Archive for the ‘Food and Drink’ Category

Donut Day

Jun 14th 2011
Posted by Susan

It’s a big event.

 

See, we have this little donut shop in our town. It’s called the World’s Best Donuts. Because…it is.

 

The secret of their success is that they are only open in the summertime. From May to September. It’s a long, cold winter and about the end of April, people start doing drive-bys, and the buzz begins…”Do you know when the donut shop is opening?”

 

Usually, they open right before Memorial Day, and on the first day, they give out free donuts.

 

Free.

 

It’s a perfect marketing ploy because right then, you realize what you’ve missed for the last six months. You wonder just how you’ve lived without them. And you make a silent pledge to yourself not allow one day to pass without sneaking in and picking up an 85 cent donut.

 

So far, it’s working.

 

I love World’s Best Donuts so much that I put the cute little shop in my recent book, My Foolish Heart. I gave the donut shop to a cute girl named Lucy and threw in some fictionalized local drama, including her old flame returing to town to help save the donut shop from ruin. (egads!) It’s a fun, lighthearted, and romantic subplot that gives readers a hint of life in Deep Haven.

 

To add to the fun, I decided to document our First Day of Donuts this season. My son put together this little video. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Sadly, they don’t ship, but you can get a gift certificate. (which means you’d have to visit the lovely town of…um, Deep Haven! ). http://www.worldsbestdonutsmn.com

 

Off to get my daily donut! (I only have 103 days left until they close for winter, sheesh.)

 

Have a great donut day!

 

Susie May

 

PS – if you can’t load the video, here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er_sZzjyoCg

PSS – If you want to watch a video of the REAL World’s Best Donuts… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9Y_nNyKN5E

And the winner is …

Dec 4th 2009
Posted by Susan

Holly O.! (her recipe and story are below)Button

Congrats – you've won a soup and cookie basket from Harry & David. Thank you so much for submitting a recipe to The Great Christmas Bowl Recipe Exchange contest during the book's blog tour!

And speaking of recipes – be sure to stop by and pick up a copy of the The Great Christmas Bowl cook book for yourself. The cost is $5 and ALL the proceeds will go directly to the Cook County (my community) Food Shelf, and The Grand Marais Salvation Army Service Unit’s “Merry Christmas for all” Outreach Program. It’s a local program for our community of 1300 that helped 55 families last year “multiply the joy of Christmas” by providing food and gifts to the financially challenged.

The book will be available all month long – so tell your friends to swing by and purchase a copy and help spread the joy of the season!

Visit the event page for the Christmas Outreach Tea for a great Christmas playlist, more great recipes and holiday traditions! Oh, and you can pick up a Christmas Bowl Bookplate for your book too!

Holly O. (winner chosen at random from all entrees)

Story: My Grampy always made this dip every Thanksgiving and Christmas. I first tried it when I was 10 or 12 and ever since, it's been my favorite of the dips he made (he also made onion and shrimp dips). Some years it was too runny and we had to lean over the bowl to eat it, some years it wasn't. When I was a senior in college, my parents had recently moved to Florida, and it was to be my first Thanksgiving away from home. I wanted to share a part of my holidays with my friend Lori's family, and I called my Nany and Grampy's to get the recipe. Lori's family loved it; in fact, her mom just couldn't stay away from it and kept telling me so throughout my stay with them. I'm even more thankful that I got the recipe when I did, because my Grampy passed away about 10 days later and this gives me a connection to him even though he's gone. I make it for the holidays here in Florida, and it's become my signature recipe.

Recipe: Grampy's Clam Dip
2 8oz packages of cream cheese (I use 1/3 less fat, but the choice is yours)
2 cans of clams (1 chopped 1 minced; save the juice)
horseradish and Tabasco to taste

Let cream cheese soften to room temperature, add clam juice to thin the cream cheese out. Start slowly, you can always add more, but you cannot thicken a too thin dip! Add the clams and mix in. Stir in the Tabasco and horseradish. Again start with a little at a time, you can add more, but too much of either will create a fireball! I like to let the dip sit overnight to let the flavors meld together (do not throw out the remainder of the clam juice, you will need it the following morning!). Before serving, use a bit more of the clam juice to thin the dip. Serve with Triscuits or potato chips.

Don’t miss …

Nov 27th 2009
Posted by Susan

Christmas Outreach Tea on December 5th!

 Christmas Outreach Tea with Susan May Warren on December 5th

Join me for a little pre-Christmas festivities on Facebook! In the tradition of The Great Christmas Bowl I'm hosting an Outreach Christmas Tea on Facebook December 5th! I'll be sharing some of my favorite holiday recipes, Christmas tunes, and chatting with you about your plans for Christmas.

As always, there will be prizes and a sneak peak at my two new books Sons of Thunder and the latest PJ Sugar novel, Double Trouble. And of course outreach! (check out what one TGCB reader was inspired to do! How cool! You can get involved to.)

If you've been following along at The Great Christmas Bowl website – you know about the contest we've been running for the last few months. People have been sharing their favorite recipes and memories and we'll be turning that into a downloadable cookbook that will be available to purchase during the party for $5! (It's not too late to submit your own favorite memories & recipes, go here to do so!) 100% of the money raised will be going to the Cook County (my community) Food Shelf, and The Grand Marais Salvation Army Service Unit's "Merry Christmas for all" Outreach Program. It's a local program for our community of 1300 that helped 55 families last year "multiply the joy of Christmas" by providing food and gifts to the financially challenged.

The cook book will be available all month long – so tell your friends to swing by and purchase a copy and help spread the joy of the season! Hope to see you at the party! Oh, and help us spread the word by inserting this button on your blog or website!  Just email Amy (amy@susanmaywarren.com) and let her know you posted the button and she'll put your name into the hat to win a $20 gift certificate to Amazon!

(just copy the code & insert into your website/blog sidebar)
<a href="http://thegreatchristmasbowl.blogspot.com/2009/07/latest-news-from-big-lake-gazette.html"><img src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd78/rs_designs/christmas-tea-button2.jpg" alt="Christmas Outreach Tea with Susan May Warren on December 5th" title="Christmas Outreach Tea with Susan May Warren on December 5th" width="125" height="240" /></a>

More about the book here!

Listen to an interview here!

See what people are saying here!

A Happy Thanksgiving from My Family to Yours!

Nov 25th 2009
Posted by Susan

Enjoy this yummy recipe!

BAR QUEEN CARAMEL DREAMS
Mix the following:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup melted butter
Mix and press 3/4 of mixture into 9 x 13 pan. Bake this for 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven until caramel mixture is ready.

1 bag individually wrapped kraft caramels. (the unwrapping is a pain, but worth it! Good job for the kids!)
3 tablespoons milk or cream
3 tablespoons butter
Microwave 50 seconds at a time until melted and smooth.  (Some people just use a jar of caramel sauce, but I have never done that!)

Pour melted caramel mixture over baked mixture. Sprinkle with 6 oz bag of chocolate chips. Drop balance of crumb mixture evenly over the top.

Bake another 12 – 14 minutes at 350 degrees.

ENJOY!!!

Have a happy Thanksgiving, all! I'm thankful for you!

They have all the fun when I’m gone.

Nov 20th 2009
Posted by Susan

Seriously.  My husband is a fabulous cook, and it’s our habit for him to take over on the weekends to make such things as Tikka Marsala Chicken, or Pad Thai, or Mongolian Hot Pot. 

Only problem….I often travel on the weekends at speaking events.  Which I love. 

But I love his cooking, too. 

Sometimes he makes something that is SUPER NUMMY….and I’m very sad to be gone. 

Like this past weekend – he pulled out his Russian Recipe book and made a Warren Family Favorite -  Pelmeni.  As Russians say, “You can never have too many pelmeni!”

Think – meat-filled dumplings served with mayonnaise and dill.  Yum-o!  We usually make them on New Year’s Eve, a tradition started when we lived in Russia, by our friend Luda Khakhaleva. 

It’s really not hard. 

First, make the dough:
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
3 whole eggs
¼ c. warm water

Mix the flour and salt, make a little whole in the mix, pour in the scrambled eggs and water. Toss the mixture together then knead it by hand until it holds together.  Form it into a ball and let it stand for an hour. 

Then, take:
1 ½ pounds of ground beef and pork and mix it up.
1 medium onion
1 tsp. salt
Pepper

Grind it all together in a food processor.  It makes what is called…Farsh.  (Roll your R.  See, you’re speaking Russian!)

Now, here comes the fun part:

Ma pa andrew

Roll the dough into a long roll, (think one of those tubes of cookie dough).  Cut about an inch of length, then roll it flat into a circle. 

Ma pa 2

Put a heaping teaspoon of meat into the center.

Ma pa 3

Fold it over, forming a half moon.  

Ma pa 4

Ma pa 5

Let them sit on a floured board (cover them with a cloth so they don’t dry out) while you boil water (throw in a bay leaf, some salt and a blop of cooking oil).  When the water reaches a full boil, throw in the Pelmeni (don’t crowd them, they don’t like it).  They’ll rise to the surface when they’re finished (about 5 minutes).

Ma pa fin

Drain and bathe them in butter (real butter, people).  They’re nummy with just salt and pepper….

Or, like this – drowing in Mayonaise, some dill, and hubby’s favorite – red pepper!
(note:  I never use red pepper. They’re just too delicious to drown the taste with that much heat. Bleck).

Ma pa an st

You can also fry them in butter until they’re golden brown.  Super Num. 

Okay…so while the family was doing this….
Ma pa 1

I was doing this…
Veggies

Hmmm….

Aw, Bob and Larry are fun, too. 
Really. 
*sigh* 

Be Part of The Great Christmas Bowl Exchange!

Nov 7th 2009
Posted by Susan

 ***NEW! Enter to win a YUMMY soup and cookie basket from Harry & David AND an advanced copy of Great christmas bowl my new WWII book, Sons of Thunder by joining the recipe exchange!! Send us your favorite Christmas recipe and a cool story – we'll publish it on The Great Christmas Bowl Website! At the end of the contest we'll be turning entire 'cookbook' into a downloadable pdf!

Go – run, get your recipe, then come back here and click on the link below to share your Christmas memories!

RECIPE EXCHANGE – SUBMIT NOW!

About the Book:
Christmas is a magical season.

Except for this year.

Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. From dressing the tree to her traditional Christmas dinner, it's all about creating memories for her family. But when her children begin to leave home-and their traditions-behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they'll never forget.

Unfortunately, she's soon in over her head, and one impulsive decision leads to a string of events that will change the way her family-even her small Minnesota town-sees the Christmas season.

Heartwarming and hilarious, The Great Christmas Bowl is a story about family, traditions, and rediscovering the real magic of Christmas. Buy a copy here!

What readers are saying!

Oh, ha, ha. Ha, ha, hee… giggle, giggle, snortle. (In case you can't tell, I'm rolling here.) Rule of thumb, if a book makes me snortle, it's a keeper.
~Tina at O Joy of My Life

This is a short, but powerful book. I was traveling and read the whole book while sitting on an airplane. I have to admit I received some strange looks when I was laughing out loud, but the of the book had this mother of teenagers sitting there with tears staining the books pages. The Great Christmas Bowl touched me on so many levels!
~Lori at Laurel's Reflections

This truly was a joy to read.  I could relate to Marianne so well, and I hope I can eventually manage the transition to an empty nest as well as she does.  I wish I had several copies of this book to give away to friends and family … and blog readers!  I might loan my copy to my Mom, but I'm not ready to let go of it … I look forward to reading it again and again.  This is my favorite fiction book for adults that I've read this year!
~April at Busy Hands, Busy Minds, Busy Feet

Football Hands

Oct 30th 2009
Posted by Susan

I’m so sad. High School Football season died on Tuesday night when the #3 seeded team in the state beat us.  That’s all I’m going to say about that because my poor 9th grader (Big #33) who started on VARSITY (yes, VARSITY) had to stay home from school the next day, wrapped in his blankie to weep (in front of the television). 

I’m going to miss football season, the thrill of hearing my son’s name as he bounds into the field.  The joy of seeing him fight his defender. The after game wrap ups where he details for me every play. (really, I know what a 46 sweep is!)

Most of all, I’m going to miss football hands.

Football hands 1

Football hands are fun.  They remind me that boys love dirt and tackling other boys with all their might.  I gave birth to football hands. 

Football hands 2

These are the hands I cook pizza for, and huddle in the snowy stands to watch, and the hands that I’ll miss. 

Until next year. 

I think I’m going to go find my blanket now and weep.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 21st 2007
Posted by Susan

Yes, I’m still alive…just in case you’re all wondering (you’re so sweet!).

Life has been C-R-A-Z-Y! I’ll get to all that eventually…

But today, I just wanted to take a moment and wish you all a warm and filling Thanksgiving. Also, remember (reminder to self) there is much to be said for patience, grace and mercy. I pray you will use them freely. *g*

Also if you’re in for a bit of Thanksgiving Trivia go here and here!

And…for those of you looking for last minute recipes, here is my favorite stuffing recipe!
2 loaves bread – cubed
2 sticks butter – melted
4 stalks celery – chopped fine
1 large onion – chopped fine
4 T. thyme
4 t. salt
1 t. pepper

Melt butter. Mix ingredients, and stuff bird. Can also cook covered in seperate container — 30 min at 350 degrees!

And, lastly…if you’re looking for a mildly entertaining video about turkey’s and President Bush…yep! go here!