Culinary Mysteries as Christmas Gift Ideas
Wondering what to get someone special for Christmas? Or what hints to drop? Culinary mystery novels are one of my favorite
indulgences. What are culinary mysteries? They're novels that usually feature a
heroine (it seems to be a female-dominated genre) who solves a mystery (usually
a murder). The settings are always culinary in nature (e.g., a caterer, a
restaurant critic, a bakery, etc.) and most books include recipes in the novel.
While the recipes aren't gluten-free, they can inspire you to get creative in
the kitchen.
My favorite series is by Diane Mott Davidson (a
fellow Coloradoan) whose heroine is Goldy, a caterer in the Colorado mountains
who always manages to get caught up in her community's latest murder and usually
helps solve it, too. If you like a Scandinavian touch, you'll like Joanne
Fluke's series which casts Hannah, a bakery owner, as the crime-solver in a
Minnesota town.
Yet another series that I plan to read while cozied
up to the fireplace this coming holiday season is a series by Phyllis Richman
whose main character, Chas Wheatley, a restaurant critic for the fictional
Washington Examiner newspaper, tracks down the murderer.
More New Products
Vino de Milo Gourmet Sauces
If you're looking for an upscale, truly fresh
taste, try the new wine-infused line from Vino de Milo Gourmet Sauces (www.VinodeMilo.com).
I used the Tuscan Merlot pasta sauce (one of three flavors) on a homemade
gluten-free pizza and my family raved
about it.
There are also three flavors of tomato-based "simmer"
sauces which can be served over pasta or used for simmering meat or chicken.
Keep these sauces on your pantry shelf for a very quick, easy meal.
Breadman
Ultimate Breadmaker
Salton is coming
out with a new version of its bread machine this fall and it has a "gluten-free"
setting, plus gluten-free recipes. It's good to see manufacturers catering to
our needs. Thanks, Salton.
Food for Thought
Saying on a Hallmark birthday card I
received recently:
"Any pan is a no-stick pan is you no cook
in it." Inside the card, it says "It's your birthday, don't cook." A dear friend
who knows I'm constantly cooking sent it to me.
Where in the
World is Carol?
No business travel this month, but I did just
return from a personal trip to California where the culinary highlights were
lunch at the Culinary Institute of America ( CIA) Greystone Castle in Napa
Valley. The chefs are situated in the middle of the restaurant for all diners to
watch, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And, lunch at Chez Panisse, world-famous
organic restaurant in Berkeley owned by Alice Waters who uses only locally grown
food.
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