacon crumbles (buy real bacon crumbles, or cook and cool 8 slices of thick cut, smoked bacon)

1/2 cup water

2 cups sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

12 ounces roasted salted cashews

1 teaspoon vanilla

coarse salt

1.  Cook the bacon until crispy, cool, and chop into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch pieces.

2.  Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spray the stirring end of a large, heat-proof spoon as well.

3.  In a large saucepan, combine the following: water, sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Safety Warning: The heated mixture gets very hot and sticky. Do not let it touch your skin!

4.  Attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Cook the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally. Cook to 300°F (adjusted for altitude if necessary), about 10 minutes. The caramel should be the color of a paper bag. Drizzle a bit of caramel from your spoon, and it should spin out a thread.

5.  Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully stir in the baking soda. This will cause the mixture to bubble.

6.  Stir in the nuts, vanilla, and bacon.

7.  Immediately pour the brittle onto the baking sheet. Use the back of the spoon to spread the brittle into a thin, even layer.

8.  Sprinkle with the coarse salt. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.

9.  Break the brittle into large shards. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month.

Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance

What do you do when you meet the guy of your dreams? Set him up with your sister, of course.

Kari doesn't have time for love when she's opening her new cat café. Renovating an old restaurant, hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats – keeps her plenty busy. She's doing this for the cats, the community, and most of all her family. The café will give her sister, Marley, a job worthy of her baking skills.

Then a tattooed military veteran wanders in claiming to be a master baker himself. The café doesn't need another baker, but maybe Marley needs a man. Surely she'll fall for a guy this sweet, this sexy, this tasty.

Colin has other ideas. It's Kari who makes him want to pour on the sugar and turn up the heat. But he's spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he really ready for a relationship? He's not even sure he should commit to Samson, the fluffy marshmallow of a cat who steals his heart.

Visit the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series on Amazon US or Amazon UK or see the series with links to all retailers.

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. 

The Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series

In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a billion-dollar lottery. They’re advised to go into hiding, but they have animals needing care. They'll have to stay and fend off envious friends, scammers, and fortune hunters. Can they build new dreams and find love amidst the chaos?

The Accidental Detective mystery series

In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Get a free cat café novella, mystery stories, and more when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Find Kris:
Website
Blog
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TikTok
Facebook
Pinterest
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

Bob’s Chicken Enchilada Casserole #Recipe - #Cooking for Cowboys (or tenderfoots too) #BookTwitter

When a Texas ranching family wins a billion-dollar lottery, they're overwhelmed. The standard advice is to go into hiding, but how can they when they have animals needing care? They'll have to stay and fend off envious friends, scammers, and fortune hunters. Can they build new dreams and find love amidst the chaos?

Find the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series in print or ebook at Amazon US, Amazon UK, B&N/Nook or Kobo.

In my cowboy romance series, the Texas ranching family loves a hearty meal with a southwestern flare. But anyone can enjoy this tasty enchilada casserole!

Bob’s Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 medium-sized yellow onion, finely chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 habanero chile, finely chopped

Olive oil for cooking

1 quart chicken broth

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 pound green chile, roasted, peeled, chopped

About 24 corn tortillas

1 pound Colby cheese, shredded

1 pound Jack cheese, shredded

1. Lightly brown onion, garlic, and habanero in olive oil.
2. Add broth and poach chicken until well done. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
3. Shred chicken and put back in broth. Add green chile and cook on low heat for about 15 minutes.
4. Prepare tortillas by quickly immersing them in hot olive oil for 10-15 seconds each, until limp.
5. Line the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking pan with a layer of prepared tortillas, overlapping.
6. Add a layer of chicken and chile with a slotted spoon to limit the amount of liquid.
7. Add a layer of cheese. Repeat layering until the stuff is used up.
8. Bake at 350°F until bubbling and cheese is browning, about 30-40 minutes.

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona. Get a free cat café novella, mystery stories, and more when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter.
 
Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers.
 

Find Kris:
Website
Blog
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Pinterest
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

Huevos Rancheros: A #recipe to #cook for your favorite cowboy when #cooking breakfast or any time!

In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys sweet romance series, a Texas ranching family struggles to maintain their privacy and work ethic after an enormous lottery win. Can they build new dreams and find love amidst the chaos?

Ranchers need hearty breakfasts to tackle all the ranch chores. This will fill up a hungry cowboy, but the rest of us can enjoy it too.

Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros by Elchavobee

Creative Commons License

serves 4-6 (or two cowboys)

One bag frozen, shredded hash browns (about 1/2 cup per person)

8-12 corn tortillas (2 per person)

One can refried beans

Shredded or sliced cheddar (about 1/4 cup per person)

4-6 eggs (2 per person)

One bottle or can of enchilada sauce (available in the Mexican section of most groceries)

1. Sauté the hash browns in a little oil until nicely cooked. Set aside.
2. Lightly brush a skillet with oil. Fry the tortillas until warm and turning golden, 30-60 seconds per side.
3. Place the tortillas in stacks of two on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Spread refried beans over the top tortilla in each pair.
4. Divide the hash browns among the servings, spreading them on top of the beans.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheese or lay a slice of cheese on each serving.
6. Put the baking sheet in a toaster oven or oven at about 300°, so the beans heat and the cheese melts.
7. Meanwhile, fry the eggs to the hardness of your choosing. Warm the enchilada sauce on the stove or in the microwave.
8. Move the tortillas to individual plates. Add two eggs to the top of each. Pour enchilada sauce over it all. Serve immediately.

Heuvos Rancheros by Plateoftheday

Creative Commons License

Options:

• For a lower-calorie version, use only one tortilla and one egg, and eliminate the hash browns.
• Try whole pinto beans or black beans instead of refried beans. Experiment with different cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or queso fresco.
• Use green chile sauce, salsa, or hot sauce instead of, or in addition to, enchilada sauce.
• Use fresh or canned tomatoes, chopped avocado, jalapenos, diced yellow onion, lettuce, or cilantro to garnish.

I also write novels of adventure and romance set in the Southwestern United States. The novels touch on local culture, including food. For a romantic suspense novel, The Dead Man’s Treasure, I put together a recipe booklet of foods mentioned in the book, including this delightful breakfast (or any time of day) classic. Get Valley of Gems Bonus Material: Download a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book from my website.

Valley of Gems: Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. 

Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help, in the form of a green-eyed charmer determined to show her that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge. In a frantic race across New Mexico, Rebecca will have to ignore caution in a defiant bid for victory. If she fails, she could lose everything.

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. 

The Southwest Romantic Suspense series includes Desert Gold, Valley of Gems, and Silver Canyon.  Each novel stands alone and is complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with light romance in the Southwest. This book was originally published as The Dead Man’s Treasure.

Award-winning author Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her other Southwestern romantic suspense novels include Whispers in the Dark, Counterfeits, and What We Found. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Learn more at www.krisbock.com.

This series was originally published as The Mad Monk’s Treasure, The Dead Man’s Treasure, and The Skeleton Canyon Treasure.

Kris Bock’s Amazon page

Kris Bock website

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get a free 30-page story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels, and a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material

Peanut Butter Fudge #Holiday #Recipe Plus the Easiest Fudge Ever, perfect for #Christmas2022 gifts. Then enjoy this #Romance series of #ContemporaryRomance #SweetRomance #CleanRomance

This peanut butter fudge is amazingly simple and always a hit. You can use water instead of milk to make it dairy-free. (Some marshmallows are vegan and others aren't – check the label.)

Peanut Butter Fudge

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/2  cup milk

10 large marshmallows

1 cup peanut butter

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

Mix sugar, butter/margarine and milk in pot. Bring to a boil. Cook 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat. 

Stir in the marshmallows. Stir well until they combine. If necessary, turn the heat on low for a minute to help them dissolve.

Blend in the peanut butter and vanilla. Pour into a buttered eight by eight inch pan and cool.

While I'm at it, here is the easiest ever fudge recipe. To think I used to stand by the stove for an hour, with a candy thermometer.

Easy Fudge

1 bag chocolate chips (best quality)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix chips and condensed milk in a 9 by 13 inch glass casserole dish. Microwave 2 minutes. Add vanilla and stir to combine. Let set several hours.

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona. Get a free cat café novella, mystery stories, and more when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter. 

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Find Kris:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Pinterest
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

Chai Tea Shortbread #Cookie - a #Holiday #Recipe from the Cat Café sweet #romance #ContemporaryRomance #BookTwitter #BookBuzz

My Furrever Friends Cat Café sweet romance series is set around a cat café. (Cat cafés are crosses between coffee shops and pet adoption centers. Learn more about cat cafés here.)

Since the series  involves a café, I mention delectable baked goods and include a recipe at the end of each book. Here's one from the free novella, Lions and Love at the Cat Café. This sweet romance story, complete at 35 pages, is free as a PDF, MOBI (Kindle), or ePub when you sign up for the Kris Bock email newsletter.

If you prefer not to sign up for the newsletter, Lions and Love at the Cat Café is also on sale for 99 cents. Find it on Kris Bock’s Amazon US page or Amazon UK page - free in Kindle Unlimited! 

Chai Tea Shortbread Cookies

If using loose-leaf tea, grind the tea into a rough powder first. If using tea bags, cut open the tea bags (4-6) and measure. Tea bags usually have a more powdered mix, so you don't have to grind it. Mix the ingredients in a food processor for ease. You can also press the dough into a shortbread pan and bake for about 30 minutes

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons chai tea (ground fine)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Blend the flour, sugar, chai, and salt.

Mix in the butter and vanilla. Press the mixture into a ball of dough.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/3-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter and place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking sheets. Bake until the edges are golden, 8-12 minutes depending on size. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks and cool to room temperature.

You can also get 22 of the recipes mentioned in the novella and books 1, 2, and 3 with newsletter signup.

The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series by Kris Bock features the workers and customers at a small-town cat café, and the adorable cats and kittens looking for their forever homes. Each book is a complete story with a happy ending for one couple (and maybe more than one rescued cat). These sweet romances will leave you with the warm, fuzzy feeling of cuddling a purring cat.

Christmas Cookies at the Cat Café: Christmas isn’t the same since Diane’s kids grew up and her husband died – so when her high school sweetheart comes back to town, maybe it’s time for some cozy new holiday traditions.

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona. Get a free cat café novella, mystery stories, and more when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter. 

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Find Kris:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Pinterest
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

A #Recipe from the Cat Café: Thumbprint #Cookies Plus enjoy this #Romance series of #ContemporaryRomance #SweetRomance #CleanRomance

Christmas Cookies at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance is only $2.99!

Since I'm writing about a café, of course I mention recipes. Here's a favorite. These cookies are easy to make, look pretty, and people adore them (perfect if you're making holiday gift packs of goodies). Since you add the toppings after baking, you can easily do several varieties – I like lemon curd or lime curd, jam, and ginger spread.

Baked cookies with lime curd and apricot jam

Thumbprint Cookies

These pretty cookies are perfect for a party. Get several different types of jam in bright colors. What else could you use in place of jam? How about a small square of cream cheese or a small piece of soft caramel candy? Or try a few chocolate chips for chocolate thumbprints.

You can even press a chocolate kiss or miniature peanut butter cup into the cookie. In that case, bake the cookies 10 to 12 minutes first, until they are done. Once you add the candy, do not bake them anymore.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 ounces jam, any flavor

•     Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a cookie sheet, or use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
•     Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium-high speed.
•        Separate the egg yolk from the white. Reserve the egg white for another use. Beat the egg yolk and vanilla extract into the batter. Add the flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together in a ball.
•     Scoop up spoonfuls of dough and form them into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on the cookie sheet at least two inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your thumb or the back of a small spoon. You want an indentation in the center, like a little bowl.
•     Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until bottoms barely start to turn golden. Remove the baking sheet from oven.
•     Use the back of a spoon to press the indentations in a little more. Fill each one with about 1/2 teaspoon jam. Bake for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, so the jam or chocolate melts slightly and the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden.
•     Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.

Tip: Use two spoons for the jam. Scoop the jam with one spoon. Then use the back of the other spoon to slide the jam onto the cookie.

Christmas Cookies at the Cat Café

Diane had a great marriage and a wonderful life raising two daughters and a grandson. Now she’s 53 and a widow. Her grown children are encouraging her to do less – but she wants more.

Rick loved Diane in high school, but he traveled the world while she settled down with another man. Now he’s back, but not to stay.

Rick temps Diane to quit her job, sell her house, and travel, but she can’t leave the family that might still need her. Diane tempts Rick to quit his wandering ways, but he can’t replace her husband. As the weeks pass from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the holiday season brings out complicated emotions.

Can Diane and Rick find a way to make a new life together while holding onto the best parts of the past? They'll need more than attraction and affection. They might even need a Christmas miracle.

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.

Visit the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series page on Amazon US or Amazon UK. (For other countries click here.)

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona. Get a free cat café novella, mystery stories, and more when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Find Kris:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Pinterest
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page