Shannon here: Janet Chester Bly shares romantic excerpts from her Contemporary Western, Wind in the Wires (Book 1 in the Trails of Reba Cahill series), plus Reba’s recipe for Veggie Beef Crockpot Soup. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for winner’s choice of PDF for digital reader or paperback copy. Deadline: June 30th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Janet:
Beefy Recipe for Romance by Janet Chester Bly:
Cowgirl Reba Mae Cahill’s obsession is to find a rancher husband who will come alongside to help raise cows, train horses, and harvest wheat fields on her grandmother’s land. But she lives in Road’s End, Idaho, population 400. Slim love interest pickings here. Her best friend, Ginny George, of California tries to help out:
“What do you cook that could steal a man’s heart?” she asks.
“That’s easy. Only three dishes I’m any good at … beef stew, beef veggie soup, and tamale pie. I put lots of basil in the stew, dill in the soup, and pile Grandma’s jalapeno cheesy cornbread mix on top the pie.”
“Well, it’s a start. All hope is not dead.”
When she finally finds a suitable guy who asks her to marry him, they go looking for an engagement ring. She decides to fess up about her limited culinary skills. Then he has a confession of his own to make:
Reba wore her favorite tan cowgirl hat, most comfy and clean brown leather boots, a tan button shirt, and brown Wrangler’s. About as coordinated and dressed up as she ever got.
“First stop, Severs Jewelry,” Jace announced.
“Before you invest in a ring for me,” Reba said, “I think you ought to know I’m only good at cooking three main dishes: beef stew, beef veggie soup, and tamale pie.”
“Okay. Sounds good. We’ll start with that.” He offered her a goofy grin.
She pecked his cheek. “I am partial to guys with contagious smiles.”
“And this is very awkward, but I’m basically broke. Gave most of my money to bail out my dad.”
“We can wait on the rings. We can wait on everything,” she assured him.
“Nope. We’re not going to wait. I’ve got enough to do simple.”
“That suits me just fine.”
They finally settled on a plain double set of gold bands.
“Some day, you’ll get diamonds,” Jake promised.
“All I want is you.” Reba meant that with her whole heart.
A delighted Reba discovered crockpots. She got her first one in 1989.
Not one to like to fuss in the kitchen, she could start her soup or stew in the morning after chores and loved knowing it slow-cooked all day.
Off she went to fix fences and wrangle cows with her black horse, Johnny Poe. And try to figure a way for one of Road’s End’s few eligible bachelors to stop by and smell the wonderful aroma.
The veggie choices varied for her on this recipe, but not the spices. She favored the mix of basil, dill and turmeric and didn’t like fussing to fish out bay leaves. But if you don’t mind the extra bother, and prefer that flavor, use 2 bay leaves instead.
Reba Cahill’s Veggie Beef Crockpot Soup courtesy of Janet Chester Bly:
Basic Ingredients:
1 lb. minced ground beef or 1 lb. cubed beef stew meat
12 oz. mixed veggies–frozen, canned, or fresh
1 12 oz. can tomatoes & 1 can water
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 onion, diced
1 Tbsp. basil or to taste
1 tsp. dill or to taste
1 pinch turmeric or to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
30 oz. beef broth
6 oz. ketchup
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 clove garlic minced
2 stalks celery, cut up
1 can corn (or use fresh off the cob)
1 can green beans (or fresh out of the garden)
add fresh or frozen (thawed) spinach last half hour
Crockpot or Stovetop Directions:
Add to large crockpot and cook on low for six hours or on high four hours.
Or in large kettle on top stove and simmer several hours.
Serves about six.
About Janet: Janet Chester Bly is the widow of award-winning western author, Stephen Bly. She authored and co-authored with Stephen 40 books, both fiction and nonfiction. She lives at 4,200 foot elevation in north-central Idaho on the Nezperce Indian Reservation. Her most recent novels, The Trails of Reba Cahill Series, include Wind in the Wires, Down Squash Blossom Road, and Book 3, scheduled for Winter 2018 release: Beneath a Camperdown Elm. She writes contemporary western mysteries with a touch of romance. Some call her stories CowgirlLit. Find out more or connect with Janet:
Janet’s Website Janet’s Facebook Janet’s Twitter Janet’s Pinterest
Janet’s Goodreads Janet’s Google+ Janet’s Linkedin Janet’s Instagram
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About the Book – Wind in the Wires:
Cowgirl Reba Cahill searches for love and her runaway mother. An old man seeks justice in two cold case murders. They take a journey that exposes lies and betrayal. Will the truth be too hard for either to bear?
Question for Readers: Reba loves cooking with a crockpot. What kitchen tool or appliance is your favorite and why?
Come back June 26th for Mary Davis!
I love my microwave, air fryer and crockpot for making my life easier
Shelia: Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet
I love my vegetable spiralizer! I’m not supposed to eat regular pasta (waaaah), but I can make vegetable noodles for spaghetti or lasagna. It’s on my mind now because I used it earlier today! 🙂
Erin: I’ve never heard of that before. Sounds intriguing! Blessings, Janet
I used to love using my crockpot until my husband took over the cooking years ago. he didn’t like using it so i gave it to my daughter. he can’t do without and electric frying pan.
Vivian: How fortunate to have a husband to take over the cooking! Easy to forego the crockpot in exchange! 🙂 Blessings, Janet
I love my microwave, my crockpot, and my new dishwasher. All three make my life much easier. I can’t imagine living back when they cooked on a wood stove with no air conditioning. I would have died from melting.
Greetings, Shannon: I’m with you on this opinion! Thank you so much for including me on your blog! Greatly appreciated! Blessings, Janet
I am thinking about this and would have to say my crockpot (purple of course!). I love being able to throw everything in there, turn it on, and voila….when we are ready toe at, the food is ready. The aroma in the house is very inviting!
Connie Sue: A purple crockpot sounds very special! I’d rather have a red one though. I love the throwing everything in there part and walking away for hours while it does it’s thing. Blessings, Janet/Janni-Rae
Microwave and pasta strainer!
Anne: Yay! Sounds good! Blessings, Janet
Depending on the season, I love my slow cooker, roaster and Nu Wave oven. During the summer, my favorite applicance is the car…driving to the air conditioned restaurant!!!!
Jennifer: Love your summer appliance reply! Blessings, Janet
Thank you for the recipe. I love my crockpot and my microwave, and my grill.
Rita: You’re welcome! Yes, a grill is so nice too. Blessings, Janet
Regular oven as I enjoy baked potato’s
Kim: I have done 8-minute baked potatoes in the microwave. They turn out pretty good. Blessings, Janet
We use the countertop convection oven a lot. Cooler than the large oven. My hubby cooks, also. He weighs and measures everything. We cook mostly from scratch. Thanks for the recipe.
Paula: Sounds like serious cooking at your house! Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Janet
I enjoy using my crock-pot.
I try to do everything I can the night before so all I have to do is pop it into the cp, put it on low, and dinner is ready the minute I walk in the door.
Can this recipe be used with ground turkey or chicken? My husband does not eat beef.
Janet: This recipe could definitely substitute ground turkey or chicken. In fact, I know I’ve done the chicken. However, my character Reba Mae Cahill works a cattle ranch, so that’s why the beef. 🙂 Blessings, Janet
I love my air fryer and blender!
Diana: I’ve never used an air fryer! Fascinating! Blessings, Janet
Can’t beat an old cast iron pot. easy to clean and gets better with age
Rice cooker. Grew up making rice the old fashion filipino way.
Gabe: Thanks for your comments! I’ll bet you’re a great cook too! 🙂 Blessings, Janet
I love the telephone, so I can call in a to-go order. I don’t cook. 😉
Caryl: We all have times like this! However, I do live too far away for delivery … 45 miles too far, in fact! Unless one of my sons brings pizza up the mountain! Reba Mae Cahill is in the same fix! Blessings, Janet
Zurishi bread maker–to make Gluten Free Bread
Greetings! I have a friend who would like that. She has celiac disease and is totally gluten free. Blessings, Janet
My favorite is definitely the crock pot! So easy; so good!
Teresa: I agree! Blessings, Janet
I love my crockpot – start in the morning, and dinner is done when I get home from work. In the hot summer, I don’t have to heat up the house, and in the winter, there is nothing like coming home to the smell of stew cooking in the crockpot.
Christina: You said it so well! Blessings, Janet
My crockpot is the best way to prepare the dinner meal and let it cook all day when I’m at work. However, in the summer it is definitely grilling season at my house.
Tammy: I agree–grilling is good too! Blessings, Janet
I love my crockpot too — it is so easy to add all the ingredients early and have dinner ready when I am ready to eat.
Thanks for sharing Reba’s recipe. I am also a fan of a crock pot (slow cooker) but I also use my microwave every day for some chore: heating water, defrosting meat and baking potatoes. I also have a special skillet for my friend cornbread! Thanks also for your giveaway!
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Connie: Thanks much for the note & your sharing! Blessings, Janet
I would say my micro because I use it to easily heat up my leftovers without heating up the whole house.
I use the oven and a cast iron skillet! Lol there’s nothing better for me
My favorites are my crock pots,I have a small and large one. I also love my convection oven,especially in the summer.Thanks for the chance to win.
Hello, my favourite kitchen tool would be my beloved slow cooker..an amazing versatile ‘right hand’ that performs magic for me! Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
I have a winner! MS Barb won the drawing. I appreciate Janet for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.