Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Friday, June 21, 2013

A Summer Solstice Supper and Book Buffet



(RECIPE FOR HAWAIIAN SWEET N SOUR MEATBALLS LISTED BELOW)
 
How about a menu of summer food and fabulous summer reads? Some author friends and I are sharing our favorite dishes, and we’ve posted the recipes on our individual blogs so you can give them a try. As an added bonus, while the food is simmering, you can lose yourself in a great book like my romantic suspense, RAIN IS A LOVE SONG.


 
ONE LUCKY COMMENTER WILL RECIEVE A FREE COPY!
 

We offer a variety of flavors to satisfy your taste buds and your reading tastes. You'll find a few non-fiction reads in addition to romance in sub-genres from historical to erotica to paranormal to romantic suspense and also young adult.
 
Check out the menu and click on each book title so you can see what all of our authors have cooking…both in the kitchen and on your Kindle, Nook, or whatever reading device you favor.
For an entire list of ingredients and an entire list of our books, you can visit:

MENU

Cocktails

Blackberry Gin and Tonic by J.K. O'Hanlon -Three Ingredient Cocktails ~ www.thirstyjane.com

Pomegranate Martini by Kathy L Wheeler - Quotable ~ http://kathylwheeler.com

Appetizers

Japanese Chicken Wings by Jan Morrill -The Red Kimono ~ www.TheRedKimono.com

Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs by Vonnie Davis - Rain Is A Love Song ~ http://www.vintagevonnie.blogspot.com

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms by Alicia Dean - Liberty Awakened (Isle of Fangs, Book 1) ~ http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/
 
 Salads

7 Layer Salad by AJ Nuest - She's Got Dibs ~ http://ajbooks.blogspot.com/

Mandarin orange & spinach salad by Barbara Barrett - And He Cooks Too ~ www.barbarabarrettbooks.com
 
Entrées

Pesto Chicken by Nancy Parra - Gluten for Punishment ~ www.nancyjparra.blogspot.com

Taquitos by Calisa Rhose - Risk Factors ~ http://calisarhose.com/chit-chat/

Linda's Summer Shrimp Boil by Linda Joyce - Bayou Born ~ http://lindajoycecontemplates.wordpress.com/

Oven Fried peach chicken Juli D. Revezzo - The Artist's Inheritance ~ http://julidrevezzo.com/blog/

Betty’s Nutty Pork Chops by Betty Bolte - Hometown Heroines ~ www.bettybolte.com/blog.htm

Desserts

Kolaches by Gina Hooten Popp - The Storm After ~ https://www.facebook.com/ginahootenpoppauthor

Chocolate-Cherry-Coconut Cupcakes by Luna Zega - Tokyo Tease ~ http://lunazega.com/cupcakes.html

Fruit Compote by Brenda Sparks - A Midsummer Night's Demon ~ http://www.brenda-sparks.com/blog.html
 
 After Dinner Drinks

After Dinner Iced Coffee by Sandra Sookoo - Winging It ~ http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/
 
 

HAWAIIAN SWEET-N-SOUR MEATBALLS are great to carry to a party in a crockpot as a appetizer or serve over a bed of rice for a supper at home. Since you'll be buying the meatballs already made, this is an easy-peasy recipe rich with a variety of flavors.

    1 package of frozen, pre-cooked Italian meatballs—approx. 76 per bag. I like to bake them on a foil-lined pan in a 350 degree oven for 20 min. to bake out any fat. Spoon baked meatballs into your crockpot.
    Then add 1 large green and red pepper, cut into chunks, plus 1 large onion chopped into chunks.
    1 large can of pineapple chunks plus the juice.
    1 bag of baby carrots sliced into thirds or quarters, depending on length.
    1 can of sliced chestnuts, drained.
    ½ C. brown sugar
    2 small bottles (8-10 oz.) of Sweet and Sour Sauce
    Add the following seasonings to taste: garlic powder, Worchestershire sauce, pepper and Mrs. Dash.
** Cook on LOW setting of crockpot for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
** When half of the cooking time has passed, add one orange, lemon and lime, sliced and halved as you would for garnish on a drink.
 

 

What should be a wonderful trip to Paris turns menacing when Gwen Morningstar’s daughter is kidnapped by The Red Hand terrorist group. Fortunately, Jean-Luc LeFevre of France’s Counterterrorism Unit is there to rescue her little girl. Gwen is grateful, but her need to apprehend the abductors must override any desire she feels for the handsome agent with his own brand of justice…and danger.
 

Jean-Luc is not pleased when Gwen, a crime scene photographer with just enough training to get them killed, is assigned to work with him. Not only does she take too many risks, she drives him to distraction.
  

As Gwen and Jean-Luc track the terrorists, their feelings for each other grow as fast as the danger. Jean-Luc is determined to protect Gwen and her daughter, but the sinister grasp of The Red Hand is strong and far-reaching. It will take more than love to keep them all safe.
 
 
EXCERPT:
A shudder went through Gwen in response to the tone of his voice. Oh, hell, why did she feel like she just nudged awake some sleeping beast? She swallowed and was sure the sound reverberated in the room. Her police training taught her one thing:  never show fear. She tossed her hair back and met him stare for stare. “I can handle whatever you’ve got, big guy.”
Jean-Luc stepped between her legs and splayed his fingers into her hair. “Let’s just see, shall we?” Was he asking her or himself? “You want to play ‘Fanny Flirtatious’ with me? For once and for all, let’s see if you’ve got what it takes to back up your words.”
Her system did its twitchy thing. Was he really going to kiss her? Suddenly her nerves jumped from eager anticipation to dread, hopping from yay, he’s going to kiss me to oh damn, me and my big mouth.
“Look at me.”
As if she could look anywhere else.
His head lowered one fraction of an inch at a time as if to prolong the suspense of the moment. All the while his dark eyes remained locked on hers. Tension coiled in the pit of her stomach. She waited—and waited. Finally, his warm lips made contact.
Oh. My. God.
 

17 comments:

Luna said...

Your recipe looks delish! Can't wait to try it and naturally, I'll need to read your book while the crock pot simmers. Both look like to-die-for morsels.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

I hope you enjoy the recipe, Luna. If you enjoy alpha heroes with a heart, my French government agent is for you. Thanks for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

This looks yummy, and yes, it would be great for a potluck. Can't wait to try it. Oh--and I love the title and cover of your book! I look forward to reading it.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks, Jan. This is a great recipe and tastes equally as well over a bed of brown rice.

Kathy L Wheeler said...

Yum.

Alicia Dean said...

This sounds not only delicious, but fairly simple to make (Martha Stewart I am not. I need 'simple') - As always, your book sounds fantastic. Thank you for sharing both.

Barbara said...

Love the recipe! I haven't done much with frozen meatballs, but this sounds really easy. Great for a busy lifestyle.

I'm currently reading "Rain is a Love Song" and enjoying it very much. Plan to do a review when I'm done.

Barbara Barrett

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Yes, Kathy, they are quite yummy...and so is Jean-Luc my hero. Whoot!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Alicia, I love crockpot recipes when I'm heavy into a story. I can fix it in the morning when I'm making breakfast and forget about it until the aromas drive me nuts and I have to sample. Thanks for stopping by.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Barbara, I'm thrilled you're reading Rain. And, yes, reviews are always welcome whether they are positive, negative or please, someone stop this woman from writing another book. ;-)

Calisa Rhose said...

I wonder if Mitch will eat this! It sounds yummy. I have this book and can't wait to read it!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Surprise him. See what he thinks. ;-)

Angela Adams said...

Sounds fabulous!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks, Angela. Good to see you!

Jan Hougland said...

Can't wait to try out your crockpot meatballs, Vonnie! And your latest release sounds absolutely delightful. I love a little mystery and/or action with my romance. Thanks for providing for a great summer read and meal!
BTW, do you serve your meatballs over rice or anything? jdh2690@gmail.com

Jan Hougland said...

Oops, Vonnie! I just read where you serve the meatballs over rice. Sorry for not being thorough on my read thru the first time! jdh2690@gmail.com

AJ Nuest said...

Okay, this sounds so yummy and like just what I needed. I have a Hawaiian meatball recipe that I love to crock pot but it doesn't have enough veggies in it for my taste. I love all these you have listed. I'm gonna try this one next time and see if we like it better! Thank you, V!