One year, when I had an abundance—I’m talking bushels and bushels—of apples, and was searching for new ideas to use them, I discovered that besides apple pie or apple crisp—which are both delicious—apples are a tasty addition to many savory recipes. Maybe it’s a New England thing, but cheddar cheese is often served with apple slices, so I asked myself, why not mix diced apples with tuna fish when making a tuna melt? Since I was in the middle of writing my Little Dog Diner series, the Little Dog Diner Tuna Melt Surprise was born!
Mixing diced apples with the tuna fish added a surprising burst of crisp, tart flavor that paired perfectly with melted cheddar cheese. There’s something comforting about a tuna/apple mixture stuffed between two slices of thick bread, toasted to a crispy perfection, with cheddar cheese
oozing out with every bite.
Now, if I’m short on time around the holidays, unexpected guests show up, or I’m just in the mood for something that’s quick, easy, and delicious, the Little Dog Diner Tuna Melt Surprise is always on the menu.
Little Dog Diner Tuna Melt Surprise
Inspired by the Little Dog Diner series set in Maine.
INGREDIENTS
5-oz. can solid white tuna fish, drained
1 tbsp. mayonnaise plus extra for coating one side of each piece of bread
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
Cheddar cheese slices enough to cover one piece of bread
1 small apple, diced into small pieces
1 tbsp. minced parsley
2 thick slices of bread for one sandwich
Salt and pepper to taste
Splash of lemon juice
SERVING SIZE: 1 large sandwich | TIME: 15 minutes
DIRECTIONS
Mix drained tuna, mayo, diced apple, mustard, parsley, salt and pepper. Add the splash of lemon juice and mix again.
Spread mayo on one side of each slice of bread (this is the outside of the sandwich)
Layer cheese and tuna mixture on bread, cover with another slice of bread – mayonnaise to the outside. (If the tuna mix doesn’t all fit, just enjoy it while your sandwich is cooking.)
Heat pan with a drizzle of olive oil, then turn to medium. Cast iron works great!
Carefully place each sandwich on preheated pan. Adjust heat as needed so bread doesn’t burn. When one side is crisp, flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. If you have a sandwich press, use it after you flip the sandwich.
Serve with sweet potato fries, potato chips, pickle, or tomatoes and enjoy!
Note: If you don’t like tuna fish, cheddar cheese plus apple slices is also delicious!
Download your free copy of the Recipes to Die for cookbook today!
French toast is always a favorite in my house. It’s usually something I reserve for weekends or a holiday, so when I was mulling over dishes that could be an extra-special breakfast specialty at Malone’s Diner in Paws, Claws, and Curses, the first book in my Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series, it was the natural choice.
What usually sets my French toast apart from others is a trick I learned from a chef at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel years ago, and that’s to replace the traditional custard mixture with melted French vanilla ice cream. Sometimes I also add a touch of orange zest.
To put a sweet holiday spin on this recipe, I’ve replaced the melted ice cream with another special occasion favorite in my house: eggnog. I’d like to think the Citrus Grove locals who hang out at Malone’s Diner would appreciate it as much as my family does.
Eggnog French Toast
Inspired by the Custard French Toast served at Malone’s Diner in Paws, Claws, and Curses by DeAnna Drake
INGREDIENTS
For the French Toast:
2 cups eggnog
3 large eggs
1/2 tbsp. cinnamon
Butter or non-stick cooking spray
12 slices of bread, thick-cut
Optional Toppings:
Butter
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup
Berries
Whipped cream
DIRECTIONS
Preheat griddle or large frying pan. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggnog, eggs, and cinnamon until well blended. Pour the egg mixture into a shallow baking dish or pie plate. Dip both sides of a slice of bread into the egg mixture.
Prepare the griddle or pan with butter or cooking spray. Cook the bread in batches until golden, a few minutes each side. Keep warm in the oven until ready to eat.
Serve with your favorite toppings.
For Custard French Toast: Replace the eggnog with 2 cups melted French vanilla ice cream.
For Orange Cream French Toast: Follow the directions for Custard French Toast, omit the cinnamon and replace with a teaspoon of orange zest and a teaspoon of orange extract.
DEANNA DRAKE is the editor of RECIPES TO DIE FOR: Holiday 2024 Edition and the author of Paws, Claws, and Curses and the rest of the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series. DeAnnaDrake.com
The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a collection of delicious, heartwarming recipes from eight of Tule Publishing’s most beloved cozy mystery authors? We’ve created Recipes to Die For: Holiday 2024 Edition,” where the spirit of the season meets the irresistible charm of cozy mysteries, and your favorite authors share not just stories, but some incredible holiday dishes!
Imagine your kitchen filled with the delightful scents of spiced cookies, simmering soups, and other home-cooked comfort foods—just like the cozy kitchens you have read about in your beloved mysteries. This cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes. It’s a festive collaboration between authors whose stories and characters have charmed readers time and again. Each recipe comes with a personal touch—a treasured family dish, a treat inspired by the pages of the author’s novels, or a holiday memory that shaped their love for cooking.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, there’s something here for everyone. From a mouthwatering breakfast and savory dinners to decadent desserts, these recipes are designed to bring a little extra magic to your festivities.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. As you cook your way through the book, you’ll get to know the talented women behind some of your favorite cozy reads—and perhaps discover a few new mysteries to add to your TBR pile!
So, grab your apron, clear out the kitchen, and get ready to whip up some culinary magic with recipes that are as comforting as a cozy mystery on a snowy day. Recipes to Die For is here to help make your holiday season a little tastier, and a lot more fun!
UP NEXT:
For the next 8 days, you’ll be treated to a special look inside the cookbook. You can also pick up your own free copy of Recipes to Die For today!
DEANNA DRAKE is the editor of RECIPES TO DIE FOR: Holiday 2024 Edition and the author of Paws, Claws, and Curses and the rest of the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series. DeAnnaDrake.com
A paleta is a Mexican dessert. Ice cream or sorbet and fruit on stick, perfect for eating on, well, any Texas day because ice cream is good any time.
M decided to visit her local Nevaria (ice cream shop) and they helped to pair paletas with her books. Here are the results.
A Dashie discovery meets Pina Colada.
Daisy of Daisy’s Nevaria picked the white and yellow dessert because the colors match the font on the front cover. M picked it because local town gossip, Piper, invites our amateur sleuth, Leslie, and her best friend, Sophia, over for pool drinks so she can get in on the investigation.
A Pom Pom Premise meets kiwi
Daisy picked kiwi because the green of the paleta matches the money and grass on the cover. M picked kiwi because it’s a sweet and tart fruit that takes a little adjusting to for your tastebuds. Kind of how Tiffany Williams tartness finally wins over Leslie in this book.
A Poodle Perplexity meets chocolate covered strawberry
M asked Daisy if she had any wedding cake flavors to go with the books. Daisy did not but she did have cheesecake. M decided that wasn’t enough. There needed to be fancy and sprinkles and lo and behold, there it was, a chocolate covered delight just waiting to be bought. (Which M did and ten more paletas thank you very much).
Which paleta sounds the most appetizing to you? What flavor do you think you’d pick to go with A Corgi Conundrum?
M. Alfano is a crazy dog lady from a small town in Texas. When not writing cozy mysteries you can find her as the substitute elementary school music teacher or writing contemporary romance under Magan Vernon.
Like many authors, I am often asked why I “became” a writer. The short answer is that I was born that way. As far back as I can remember, I was able to look at a situation, remove myself, and think about the “story” that was unfolding before me, no matter how mundane. I was always making up stories to keep my brother entertained when I was charged with babysitting him. I didn’t know that not everyone saw the world as I did until I was in college.
In English class one day the professor told us to write a short paragraph about a flower. We needed to make the description so vivid that anyone could picture it, see it. There were about twenty of us in the class. One girl raised her hand and asked, “what do you mean?” The professor repeated the assignment, but the girl shrugged and shook her head and said, “I still don’t know how to do that.” Something must have clicked for my professor as he turned to her and said, “Oh, you can’t make something from nothing, can you?” There are some people who can’t create something that doesn’t exist, don’t worry about it.” I feel sure I was not the only person in class who never knew such a thing existed. It was then I realized that is what writers do constantly—they make something from nothing.
Here is a rough idea of how I come up with story ideas and characters. I may be moved by a feeling, a look, a line of dialogue I overhear, or read, or a scene from a movie, and it lodges in my brain for use later. One day, it rises to the top and demands attention. No matter how long I ignore it, it is there, often growing, changing, and connecting with another idea. I always feel as if there is a separate part of my brain working on what I need to write next that I’m not totally aware of—yet. A friend of mine calls it the writing elves. These little creative brain elves are busy building the framework for a new book.
No two writers create in exactly the same way. All creative people can’t write a book, or have no desire to write. But most everyone will find their creative outlet. I found out later that the girl who could not envision a flower, couldn’t “build it in her mind” was a very talented quilt maker.
Why do I write? I can’t not write. It’s how I see and understand the world. Besides, I like creating something from nothing.
Thanks for stopping by the blog and congratulations on the release of your book, Retirement Can Be Murder!
Hello and welcome! First and foremost, congratulations on the release of your Tule debut, Panic in the Panhandle! I know that I’m excited about your release day, so let’s jump right in, shall we?
1. Tell us about a moment when you were scared while writing your most recent mystery/thriller?
When I started writing it! Seriously, I always start a new story wondering whether I can pull it off. Can I write an engaging mystery? Will it be good enough? Will my editor hate it? Will I even be able to finish the darn thing. Those are always scary thoughts. I’ve learned I have to shove them aside and power through the doubt.
2. What secret have you kept hidden – until now?
When I was a senior in high school, a rival school spray painted graffiti on our baseball diamond. I was part of a group that returned the favor one foggy Saturday night. We dug up home plate and tossed it over the center field fence. We planted a mail box at first base. We took the tarp that was covering the pitcher’s mound, spray painted “The Rat Patrol” on it, ran it up a nearby flagpole, then made our getaway. We played that school later in the season at our place. Some friends held up a banner at the beginning of that game that said we led 1-0 because we stole home. As far as I know, the identities of The Rat Patrol are secret to his day.
3. Talk about a research result that horrified you and why you were researching it.
You know, I’ve been fortunate that most of the time, I’m able to conduct my research with a research perspective. I tend to look at things as a way to learn about unusual topics and how they may affect the human body. Though, to be fair, it was kind of disturbing when I was researching how one could commit murder by using an alligator. I used the research for Panic in the Panhandle. I won’t forget it any time soon.
4. What is the funniest feedback you’ve received on your book?
I don’t know that I’ve ever received feedback that was particularly funny. That’s okay, though. Most of the comments have been very kind. I’ll that that kind of feedback any day!
5. When did you know you wanted to write mysteries/thrillers? What led you to that genre?
I was writing in another genre when I shot my mouth off in my literary agency’s group chat. I responded to a photo another author posted by saying it looked like a good setting for a murder mystery. My agent replied by challenging me to write the story, which turned into A Literal Mess, which was published in 2019. I’ve had a ball writing mysteries ever since.
J.C. Kenney is the bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour webcast. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat.
