Making pralines, a gooey pecan-embedded caramel concoction, is a Christmas tradition in many kitchens in the South. Cookbook author Nathalie Dupree wrote in Southern Memories: "I can't imagine a world without pralines."

This family recipe for pralines appears in the print edition of my Christmas romance Nobody's Cinderella which will be available in mid-December. Luckily, you get it now.

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Magic Christmas Pralines Recipe

Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk or  ½ cup of each
2 tablespoons butter
2 ½ cups pecans

Equipment:
Heavy saucepan or skillet
Candy thermometer
Silicone mat or parchment paper
a Tablespoon

Procedure:
Place sugar and cream in the heavy bottomed pot. Turn on the heat and stir to mix. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook over medium heat until the candy thermometer registers 238 degrees.

Stir well and continue cooking until candy thermometer registers 245 degrees.

Remove from heat. Quickly spoon the hot mixture onto a silicone mat or a sheet or parchment paper.

The pralines will spread and crystallize as they cool.
When they are completely cool, wrap each piece individually in a piece of wax paper -- or small paper doily if you want to package them for a gift. Store in an airtight container.

Darcy is the oldest cliche in the world--a woman in love with her boss. Other than that, she's no-nonsense, practical, mature, and sober. She's the kind of woman Chase Whitaker wants as head of accounting for his company. She's definitely not the kind of woman he wants in his bed.

Blessed with a killer hoop shot instead of feminine wiles, thanks to her 3 brothers, she hasn't a clue as to how to attract Chase's interest. She's nothing like the swinging hotties that he dates, but Darcy's meddling, matchmaking best friend has a plan to transform Darcy into the ultimate hottie--just the kind of woman Chase likes. All it takes? A couple of little lies. And a wish on a Christmas star.

The lies turn out to be not so little, and Darcy gets way more than she bargained for. You know what they say about wishes? Be careful what you wish for.

~ ~ ~

http://www.JoanReeves.com

http://SlingWords.blogspot.com

Rob Frietag also loves the beer brewing business and when he returns, after a few jobs in a brewery, he opens his own brew pub in downtown Ann Arbor with his lover/partner, Blake Thornton.

Rob later goes on to host his own successful “Brew Chef Rob” show on the Food Network….but that’s all in the book!

So….I’m letting ROB share his favorite beer-influenced Thanksgiving recipe! This is one that I’m lucky enough to have sampled, thanks to a spouse who loves to cook (but rarely has time)….

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Beer Brined Turkey

Beer Brine Ingredients:

4 QuartsBeer*

4 QuartsIce or Water

2 Cup Kosher Salt

1 Cup Sugar

4 Each Bay Leaves

3 BunchThyme, fresh

3 Each Yellow Onion, peeled and chopped

3 Stalks Celery, sliced

3 Each Carrots, peeled and sliced

2 Each Lemon, quartered

4 Each Garlic Cloves, peeled and sliced

1 Each Turkey, preferably free range

Brine Option 1:

If you have planned ahead, this option will give you more flavors as the sugar and salt crystals completely dissolve.  In a large pot, add beer, salt, sugar, bay leaves, thyme, onion, celery, carrots, lemon and garlic.  Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes and remove from heat.  Add the ice or cold water; it will help cool the brine solution.  Refrigerate for 1 hour or until brine is well chilled. 

Brine Option 2:

In a large container or a cleaned ice cooler, add all the ingredients (water instead of ice) except the chicken or turkey; mix well. 

Brine Instructions:

Use either a large 3-4 gallon container or a cleaned ice cooler and add the turkey, then top off with the brine (for the ice cooler, add a few zip lock bags full of ice).  Place in the refrigerator or ice cooler for 24-48 hours.

Oven Cooking Instructions:

Follow either brine option 1 or 2.  Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.  Remove the turkey from the brine and dry well.  This will help the browning of the skin, as moisture will steam instead of roast the turkey.  Truss the bird with twine, to help hold its shape and to aid in cooking the turkey evenly.  I highly recommend using a temperature probe to make sure the turkey is cooked to a certain temperature (165°F) vs a length of time.  If you don’t have a probe, a16-20 pound turkey should take between 3.5 and 4 hours to fully cook at this temp.  Check both the breast and the thigh temperature to make sure the turkey is evenly cooked. 

Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.  This will help the keep a moist turkey by letting the meat relax and re-distribute its juices. 

Smoking Instructions:

Instead of using an oven, use a smoker and keep the temperature at 250°F until the internal temp is 165°F.  For wood chips, I would recommend Apple, Pecan or Cherry wood chips soaked for 30 minutes in the same beer you used in the brine.

· For Beer, my suggestions are: Oktoberfest, Hefeweizen, Bock, Pale Ale, or Brown Ale.  You may use a Stout or Porter if you wish, just cut the brine time to 6 hours or the bird will just taste like a Stout or Porter.

For years, Rob Freitag has resisted anything resembling a true emotional connection, preferring instead to explore life and his own desires without committing to anyone for very long. While he is close to achieving his career goal as head chef of a five-star restaurant in Chicago, he is still very much alone.

Blake Thornton’s heart has been shattered by an intensely emotional relationship with Suzanne Baxter in Ann Arbor. When the two men meet, their lives are changed forever. But time is of the essence for Rob and when he acknowledges his true feelings, he will stop at nothing to keep them together, including finding a surrogate mother for the child Blake so desperately wants.

Lila Warren is recovering from a nasty divorce, needs cash and believes carrying their baby will fulfill her in ways her marriage never did. None of them suspect that the connection they share will provide the final emotional key to their life-long puzzle. When Rob’s secret is revealed, time becomes the one luxury they don’t have, setting in motion a chain of events that shatters the fragile illusion of happiness for them, and everyone around them

~ ~ ~

www.lizcrowe.com

www.brewingpassion.com

Thank you for having me as a guest today! Have you ever had a craving for a moist, flavorful chocolate cake but … you didn’t have the ingredients? Well, here’s a great recipe for chocolate cake and it doesn’t require butter, eggs or milk.

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Poor Man’s Chocolate Cake

Preheat oven to 375. Cooking time 25-35 minutes.

2/3 cup cocoa

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 t baking soda

4 t baking powder

Dash salt

Mix dry ingredients together.

Add:

1 cup oil

2 cups water

1 t vanilla

1 t white vinegar

Fits one 9 x 13 pan.

Super easy right? The cake is really good. I just eat it plain! You could certainly make an easy frosting for it with cream cheese or butter and powdered sugar.

Dominating BDSM Billionaires - The Complete Series Bundle

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His Need, Her Desire

Tabitha didn't come to Hawaii to be spanked, but that's the cost of being saved from drowning by Marcus and the start of an affair so intense they must decide - is this a holiday fling or the real thing?

His Desire, Her Surrender

Tabitha Quinn's Hawaii vacation was anything but ordinary. Dominant billionaire Marcus Granger saved her life, swept her into his bed, and then left her heartbroken. Now she's back in New York, and she'll never see Marcus again ... or will she?

Her Wish, His Command

Doctor Anna Foster may just get what she wants: sexy fellow researcher Jonah Granger. Now that they've admitted their attraction, Anna may even be able to tell him what she really wants: to submit to him.

His Passion, Her Temptation

Monica Granger and Ben Coron must thwart the takeover and heal the rift between their families. If they don't, they'll never trust one another enough to pursue the dominance and submission they both need.

~ ~ ~

http://www.maliamallory.com

This recipe has been in my family for at least three generations, maybe more. While not a huge lover of what others call fudge, this recipe is one I make every year… and eat most of it too.

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GG's Fudge

1 c walnuts, chopped	1 12 oz pckg semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cube (1/4 lb) margarine, cut in eights	2 c sugar
1 small can (2/3 c) evaporated milk	10-14 regular-size marshmallows

Place nuts, chocolate chips and margarine in large mixing bowl. Set aside.

IN sauce pan, combine sugar, milk and marshmallows. Bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly. Once it begins to bubble, slow boil for 6 minutes.

Pour milk mixture over chocolate mixture and mix with wooden spoon until it starts to firm up and lose some of its sheen. Then pour over buttered sheet or plate so that it can finish setting up. Cut into pieces.

Give some to your friends – if there is any left.

Thrilled to be spending her summer interning at the world’s largest erotic library, Serendipity Jones feels it cannot get any better than sun, sand, and the beautiful castle the library is housed in. Within days of her arrival, strange things begin to occur that only she knows of. Erotic sounds come from within the library when nobody else is around, the books won't open, and a strange man seems to be plaguing her steps.

At first annoyed by the imposing taciturn man, she finds herself attracted and quickly falls in love with Joshuan even though he is meant for another. On a quest to find the woman foretold in a prophecy from his world, he is at first annoyed at Seri who keeps getting in his way before coming to enjoy her company and falling in love with her. But their short love affair must come to an end. For the woman foretold will be found as the sun goes silent and the solar eclipse comes quickly.

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http://www.thiannad.com/

Around the holidays, I love to bake these yummy cinnamon rolls. They are absolutely irresistible, my family devours them in minutes, and they are super easy to make. This is perfect for any Sunday, the morning after Thanksgiving, or Christmas day.

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Irresistible Cinnamon Rolls

FILLING:

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup finely chopped apple (peeled and cored first) I like to use Gala or Honeycrisp

1/4 cup chopped dried cherries

2/3 stick butter, softened

DOUGH:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup maple syrup

ICING:

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup cream cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Brush a 9-inch cake pan with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter or use Pam baking spray.

Make the dough. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the buttermilk, syrup, and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, and stir until just combined. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead until smooth (it will still be very soft and a little sticky). Place in a lightly floured bowl, cover, and chill for 20 minutes.

This is the perfect time to make the filling. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped apples and chopped dried cherries. Set aside. You’ll use the softened butter later.

Once the dough is chilled, flatten into a rectangle about 12 X 8 inches on a lightly floured surface. Spread 2/3 cup softened butter across top and then evenly sprinkle the filling, leaving less than a 1/2 inch around the edge. Press the filling down to pack it on top of the dough.

Starting on the long edge, tightly roll up the dough. Try to be gentle as this will likely stick to the counter a bit. Pinch the seam closed and lay the log seam side down. Cut into 8 even pieces, and transfer each roll to the prepared cake pan. Brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Bake for 20 to 23minutes, until golden brown.

Make the icing while rolls are baking. Combine icing ingredients with an electric mixer until fluffy. Once rolls are done, place a plate on top of pan and flip over. Frost the rolls with the icing. You can also ice rolls while in the pan. Serve warm.

In their bleakest hour, the price of redemption could be the death of their love.

Kindred Chronicles, Book 2

Before Serenity and Cyrus can embark on a romantic honeymoon, one of their gifts from an immortal comes to life and unleashes a devastating series of events that forces them to make an unthinkable sacrifice. To undo the evil of dark magic, Serenity must travel to the immortals’ hold in Iceland. Alone.

Her journey leads to an island shrouded in mystery, where secrets from her past come to light…and she forms an inexplicable connection with a handsome, tempting healer who may pose the greatest risk of all.

Cyrus comes close to unraveling without his mate, but refuses to let honor or duty keep them apart, even if it means the bloodshed of his own kinsmen.

As the Great Council prepares to convene to determine their fate, friends become enemies, enemies become allies, and soul mates are pushed right to the edge—where love and faith is their only hope of survival.

~ ~ ~

www.IsisRushdan.com

From my best friend’s Grand Mother’s recipe box. They are a sweet indulgence that will make you swoon!

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Romance Cookies

Bottom layer:

1 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups flour (all purpose white)

1 tsp. salt
Cream butter and sugar, add salt and flour. Dough will be flaky. 

Spread out in an ungreased 15x10 cookie sheet. 

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.

Topping:

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar

2 Tbls. flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 cup coarsely ground walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Beat eggs until fluffy. 

3. Add brown sugar, flour, baking powder and vanilla. 

4. Fold in coconut and nuts.

5. Spread mixture over top of bottom layer and bake another 20 minutes.

6. Let cool and cut into squares.  Dust with powdered sugar.

The magic of Christmas is in the memories we hold dear and those precious treasures that remind us of the past. Join us as our Timeless Keepsakes take us on five remarkable journeys that heal old wounds, remind us of days gone by, play matchmaker, sweep us back in time and prove that love can conquer all.

~~~~~~~

Introduction ~ Sharon Sala

Mistletoe and Magick ~ Ruth A. Casie

She would give her last breath for him. He would give up everything to guard her well and love her more.

Christmas Spirits ~ Lita Harris

A widow's everlasting love is renewed by the memories of the holiday season.

Granting Her Wish ~ Emma Kaye

She doesn't belong in his time and he doesn't belong back home. Could they belong to each other?

Letter from St. Nick ~ Nicole S. Patrick

She’s trying to save her home and he’s never had one until now. Can an unexpected gift lead their hearts to the same place?

Secret Santa ~ Julie Rowe

A nurse grieving the death of her twin brother receives an unusual gift at the staff Secret Santa party: the bullet that killed him along with a message of hope and love.

~ ~ ~

www.RuthACasie.com

www.TimelessScribes.com

The recipe I’m sharing is one that I make quite often. My husband calls it Stovetop Lasagna. I always refer to it as Homemade Hamburger Helper.

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Souper Skillet Pasta

1 pouch Onion Soup Mix

1 lb Ground Beef

1 tsp oregano

1 can (28oz approx.) Tomatoes, undrained

2 cups Water (I always add more)

2 cups Uncooked Medium Shell Macaroni (I add more of this, too. Makes it go farther. Plus, I use whole wheat rotini or bowtie noodles, instead.)

1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese

In a large frying pan, brown beef then drain. Add onion soup mix, oregano, tomatoes, and water. Bring to a boil. Stir in macaroni. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until macaroni is tender. Stir in parmesan cheese and top with mozzarella cheese.

He fills her with forbidden longing…

Widowed for over a year, Sera longs for the company of her younger, sexier neighbor, the one man she can never have—unless she plans to rob the cradle. It’s too dangerous…

She’s the only one for him…

Adam never wanted to settle down…until Sera. But even when her children give him the green light, he must prove age is an alien concept...

Will Sera give him a chance, or will Adam be left in the cold, never more than her alien admirer?

~ ~ ~

jessicasubject.com

 

My family likes this recipe so much that I make it all year long. When I don't have leftover turkey, I simply substitute shredded chicken breasts. I frequently double the recipe and freeze one for later.

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Turkey/Chicken Tetrazzini with a New Mexican Twist

Ingredients

8 oz whole wheat fusilli/spiral pasta (or whatever pasta you have in the pantry)

2 cups shredded cooked turkey or chicken

3 tablespoons butter

1 onion chopped

2 cups shredded Cheddar/Jack cheese

2 cups half and half

2 oz jar diced pimentos, drained, or ¼ cup chopped roasted red bell peppers

4 oz can chopped green chile, drained (I use mild, but if you'd like something spicy, try medium or hot.)

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1-2 cups fried onions (Although, I've made it without these when I don't have them.)

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cook pasta according to instructions. Drain and spread in 9x13 pan. Mix in shredded turkey or chicken.

Melt butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add cheese, half and half, and pimentos or roasted red bell peppers, green chile, salt and pepper. Stir until thoroughly heated. Pour into pan with pasta and turkey/chicken.

Sprinkle fried onions on top. (If freezing, put the fried onions in a Ziploc and freeze with casserole. After thawing the Tetrazzini, sprinkle the fried onions on top.)

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Hailey Anderson's deep, dark secret? She's been madly in lust with her overprotective brother's two best friends for years. Gorgeous woodworking artist Mark Allen and sexy doctor Tony Adamo have no idea they star in her fantasies every night.

After a nasty breakup with her abusive boyfriend, Hailey's looking for a little distance. Headed for a two-week Hawaiian vacation with her brother and his hot friends, Hailey can't wait to feast her eyes on Mark's and Tony's rock-hard, ocean-slick bodies. Even if she can't touch.

But instead of treating her like their little sister, Mark and Tony have a surprising proposition: a monogamous ménage à trois. The three of them—and no one else. Both men want Hailey and have agreed to share her. The red-hot reality is even better than the forbidden fantasy. Until Hailey's ex threatens their newfound happiness…

I’m an “everything but the kitchen sink” kind of cook and I love using my crockpot! A fave meal to do in the crockpot is Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine. I don’t use a recipe since it’s everything but the kitchen sink thrown in but here are my process/items I use (never the same twice LOL) to feed a family of 5.

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Ingredients:

5-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2-3 jars of Classico Alfredo (roasted garlic or original)

900g pkg of Fettucine noodles

Butter

Peppers, onion, garlic

Process:

1. Add chicken and alfredo sauce to crockpot.

2. Add peppers, onions, garlic for seasoning.

3. Cook all day – five hours is good too.

4. Once ready to cook noodles, boil for 15 mins in pot of water.

5. Strain noodles once cooked, let sit about 5 mins, then spread 2 tblsp of butter over noodles.

6. Cut chicken breasts into small chunks.

7. Dish up noodles and chicken onto each plate, then spread alfredo sauce over top.

8. Ready to eat!

Side dish can be whatever you want it to be. Often times, my kids prefer broccoli.

Bridget Guthrie and Zander Hudson have worked at Club Splendor together for years, sharing smoldering glances, flirting, and building a friendship. Thanks to the club’s strict policy of no staff fraternization, they’ve resisted how much they truly want each another.

With Bridget leaving to explore her dreams, they no longer have to hide their passions. After hours, in one of the pleasure rooms at Club Splendor, they finally give in to the burning desire they’ve held at bay for too long. She’s taken care of other people’s love lives for so long while at the club, can she find the courage to take care of her own needs and fantasies?

~ ~ ~

www.kaceyhammell.com