Tamela Quijas's Blog, page 4

April 2, 2012

My review of A TIME FOR LOVE by author Beth Gray

A Time for Love (Siren Publishing Allure)This week, I've picked up a new novel from my TBR pile (which keeps growing and growing!) and I can't wait to see what I'm in store for with A TIME FOR LOVE by Author BETH GRAY.


For those of you that have never picked up a Beth Gray novel, you're in for a treat.  Beth is as an award-winning novelist who lives on the beach in Florida where inspiration is only steps away.  While often found in coffee or wine shops up and down the nearby string of islands writing the next novel, Beth takes time to enjoy this paradise.  Many of the characters in the novels come from people quietly observed at these coffee and wine shops.  Yes, a good glass of wine creates many romantic twists–almost as much as the eye candy walking the beaches–well almost.

After working hard writing all day Beth loves to explore new horizons, be it cycling the trails or dancing the night away to a top salsa band performing in one of South Beach's top nightclubs.  Traveling the world also is an addiction for Beth, but it contributes to the stock of characters discovered in real life, which become heroes and heroines in future stories.

Beth belongs to the Romance Writers of America, the Florida Writers Association, and the International Travel Writers Association.


Beth Gray is the author of the Stacy McCray Series.

The Stacy McCray series is based on the life of a red-headed divorce lawyer that chases the single bar scenes in the trendy north side of Atlanta looking for new clients.

The novellas and short novels are about divorce cases Stacy is involved in, much like a Perry Mason series, but with an open view of the erotic nature involved in a divorce situation.  The two detectives, Brent and Andy, who work for her, discover interesting facts and the clients give very vivid accounts of their spouse's misadventures.  Every story includes bar scenes, sex scene of the main characters of the specific story, romantic scene involving Stacy and Brent, court scenes and investigating scenes outside the bar.  The stories generally have a good romantic ending for someone involved in the story, or at least a possibility of a good life.  The story also includes a delicate balance of humor, seriousness, and strong sexual tension.  The stories are written in first person, told by Stacy and will run anywhere from 15,000 words to 100,000 words.  I hope that the series contains something for everyone.


A TIME FOR LOVE:


When Brenda Denton's boss, J. L. Brighton, an Atlanta land developer, disappears while flying his small plane on a business trip, her world is torn apart.  She has been secretly in love with J. L. for years.  It is her hidden love that drives the rescue efforts in the hope to find him alive before an assassin finishes the job and denies her the chance to confess her love.  The personal, romantic, and business lives of J. L.'s three closest friends, a real estate agent, a stockbroker, and an insurance agent, collide as they join rescue efforts to find their friend.  While they all are experts in their professional fields, their private lives hold deep secrets.  As the sexual tensions escalate and new love interests are formed, nerves are stretched and hearts are opened.  This story of a triple romance creates unusual sexual triangles that evolve and intensify…


http://www.amazon.com/Time-Siren-Publishing-Allure-ebook/dp/B006Z9K0S2


Find out more about the author at: http://www.authorbethgray.com


My Review:


In J.L. Brighton's world, trust is something he doesn't hand out easily to just anyone.  As one of the top management consultants in the world, there is only one person whose opinion and friendship means more to J.L. than most, and the respect he feels for her has turned to a secret love.


Brenda Denton, secretary extraordinaire for the famous Mr. Brighton, loves her work…and her boss.  For ages, she fantasized about letting him know how much she loves him, but has always remained silent.


Little does she realize that the love she feels, he feels as well.


Now, it's too late for either one of them to speak of their love, because Brighton's plane is missing.


Author Beth Gray provided me with a suspenseful mystery filled with love, adventure, and some seedy characters that made me wonder who really wanted J.L. dead.  I loved the entire pretense of the story, from the secret love, the erotic fantasies that the two main characters mentally revel in, and the drama and determination of a man desperate to return to the woman he loves.


A Time for Love was one of those warm, feel good romances that I absolutely adore.  It's well worth the read, filled with unexpected twists and turns, a cast of believable characters, and the true sense of how love can come along when one least expects it.


4 ½ stars!


 


 


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Little Women (shinke.wordpress.com)


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Published on April 02, 2012 05:48

March 28, 2012

My opinion of John Carter of Mars

It's an opinion day for me.  Yes, I'm going to get on my soapbox and voice thoughts that have run through my head, and the hell with the consequences.


So, please, bear with me….


Growing up, I certainly didn't have an IPod, cable TV, or play the latest video games.  I did what most of the other kids in the neighborhood did—either played outside or read.


My reading tastes were whatever my teacher had on hand—and I loved that woman.  Mrs. Kunkel was a dear, sweet woman who was in her late 50s or early 60s.  My childhood memories can't quite remember precisely how old because, in our youth, old means old.  This teacher, though, made quite an impact on me.  After forty years, I still remember her patience, her drive to get her students to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and her sense of adventure.  She was the type of woman who would stress that we (her students) needed to grasp life with both hands and view the world as one great big adventure just waiting to be explored.


Her reading material in the classroom reflected her passion.  From the bookcase behind her desk, I discovered the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Jules Verne.  They were the epitome of adventure, of unchartered territories, and their plots and characters rivaled anything I could have ever imagined on my own.  These were the two men that I wanted to sit down and have dinner with, hanging onto their every word as I discovered what made them come up with their fascinating ideas.


Apparently, I wasn't the only one…


Disney took a massive leap this year by bringing Burroughs's series of John Carter to the big screen.  In my opinion, the movie stayed faithfully close to the book, and it took my breath away–the imagination from my youth exploding in precisely the way that I imagined when I read the tale so many years ago.


I was hooked, but my sons were a bit leery.  They had never heard of Burroughs beyond the Tarzan legend and their overall mindset was that this film was going to be absolutely boring.


Out came my collection of time-worn novels, dog-eared to the point most librarians would have slammed a ruler against my knuckles.


Before John Carter of Mars is bashed for its outdated ideas, the viewer has to know the tale, and appreciate the idea behind the erstwhile explorer.


Burroughs wrote the John Carter of Mars series back in 1911!  Perhaps it's too much for people to realize that Mars was just a distant star in the sky, unexplored, and filled with intrigue and mystery.  One man, Burroughs, gave the planet life in a way that defied the imagination of our ancestors while providing them with adventure, shock, awe, and half-naked women.


Was it a best-seller?  Of course!  In a world where women still wore dresses that covered very inch of their body and corsets that defined the 'proper' female body, the image of a scantily dressed Dejah Thoris ran rampant through the male mind.  Aliens, creatures that battled with the glory of the ancient Romans, resembled a nightmare creation of numerous arms and scaly green skin.


Somewhere, I suspect there were women that secretly read the novel, swooning over the dashing civil war captain as he (bare-chested) rallied to save the princess and her kingdom from evil.


In my opinion, Disney brought John Carter of Mars to amazing life.  They succeeded in interpreting the wonders of the century old novel with amazing insight, and my childhood imagination clapped with glee.  They couldn't have picked a better time, either, considering Mars is currently a brightly glittering star that hangs heavy in our nighttime sky this year.


Unfortunately, since the film lacks x-wings, an over-glorification of blood and gore, or a more modern theme, I don't believe the youth of today will find John Carter as fascinating.


5 stars to Disney for making me remember my childhood.


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Published on March 28, 2012 05:26

March 27, 2012

A Touch of Hollywood….

When I began researching the history of Hollywood for Tears of Blood, I was amazed by how much the films that have graced the silver screen influence or reflect our lives.  Some are classics that simply make us laugh, or they're referenced in more modern scripts, which leaves me to explain why there's a girl with braids running down a beach and a rather homely man running toward her.


Many of these films have been redone lately and re-introduced to an entirely new viewing audience, but there are those of us that remember the original fondly.


One of those films was Arthur, which starred Russell Brand.  The remake was…fun, but it didn't match the same flash and style that the original film from 1981.  Brand's talented but, in my opinion, he lacked the necessary charisma to pull off the character.


Perhaps it was the star from that original film that won my heart.  Quite honestly, I loved Dudley Moore's quirky humor, and the way he could look into the camera and you could 'see' the little devil lingering behind his eyes.  He could make the audience laugh and cry, as well as sympathize for a useless bounder that had nothing better to do with his life except drink.


Dudley Moore had charm that oozed from every inch of his diminutive body.  Besides being a star in his home country, he was big in the U.S., and filmed some hilariously classic comedies of the 1970s and 80s.  Among those was 10  (with Bo Derek), Arthur (1981), Micki + Maude (1984), Crazy People (1990) and many others.


On this day in 2002, Hollywood and the world lost Dudley Moore to a degenerative brain disorder.


His final words were "I can hear the music all around me…."



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Published on March 27, 2012 05:20

March 26, 2012

What am I reading this week? A TIME FOR LOVE by author Beth Gray

A Time for Love (Siren Publishing Allure)This week, I've picked up a new novel from my TBR pile (which keeps growing and growing!) and I can't wait to see what I'm in store for with A TIME FOR LOVE by Author BETH GRAY.


For those of you that have never picked up a Beth Gray novel, you're in for a treat.  Beth is as an award-winning novelist who lives on the beach in Florida where inspiration is only steps away.  While often found in coffee or wine shops up and down the nearby string of islands writing the next novel, Beth takes time to enjoy this paradise.  Many of the characters in the novels come from people quietly observed at these coffee and wine shops.  Yes, a good glass of wine creates many romantic twists–almost as much as the eye candy walking the beaches–well almost.

After working hard writing all day Beth loves to explore new horizons, be it cycling the trails or dancing the night away to a top salsa band performing in one of South Beach's top nightclubs.  Traveling the world also is an addiction for Beth, but it contributes to the stock of characters discovered in real life, which become heroes and heroines in future stories.

Beth belongs to the Romance Writers of America, the Florida Writers Association, and the International Travel Writers Association.


Beth Gray is the author of the Stacy McCray Series.

The Stacy McCray series is based on the life of a red-headed divorce lawyer that chases the single bar scenes in the trendy north side of Atlanta looking for new clients.

The novellas and short novels are about divorce cases Stacy is involved in, much like a Perry Mason series, but with an open view of the erotic nature involved in a divorce situation.  The two detectives, Brent and Andy, who work for her, discover interesting facts and the clients give very vivid accounts of their spouse's misadventures.  Every story includes bar scenes, sex scene of the main characters of the specific story, romantic scene involving Stacy and Brent, court scenes and investigating scenes outside the bar.  The stories generally have a good romantic ending for someone involved in the story, or at least a possibility of a good life.  The story also includes a delicate balance of humor, seriousness, and strong sexual tension.  The stories are written in first person, told by Stacy and will run anywhere from 15,000 words to 100,000 words.  I hope that the series contains something for everyone.


A TIME FOR LOVE:


When Brenda Denton's boss, J. L. Brighton, an Atlanta land developer, disappears while flying his small plane on a business trip, her world is torn apart.  She has been secretly in love with J. L. for years.  It is her hidden love that drives the rescue efforts in the hope to find him alive before an assassin finishes the job and denies her the chance to confess her love.  The personal, romantic, and business lives of J. L.'s three closest friends, a real estate agent, a stockbroker, and an insurance agent, collide as they join rescue efforts to find their friend.  While they all are experts in their professional fields, their private lives hold deep secrets.  As the sexual tensions escalate and new love interests are formed, nerves are stretched and hearts are opened.  This story of a triple romance creates unusual sexual triangles that evolve and intensify…


http://www.amazon.com/Time-Siren-Publishing-Allure-ebook/dp/B006Z9K0S2


Find out more about the author at: http://www.authorbethgray.com


Stay tuned for my review this week :)


 


 


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Published on March 26, 2012 12:33

March 16, 2012

Food Friday and Easter is just around the corner!

Spring has announced its imminent arrival in full force in the Southwest.  How do I know this, you might ask, since it is only the beginning of March?  Easy, darling.  The plants and fruit trees are blooming, my roses hold distinct promise, I'm already shooing wild rabbits out of my yard, and the wind gusts have hit 45 m.p.h.  I was once asked to describe what a wind gust was like, out in this portion of Texas, and I could only come up with one description.


Have you ever seen the bit in the movie, The Mummy, where Imhotep summons the forces of the desert winds to kill the hero, Rick?  A towering mountain of thick sand rises on the horizon, choking the air from the atmosphere and shrouding everything in a sandblast of torrential earth.  Well, dear, that's the best way to describe our winds.  As my son says, 'if it ain't bolted down, it'll be in Houston by the end of the evening.'  He's probably right, as I watch plastic bags fly high in our gray/brown sky.


Anyways, while I'm stuck indoors, I'm considering my up-coming Easter Menu.  The usual will decorate the table–ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, chile con queso, tostadas, corn, fried sweet potatoes, deviled and pickled eggs, and this little delight.  Capirotada is a staple for Lent and is similar to the American Version of Bread Pudding, with slight alterations.


                        MEXICAN BREAD PUDDING (CAPIROTADA)


To my standards, I have found this to be a very strange version of bread pudding.  Many Latinos, as well, find it an odd dessert and prefer the American styled bread pudding.  We all have a food like this in each and every one of our cultures.  You know, the food that we really don't care for but when homesickness hits, we're are all on the phone with grandma and begging for the recipe.  I had lapsed over the last few years, and had skipped over making this for the holidays.  Last week, my mother-in-law invited up over for a freshly baked Capirotada and I felt as if the angel's had begun to sing a glorious choir as I took my first bite.  The dish was a steaming concoction that brought tears to my eyes and pleasure to my taste buds!


This is usually served over the Easter season.


3 teaspoons of cloves


Butter


1 cup of raisins (golden and regular)


1 loaf of stale bread


1/2 cup of chopped almonds, pinon nuts, or walnuts


2 1/2 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese


3 tablespoons ground cinnamon


3 cups of brown sugar


1 quart of water


7 ounces of shredded coconut


1 cup of peeled, chopped fresh apple


Non-pariels for garnish


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a large 2-quart pan, on low, bring to a low boil the water.  Add the cinnamon, cloves and brown sugar to the slowly boiling water.


Simmer the sugar mixture for 15 minutes, continuously stirring, until the brown sugar mix becomes the consistency of syrup.  Remove the sugar syrup from the heat.


Butter a 9×13 baking dish.  Tear the bread into bite size pieces and spread evenly into the greased casserole dish.  Pour 3 tablespoons of the melted butter over the torn bread pieces.  Sprinkle the torn bread evenly with the nuts, the chopped apple, the shredded coconut, and the raisins.


Stir the cooled sugar syrup.  Pour roughly 4 cups of the cooled sugar syrup over the torn bread, or until the bread is soaked but not drowning in syrup.  Top the torn bread and syrup concoction evenly with the shredded cheese.  Sprinkle with non-pariels.


Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil.


Place casserole dish on a baking sheet.  Bake casserole for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cool for 15 minutes and serve with whipped cream.


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Published on March 16, 2012 05:16

March 15, 2012

What films remind you of the 1970s?

[image error]Deny it all you want, but we've all seen a clip of this movie series at one time or another in our lives.  Mostly, I can admit, I've seen the films as I've flipped through TV channels.  Every time, I keep telling myself I'm not going to allow myself to become hooked, but it's a losing battle.  I can't win in a house where I'm surrounded by the male species, and the phrase "and you do not even think to call me godfather", echoes from the mouths of the young and old alike.


Forty years ago, a young director took a chance on a best-selling book, making phrases like the one above an epic reflection of the film.  Watching it now, I can't believe how classic the photography is, and how eloquently the author's  (Mario Puzo) story was crafted for the viewing audience.  The movie is timeless and, when I look onto the faces of actors that have gone on to other works, I have to smile at the youth I see so eagerly displayed.  Marlon Brando, a young and bright-eyed Al Pacino, a handsome James Caan, the ever serious Robert Duvall,  and the innocent Diane Keaton graced the silver screen for our viewing pleasure, and every moment drew us deeper into the drama of the Corleone family.


On this day, in 1972, The Godfather opened at the theater.


On a side note, my favorite Film Critic Leonard Maltin since Siskel & Ebert has released a fantastic list of films that should be on any movie film buff's list–how many have you seen?


1970s


The Godfather


Mean Streets


The Godfather, Part II


The Conversation


Blazing Saddles


Jaws


Nashville


Annie Hall


Star Wars


The Deer Hunter


Apocalypse Now


 


Find out more about Mr. Maltin's list at: http://www.filmsite.org/maltin.html


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Published on March 15, 2012 06:00

March 13, 2012

Book Review: Connections of the Mind by Roseanne Dowell

I've a novel on my reading list this week that involves dream invasions of a sort, where the main characters dreams are shared with someone else, and the pain felt within them is very, very real!  Connections of the Mind promises to be something that might keep me awake at night!


Connections of the MindConnections of the Mind is written by Roseanne Dowell.  Ms. Dowell warmly allowed her readers a bit of insight into her life via Goodreads:


As the second youngest of six children, I always had a vivid imagination and loved to make up stories. I often sat and daydreamed about imaginary characters and lost myself in books and make-believe worlds. My love of writing began as a teenager, but it wasn't until recent years that I pursued it seriously. With encouragement from fellow book-club members, NEORWA and my husband, I began writing and submitting my work. Although Satin Sheets was my first published novel, I have over forty articles and stories published in magazines such as Good Old Days, Nostalgia, and Ohio Writer along with several online publications. Besides teaching three writing courses for Long Story School of Writing, I taught a writing course at Cuyahoga Community College. My next book, Time to Live Again will be out March 11, 2010 with Red Rose Publishing. In my spare time, I enjoys spending time with my six children and thirteen grandchildren. My hobbies include ceramics, knitting, quilting, and jewelry making. But after my family, my first love is writing. I live with my husband of forty-seven years in Northeast Ohio. You can visit my website at: http://www.roseannedowell.com


Connections of the Mind


Strange, realistic dreams and visions disrupt Rebecca Brennan's life, especially when she actually feels someone's pain.  Determined to find who shares her mind, Rebecca takes a leave of absence from work to search for her mind connection.


Pick up your copy at: http://www.amazon.com/Connections-of-the-Mind-ebook/dp/B005LDCCTI


MY REVIEW:


There's a link between some people that borders on the unbelievable, where every ounce of pain and every emotion can be felt and experienced by another, even though many miles might separate them…


In Roseanne Dowell's Connections of the Mind, Rebecca Brennan's life is disrupted by strange and realistic dreams.  Her friend, Allison, forces her to see a parapsychologist, convinced that Rebecca is delving into the realm of psychic phenomenon, where she's forced to recount the dreams she experiences.  The dreams are what held my attention, precise down to the point where she knew she could recognize the location of her nightly visions if she were to see them in person…


Rebecca knows she has to find what (or who!) is haunting her dreams, calling out to her, and she takes a two-week vacation to discover the truth.


Connections of the Mind is one of those wonderful tales that brings the reader back into a realm where, even with the touch of paranormal, there is that warm fuzzy feeling that wraps around your heart.  Ms Dowell writes a magnificently vivid story that pulls the reader into Rebecca's world, and draws them on the hunt for the person that leads them through a beautifully described town and local population that leaps from the pages with amazing life.


I loved every word written, and recommend this story to anyone looking for a romance novel that leaves the reader feeling completely satisfied by the turn of events.


4 wonderful stars.


 


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Published on March 13, 2012 23:53

Book Review: Making it Real by Victoria Blisse

This week, I'm so pleased to have a return author at my site!  For those of you that love Erotica novels that really make a room's temperature skyrocket, then you have to get your hands on Victoria Blisse's books.


I spent the week researching how many steamy, sizzling romances Ms. Blisse has out on Amazon and found that my TBR pile has grown by over 47 books!Image of Victoria Blisse


This extremely talented author tells her readers that she is a mother, wife, Christian, Manchester United Fan (YEAH!)  and an award-winning Erotica Authoress.
She's equally at home behind her sizzling laptop, or a cooker, and she loves to create–anything from stories,poems, cakes and biscuits that make people happy.  She was born near Manchester, England and her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her fabulous stories!
Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.

Victoria invites all fans of heart stopping erotica to drop by her site at: http://www.victoriablisse.co.uk


 Now on to Making it Real!

Making It Real


He's her secret fantasy, but can she turn her dreams into reality? Mary loves the internet but is surprised to find herself falling in love over it. Will is a mysterious, sexy American she meets on a forum and soon it becomes apparent they have Chemistry. Part time waitress and full time author Mary is thrilled to find out her online crush is visiting England on business and plans to seduce him but will the heat that freely flows from monitor to monitor be present in the cold reality of Manchester in winter?

Stay tuned for my review later this week and, if you can't wait, Pick up your copy at:
http://www.amazon.com/Making-It-Real-ebook/dp/B005F0484Y

My Review:

Victoria Blisse…what can I say about this author that devoted fans and readers alike haven't thought at one time or another?  My take on the wonderfully erotic and sexually thrilling novels that flow from her hand…there's enough steam to set my computer on fire!


Making it Real is the latest wonder that has crossed my desk and I have to say I was not disappointed.  After reading Scentsual, I wondered whether Ms. Blisse could pen another novel as wonderfully explicit and tantalizing as that particular one, and she managed to top it with a tale that begins with an amazing online journey into love and lust.


Told in first person, Making it real delves into the world of cyber-sex, and the persona that people develop in a clandestine world where everything goes.  The physical world heats up in a way one could only imagine when two extremely delicious people decide to forgo the computer and meet in person.


Ms. Blisse's writing allows the reader to slip into the life of the main character (Mary), and experience everything she feels and does in an exacting way.


Sultry, sexy, and oh-so-wild, the characters of William and Mary are deliciously wicked and make the reader crave even more from this fantastic author.


5 stars!


 




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Published on March 13, 2012 13:27

March 5, 2012

What am I reading this week? Making it Real by Victoria Blisse

This week, I'm so pleased to have a return author at my site!  For those of you that love Erotica novels that really make a room's temperature skyrocket, then you have to get your hands on Victoria Blisse's books.


I spent the week researching how many steamy, sizzling romances Ms. Blisse has out on Amazon and found that my TBR pile has grown by over 47 books!Image of Victoria Blisse


This extremely talented author tells her readers that she is a mother, wife, Christian, Manchester United Fan (YEAH!)  and an award-winning Erotica Authoress.
She's equally at home behind her sizzling laptop, or a cooker, and she loves to create–anything from stories,poems, cakes and biscuits that make people happy.  She was born near Manchester, England and her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her fabulous stories!
Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.

Victoria invites all fans of heart stopping erotica to drop by her site at: http://www.victoriablisse.co.uk


 Now on to Making it Real!
Making It Real
He's her secret fantasy, but can she turn her dreams into reality? Mary loves the internet but is surprised to find herself falling in love over it. Will is a mysterious, sexy American she meets on a forum and soon it becomes apparent they have Chemistry. Part time waitress and full time author Mary is thrilled to find out her online crush is visiting England on business and plans to seduce him but will the heat that freely flows from monitor to monitor be present in the cold reality of Manchester in winter?

Stay tuned for my review later this week and, if you can't wait, Pick up your copy at:
http://www.amazon.com/Making-It-Real-ebook/dp/B005F0484Y

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Published on March 05, 2012 05:32

March 2, 2012

It's Food Friday!

Pasta is a feature of the Argentine cuisine

Image via Wikipedia


I salute all of you that are braving the freezing temperatures back East and hope sunshine will be soon headed your way.  I thought I would share with you a recipe that is frugal and satisfying for the entire family.


When the weather is cold, I enjoy serving a delicious and hot plate of Spaghetti for the family.  I tweaked this recipe a few years ago, while learning to stretch a few pounds of hamburger while on a strict budget.  It can still bring down the house, and is simple to make with basic ingredients most of us have in our pantry.


3 lbs lean ground hamburger meat or lean ground turkey


3 washed, peeled and diced carrots


3 washed, trimmed and diced celery


2 Tablespoon of chopped garlic


1 onion, peeled and finely chopped


Cook the meat on low heat in a large Dutch oven, crumbling the meat as it browns.  While the meat cooks, wash and finely dice the carrots, celery, and onion.  When the meat longer pink, drain the excess oil and add the chopped carrots, celery, onion and garlic.  Cover and continue to cook on low heat for a half hour or until vegetables become soft.


Then add:


2 cans tomato paste


2 Tablespoon powdered chicken bouillon


2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce


2 Tablespoons of dried Italian seasoning


Garlic Powder


Salt and pepper to taste


2 cups of water


Stir the tomato paste, chicken bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper into the ground beef mixture.  Slowly add 2 cups of water, stirring well to blend everything, then cover.  Continue to cook, covered, for four hours on a very low simmer.  Stir the meat sauce occasionally to prevent scorching and to incorporate the flavors.  (This can also be done in a crock-pot set on low for six to eight hours)


After the allotted time has passed, sauté in a separate pan:


1 Tablespoon of butter, melted


2 Tablespoons of flour


Stir until the mixture resembles a fine paste, and then slowly add:


2 cups of water


Continue stirring on medium-low heat until the mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook at a slow simmer for 3 minutes.  This flour and water sauce will thicken to the consistency of a thick gravy.


Slowly add the gravy like mixture to simmering spaghetti sauce.  Stir continuously until the mixture is well blended and begins to thicken, and then stir for an extra two minutes.


Simmer the spaghetti sauce, stirring occasionally, for an additional half-hour.


Season to taste again before serving over pasta.  Serve with salad and a good, fresh French bread and a salad.


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Published on March 02, 2012 06:21

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