Shannon here: Romantic Suspense author, Rebecca Carey Lyles shares her gluten free vegan recipe for Coconut Raisin Scones & the story behind the story of her latest release, Winds of Freedom. Comment on any post dated July 8 – 12 to get your name in the drawing for a copy. Deadline: July 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Rebecca:
Thanks, Shannon, for letting me visit your blog. Bless you!
Raisins are a big deal in Winds of Freedom (you’ll have to read the book to find out why J). Raisin Bran cereal, raisin scones and raisin cream pie are all featured in the book. I’m not a big fan of raisin cream pie and I like to experiment with gluten-free recipes, so here’s a flourless raisin scone recipe I found online at healthygreenkitchen.com. For the record, I recently made this recipe with Stevia (half teaspoon or so) instead of cane sugar and used currants (dried red seedless grapes) instead of regular raisins, plus added pecans. The scones taste great. Enjoy!
Recipe for Coconut Raisin Scones (Gluten-Free and Vegan) adapted from Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking and The Essential New York Times Cookbook: Classic Recipes for a New Century
Ingredients:
*6 ounces almond flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill brand, and for those who prefer to measure in cups, this was just under two cups)
*3 ounces coconut flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill brand, and this was equal to 1 cup)
*2 teaspoons baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
*1/3 cup raw, organic cane sugar plus another 1-2 teaspoons for sprinkling on top of the scones before baking
*9 ounces organic coconut milk (I used organic, unsweetened full-fat coconut milk from Native Harvest, and I stirred it very well to mix in the cream after I opened the can)
*1/4 cup organic raisins
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine the almond and coconut flours in a medium bowl and whisk with a fork. Add the baking powder and the salt and whisk again.
3. Add the well-mixed coconut milk and the raisins to the flour mixture and combine with a wooden spoon (or your clean hands) until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too dry, you can add a bit more coconut milk; if it’s too wet, add a bit more almond or coconut flour (I didn’t need to do either of these…just making the suggestion, should your dough not look right).
4. Turn the dough out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and flatten it into a thick circle. Cut the dough into eight equal triangle-shaped pieces, then sprinkle the top of the scones with the additional organic cane sugar (press the sugar down a little so it adheres to the scones).
5. Move the pieces apart a bit so the scones are separated from each other by an inch or two, then bake until they are starting to brown on top. Start checking at 15 minutes, but it may take them as long as 25 minutes to bake. Transfer to a rack to cool before serving.
The story behind the story & excerpt – Winds of Freedom:
Winds of Freedom is the sequel to Winds of Wyoming. I wrote the book for a number of reasons, but one was to continue the romance between the heroine, Kate Neilson, and the hero, Mike Duncan. Even though they’ve been married for a year, their relationship hasn’t lost its sparkle (Kate’s heart still flip-flops when Mike winks at her!). The second book also includes the budding romance between two characters from the first book—Amy Iverson, Kate’s best friend, and Clint Barrett, Mike’s best friend and ranch foreman. Here’s a passage from the book that hints at the duo’s developing friendship:
Amy peeked into the living room before she turned back to Kate. “I don’t see Clint. Did he go home?”
“He and Manuel and the kids are in the office playing computer games.”
“So what’s with him and Susan?” Amy lowered her voice. “They were inseparable at your wedding. I thought she’d be here today.”
“So did I.” Kate rinsed a bowl. “She’s come here for other holidays.”
Amy scooped food into a container. “In case you haven’t noticed…” She snapped on the lid. “I developed a crush on Clint the day I met him. Every time I’m with him, it seems like things click between us.”
“You two were certainly cozy last night. What time did you finish the puzzle?”
“Around two-thirty. We had such a good time that I hated to leave, but it was nice of him to walk me to my cabin.” A dreamy smile crossed her face. “The full moon was bright enough to see the path, yet he held my arm all the way.”
“I heard him teasing you about your bird tattoos.”
“Clint likes Orville and Wilbur.”
Kate grinned. “So that’s why you wore a skirt today.”
“You caught me.” Amy’s cheeks colored. “I wanted to show off the new tatts on my legs.”
“I like them, too.” Kate hugged her friend.
“If Clint and Susan break up, let me know. Okay?”
About the book – Winds of Freedom: Winds of Freedom is a Kate Neilson Novel — Contemporary Christian Romance Set in the West and Salted with Suspense:
Winter storms blast across the West and fuel the bitter wind that ravages ranch-owner Kate Neilson Duncan’s soul. In the midst of shattered dreams, she learns her best friend has not only disappeared, she’s been accused of murder. Kate vows to find her and prove her innocence. When the Duncans’ Wyoming ranch is threatened and Kate’s mother-in-law becomes ensnared by evil, Kate and her husband, Mike, join forces with their foreman to fight for all that is dear to them. Can the three ranchers defeat the lethal powers determined to destroy Kate, their loved ones and their ranch?
About Rebecca: Rebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the setting for her Kate Neilson novels. She and her husband, Steve, currently live in Idaho (not to be confused with Iowa!), the beautiful state that borders Wyoming on the west. In addition to writing fiction and nonfiction, she serves as an editor and a mentor to aspiring authors and as a coach for women transitioning from prison to “the outside.” Winds of Freedom is the sequel to the award-winning first book in the Kate Neilson series, Winds of Wyoming. Learn more: http://www, beckylyles.com, widgetwords.wordpress.com, Facebook author page: Rebecca Carey Lyles, Twitter: @BeckyLyles, and LinkedIn: Becky Lyles
Come back June 15th for Sandra D. Moore!
would love to win.
Thanks for the chance to win and the recipe.
Loved the scone recipe. A friend is now gluten-free, so I’m always on the look out for things I can make for him. The story sounds intriguing, I will have to find book 1. Thanx for the give away!
I am looking forward to the book and making the scone recipe.
Looking forward to reading the sequel!
This looks really good and thanks for the awesome-sounding recipe!
Rebecca, I would love to win this book. I have the first book already. I also love Wyoming. I got to live in Jackson Hole for 6 years. Sure hated to leave. The area is beautiful. Please put me in the drawing. And, I hope, hope, hope to win. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Your recipe sounds wonderful! I love having tea and scones. I am very anxious to read Winds of Freedom. It sounds like a book I would enjoy–very intriguing. Thank you for offering a copy.
Both sound wonderful, the recipe and book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a good book – would like to read it, thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Many thanks to each of you for your kind comments. We just returned from spending a few days at a hot springs in the Idaho mountains – almost as good as Jackson Hole, Maxie. 😉
The publisher is currently listing “Winds of Wyoming” only on Amazon (ebook & print). “Winds of Freedom” will be in the same KDP Select program on Amazon for several months following its debut, which may be this week (fingers crossed!).
I’m looking forward to sending one of you a copy of the latest Kate Neilson saga!
Becky
I have a winner! Betty Wasmundt won the drawing for Becky’s book. I appreciate Becky for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.