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Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from N.Y. Dunlap’s ebook, The Misadventures of Itchy Izzy: A Second Chance Christian Romance. (Nicole is offering a chance to win a free ebook. Read on!)

In this excerpt of The Misadventures of Itchy Izzy, Isabelle grapples with the aftermath of her family’s unexpected disagreement over her mother’s funeral arrangements. Reunited with her childhood best friend Peter, they are busy making empanadas during the chat. Or rather, she’s taking her anger out on dough and he’s being incredibly supportive.

Here’s the Scene:

Isabelle gave Peter a high-five, walking toward the counter with a big ceramic bowl. They couldn’t have consciously coordinated it any better. Peter’s heart practically had wings now.

He dug around the cupboard and pulled out an old tin colander. “So, Sofia.”

“This morning, Dad and Aunt Sofia were arguing. I’m not sure how I found my way in the middle of it.” Isabelle shoved a few fingers into her glossy, dark hair while summarizing the dispute.

“Why not have both your Sofia’s funeral and Vincent’s requested cremation?” he suggested. “Coupling your aunt’s traditional with your dad’s newer practices. I don’t see how things could get worse. Compromise is the key.”

“I’d love to believe Sofia wanted to negotiate. She just returned from Barcelona. Had a mission to speak with the priest.” Isabelle nibbled her lip as she poured flour and butter into a bowl, not measuring any ingredients. Her movements were those of someone comfortable and practiced in the kitchen. “It’s Sofia’s way or her wrath.”

Peter grinned. Sofia had many qualities. She could’ve auditioned for a Golden Girls spinoff. She barked and boasted a vicious bite. “I see, Izzy. Before things get around to Vincent’s ideas, your mom, Maria, would be at the de Leon plot in Spain. I remember when we went that one time. The de Leon twins introduced us to a long line of family there. I understand that Sofia wants a place to take flowers. Be able to visit Maria. Talk to her and keep her in memory.”

“That’s most likely her plan for my mom. Dad would be ruthless enough to sue her for kidnapping a coffin. She’d be the oldest person in prison.” Isabelle scoffed.

“She might not go to jail, though. Sofia de Leon appears harmless. Soon as the cops cuffed her there’d be public backlash. Oh, and a Go Fund Me.”

“Hmmm, I see it now.” Isabelle’s hands vigorously worked as she combined ingredients for the dough. “I’d be head of her get out of jail free campaign.”

“You always had a way with words,” Peter added, finding it hard to keep his eyes from a woman whose happiness suddenly meant more than his own. He hoped Isabelle hadn’t noticed the feelings swimming in his eyes. After such heartbreak, his only expectation, or hope rather, was her happiness. He would do anything to help her find peace, whether she loved him back or not. He cleared his throat, returning to the conversation. “It would have to be elaborate like your adventure stories.”

“I’d have to write a unique pitch for her petition, gather all the right photos. And all at the expense of further alienating my father.” Isabelle snickered, slamming her fist into the mound and kneading it with all her might. “Even though Sofia is a cute little old lady, she kind of wouldn’t deserve the help.”

Peter leaned against the counter now. A smallest smile at the borders of his mouth as he watched her bash the dough.

Author Nicole Dunlap says, to avoid Izzy-level frustration (LOL), these easy beef empanadas are created with store-bought dough.

                                                  Beef Empanadas

For the recipe click here.

For additional recipes on this blog, click here.

More About The Misadventures of Itchy Izzy:

Following her mother’s death, financial analyst Isabelle Chevalier struggles with depression and finds herself at a crossroads. With purpose slipping through her fingers, her mundane life takes an exhilarating turn when childhood best friend Peter unexpectedly reenters her world. As a way to cope with her emotions, Isabelle works to revive their friendship. She pours her heart into her connection with Peter, unknowingly causing a chain of mishaps. Can she navigate the jagged edges of love and loss, or will her quest for passion lead to more hilariously disastrous misadventures?

Free eBook Opportunity:

Comment below with your favorite Spanish dish or a dish you’d like to try. One commentor will receive a free ebook. The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.

About the Author:

N. Y. Dunlap is an emerging Christian romance novelist who loves to string together words in a creative, poignant way. God called, and she listened. You can expect to read romantic stories that abide by faith, hope, and love.

Nicole graduated with a master’s in educational counseling from Azusa Pacific University where the motto, “God first,” encouraged her to work with inner-city youth and their families.

Nicole lives in sunny California with her husband and three children. Please consider joining her newsletter.

TO JOIN SALLY JO’S NEWS AND RECEIVE A FREE SHORT STORY & SPECIAL COOKBOOK CLICK HERE. 

The winner of Zoe McCarthy’s Adjacent on the Lake is

              Wenonah H.

Congratulations, Wenonah. 

For more books and food scenes, click here.

For more recipes inspired by novels, click here. 

Visit me again as I Investigate Foods Used in Novels!

Blessings, 

Sally Jo

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from Zoe M. McCarthy’s novel, Adjacent on the Lake—A Hidden Valley Lake Book. (Zoe is offering a chance to win a free ebook. Read on!)

Heroine, Rachel Bradbury learns to make Irish Soda Bread from her new Irishman neighbor Michael Doyle’s grandad, Harry.   

Here’s the Scene:

Before Rachel and Harry tackled the soda bread recipe, Rachel helped him get the stew simmering on the stove. She jotted notes for preparing the stew below the directions for baking soda bread and looked forward to giving her friends loaves made from the new recipe.

Harry emptied the plastic shopping bags of nonperishable items Michael had brought from the grocery store. “Since we don’t have an iron skillet, we’ll bake the bread in the oven.” He inspected the ingredients on the counter, then looked inside the empty plastic bag and a few of the cupboards. “Where are the raisins? Soda bread in my kitchen must contain raisins.” He grabbed his cane leaning against a kitchen chair and headed for the foyer. He veered into the living room and peered through the front window. “The boyo isn’t outside. Where is he? Michael!”

Rachel wandered just outside the kitchen. Harry raised his head toward the upstairs railing.

“Michael!”

Michael came to the railing overlooking the foyer. “What’re you givin’ out about?”

“Where are the raisins for the soda bread?”

Rachel moved closer.

Michael dug into his jeans pocket. “Raisins weren’t on your list.”

“I must have included them in the messages.”

Michael let the folded list drop over the railing. “Check it yourself.” He turned and strode toward the room at the end of the hall—Olivia’s old room.

Harry caught and fumbled the paper. He leaned his cane against his hip, unfolded the page, and scanned the list. He dropped his hand holding the paper to his side and turned toward the kitchen. When he saw Rachel, he shook his head. “We won’t be bakin’ or enjoyin’ soda bread with our tae. So it is.”

Rachel snapped her fingers. “I may have a solution. I don’t have raisins at home, but I do have sweetened dried cranberries.”

Harry pursed his lips, then his face brightened. “That would work!”

Within minutes, Rachel returned with the cranberries and breathed in the stew’s heavenly aroma. They stirred and kneaded the dough and placed it in the baking pan, then slid the pan into the oven.

                                          Irish Soda Bread

Harry says this bread is sooo good and Zoe shares this Irish Soda Bread recipe that she adapted from Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread recipe at sallysbakingaddiction.

For the recipe click here.

For additional recipes on this blog, click here.

More About Adjacent on the Lake:

Why has the attractive yet unpleasant Irishman uprooted his grandad from Ireland and moved them to “Obscure Community,” USA?

Irishman Michael Doyle has a lot on his shoulders: settlin’ Grandad into their new gaff on the lake; convincin’ the auld man to stick to their story script; and avoidin’ their wee next-door-neighbor, Ms. Bradbury.

Rachel Bradbury, a widow of six years, is a levelheaded bank manager in Hidden Valley. She’s counseled her widowed friends during their dating-again troubles, but she’s clueless how to escape her own current funk. Time is running out to start a family. Dating distresses her, and prospects are few.

Michael’s delightful grandfather, Harry, is the perfect remedy for Rachel’s slump. Like Harry, she’s hooked on movies—her mainstay during chronic insomnia. And their mutual love for baking will allow her to collect his Irish recipes.

Now, Michael’s in bits. Grandad has invited Ms. Bradbury to watch old movies in their sittin’ room. It may help the auld man cope with leavin’ Ireland, but it poses a risk to their current situation.

While stuffed-shirt Michael monitors Rachel and Grandad’s friendship, Rachel is suspicious about Michael’s motives for moving to Hidden Valley. Can their future relationship hold anything other than aloof tolerance?

Free eBook Opportunity:

In the comments below, share the favorite country (besides the U.S.) you have visited or would like to visit.

(Offering a free ebook of Adjacent on the Lake  to one lucky commentor. The book is also available on KindleUnlimited.)

About the author:

Zoe M. McCarthy was pegged an expressive analytic in a personality test. Isn’t that an oxymoron? But it’s true. Zoe couldn’t survive without expressing her creative imaginings. Yet, this retired actuary* and introvert receives her energy from being alone in her home overlooking a lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Believing opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences Her ten romances involve tenderness and humor. Her two books of Christian allegories are quirky and to the point. She also has a book on writing, Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days. Zoe the introvert, a grandmother of seven, enjoys spending time on the lake, leading Bible studies, and writing in her cabin—alone.

 *Actuaries perform all the mathematical analysis for insurance companies, pricing products and estimating reserves to pay claims.