Saturday, July 11, 2015

Summer Secrets #Review & #Giveaway! Jane Green Cookbook!


I had personally never read a book like this one before. Jane Green is a well known author but one that I hadn't actually picked up and read through one of her novels, front to back. So when I was given the chance to check one out as well as hold a giveaway for a copy of the same book, I was pretty excited:)  Summer Secrets is a fun beach read that I quickly got through. I think I will be keeping an eye out for her upcoming cookbook as it will have a ton of southern down-home recipes. One of which I was allowed to share with you all below:)



Summer Secrets tells the story of Cat, a woman who is a recovering alcoholic and had her marriage lost because of it. There are several parts that are flashbacks where we see big choices that were made in her past and the consequences that arise from them. She has a daughter and a best friend, but she is also trying to keep from falling in love with her ex-husband. I don't want to give away too much of the story, otherwise you won't go buy it, but it was interesting and well written. The only worries I had with it include the language(there are plenty of swear words interspersed throughout the story) and that the one man is a gay guy. Just a heads up for those of you who might not want that type of thing.

So for those of you who are avid Jane Green readers, have you heard about her upcoming cookbook, Good Taste, Good Food, A Good Life? She started a Kickstarter fundraiser and within 5 days it was completely funded!! I couldn't believe it when I heard about how quickly the money was raised. Anyways, check out the recipe below from the new cookbook that I was able to give you all a sneak peak of.

Good Taste Sneak Peek: Shrimp Cakes

Shrimp Cakes:


None of us are big fish eaters. Although I will often choose salmon on a menu, and while I can't say I hate it, I’d much rather be tucking into pork. I choose it mostly because it makes me feel virtuous.
My children appear to have inherited my lack of allegiance to all things from the ocean. That said, we once went for a walk along the beach at low tide and stumbled upon thousands of mussels on the rocks, just waiting to be harvested and steamed in garlic and white wine. What was a girl to do other than stop a passing dog-walker and request a spare blue plastic bag normally used for other things, fill the bag, and all our pockets, with dozens of mussels. The children were thrilled at the free food we were gathering and later cooking ourselves, and the mussels were amongst the best I have ever had. Other than that, and occasional smoked salmon, the only seafood they really look forward to is shrimp. Heaven forbid we put out a shrimp platter for a cocktail party if the Smalls are home. Within ten short minutes it has been demolished. Similarly, these shrimp cakes satisfy them in every way, and best of all there is no flour necessary to bind them together. I have no idea why shrimp sticks together so willingly, but am very happy it does. 
Ingredients: 
1 lb. raw shrimp, roughly chopped
1/4 cup coconut milk 
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro 
Minced jalapeno/Thai pepper 
6 Scallions 
Knob of 1” Ginger, grated
Coconut oil to fry
For dipping sauce: 
1 clove garlic, minced 
1/2 cup sour cream or crème fraiche 
Salt and pepper
Method: 
Pulse 2 tablespoons of cilantro, shrimp, coconut milk, jalapeno, scallions, and ginger until combined but still chunky. 
Form into balls and flatten about halfway with your palms. 
Fry in melted coconut oil about 3 minutes on each side.
To make dipping sauce combine remaining cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper with crème fraiche or sour cream.
Anyone interested in winning a copy of Summer Secrets? Giveaway is open to the US only. Random.org will choose the winner and they will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Giveaway will end 7/21.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

4 comments:

Linda Kish said...

I read Jemima J and loved it.

Ann Summerville said...

The name sounds familiar and I think I may have read something by her but can't think what it was.
Ann

DEBIJOT said...

I have not read any of her books yet.

Anonymous said...

Yes I have read some of her books : Family Pictures, Another Piece of My Heart, Saving Grace, and some others. She is a GREAT author!

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com

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