Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books) Quotes

“Fresh Pasta Dough Recipe INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ cups flour ½ cup semolina flour (pasta flour) 2 whole eggs, at room temperature 3 egg yolks, at room temperature DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and the semolina. Create a well in the center and add the eggs and egg yolks. Using a fork, break up the eggs then gradually start to draw flour from the edges of the well into the mixture. If the dough gets too firm to mix with the fork switch to mixing with your hands. Continue to work in flour until the dough no longer sticks to your hands; you may not need to incorporate all of the flour. (I used a bit more than what the recipe called for.) Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes or until it is smooth and pliable. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and allow to rest for at least 30 minutes. If using a pasta roller: Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Starting with the machine set to the widest setting, pass the dough through the rollers. Fold the dough into thirds and pass it through again 2 more times. Continue passing the pasta through the machine, reducing the setting a few notches each time. You may need to dust a bit with flour if the dough sticks to the rollers at all. Once you reach your desired thickness, use the cutting attachment to cut the pasta sheet into fettuccine. Dust the cut pasta with more flour to prevent sticking and repeat with the remaining dough. If using a rolling pin: Divide the dough in half. Dust your surface with flour and sprinkle generously on your rolling pin. *Roll out the dough as thin and as evenly possible, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. Use a paring knife (a pizza cutter works great!) to cut your dough into even ribbons, then set aside, dusting the cut pasta with more flour. Repeat with the remaining dough. (At this point, the pasta can be transferred to a sealable plastic bag and frozen for up to 3 months; do not defrost before cooking.) Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water, checking for doneness after just 1 minute; fresh pasta cooks very quickly. As soon as it is al dente, no more than 3 or 4 minutes, drain, reserving some of the cooking water if desired for saucing the pasta. Toss with your sauce, loosen with some of the reserved cooking water as needed and serve immediately. *Note:  You must get the dough as thin as possible and cut them into small strips, otherwise, it will be too thick and end up having the texture of dumplings.”
― Hope Callaghan, Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books)

“Recipe: The Ghost Roast Restaurant – Marinara Sauce Ingredients: 2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian stewed tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 clove garlic, minced
1/8 cup green olives, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup finely diced onion
  Directions: In a food processor place Italian tomatoes, tomato paste, minced garlic, minced green olives, oregano, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the finely chopped onion in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the blended tomato sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Can be served as marinara sauce or as pasta sauce.”
― Hope Callaghan, Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books)

“You wouldn’t happen to know Elvira Cobb, would you? She lives on the east side, somewhere in your area.” Mercedes snorted. “Yes, we…we know Elvira.” “That woman is a royal pain in the rump,” Claryce said. “She’s always trying to bum a free ride on the trolleys.” “Imagine that,” Carlita murmured. “I’m not surprised.” “We had a few words last time she was on my route. She began interrogating a couple of the riders. I warned her to knock it off and she had the nerve to file a complaint against me.”
― Hope Callaghan, Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books)

“Tuscan Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Ingredients: 2 large skinless boneless chicken breasts pounded to 1-inch thickness (or 4 boneless and skinless chicken thigh fillets)
Salt and pepper, to season
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 teaspoons olive or canola oil, divided per directions
2 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion chopped
6 cloves garlic, finely diced
1/3 cup chicken broth
4 oz (250g) sun dried tomato strips in oil (reserve 1 tablespoon of oil)
4 level tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
3 cups milk OR light cream
2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
10 ounces (3 cups) elbow macaroni uncooked (3 cups)
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded (or use six cheese Italian)
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped Directions: -Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika and 2 teaspoons of the oil. Heat the remaining oil in a large pot or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden brown, cooked through and no longer pink in the middle. Transfer chicken to a warm plate, tent with foil and set aside. -Using the same pan, add the butter and fry the onion and garlic until the onion becomes transparent, stirring occasionally (about 2 minutes). Pour in the 1/3 cup chicken broth and allow to simmer for 5 minutes, or until beginning to reduce down.  -Add the sun dried tomatoes, along with 1 tablespoons of the sun dried tomato oil from the jar. Cook for 2-3 minutes.  -Stir the flour into the pot. Blend well. -Add the broth, 2-1/2 cups of milk (cream or half and half), herbs, salt and pepper, and bring to a low simmer.  -Add the uncooked macaroni and stir occasionally as it comes to a simmer. Reduce to medium low heat and stir regularly while it cooks (roughly 10 minutes), or until the sauce thickens and the macaroni is just cooked (al dente: tender but still firm).  -Remove pot from stove and immediately stir in all of the cheeses. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce it too thick, add the remaining 1/2 cup milk (or cream) in 1/4 cup increments, until reaching desired thickness. -Slice the chicken into strips and stir through the pasta (pour in any juices left from the chicken). -Sprinkle with basil, stir thoroughly and serve.”
― Hope Callaghan, Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books)

“Mrs. O’Brien’s Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Ingredients: 5 cups mashed, boiled potatoes (could be reduced to 4 cups)*
1/2 cup sour cream
2 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1 pound ground lamb (We substituted ground chicken. You could also use ground beef or turkey.)
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (16 ounce) can stewed tomatoes with juice, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 small carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
1 cup Irish stout beer (such as Guinness(R))
1 cube beef bouillon (we used chicken bouillon)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (optional) *
1 tsp. liquid smoke (optional) * Directions: -Stir cooked potatoes, sour cream, cream cheese, 1 tablespoon butter, egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper together in a bowl until smooth. -Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add ground lamb (or meat). Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Pour off excess grease and season meat with salt and black pepper to taste. -Add stewed tomatoes with juice, onion, and carrot into meat mixture; Stir and simmer until vegetables are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add peas; reduce heat to low and continue cooking, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes. -Add one teaspoon of liquid smoke to meat mixture. Mix thoroughly. -Heat beer in a saucepan over medium heat; add (beef) bouillon cube. Cook and stir beer mixture until bouillon dissolves, about 5 minutes. - Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a separate pan over medium-low heat. Whisk flour into butter until it thickens, about 1 minute. -Stir beer mixture and Worcestershire sauce into flour mixture until gravy is smooth and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir gravy into meat mixture and simmer until mixture thickens, at least 5 minutes. -Set top oven rack roughly 6 inches from the oven broiler and preheat the broiler. Grease a 9x12-inch baking dish. - Pour (meat) mixture into the prepared baking dish. -Spoon mashed potatoes over (meat) mixture, covering like a crust. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and paprika evenly over mashed potatoes. -Broil in the preheated oven until the crust browns and the cheese is melted, 4 to 5 minutes. -Cool for about 5 minutes before serving. NOTES: We thought the smoked paprika added little flavor to the original recipe.  We added liquid smoke to the meat and it gave it a nice smoky flavor. Next time, we’ll reduce the amount of mashed potatoes to four cups.  We thought the layer of potatoes was a little too thick. (But if you love mashed potatoes, five cups would work ☺  )”
― Hope Callaghan, Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books)

“Carlita’s Homemade Minestrone Soup Recipe Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. Italian sausage, sliced thin (we used turkey sausage)
1 cup diced yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups finely shredded carrots
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 small zucchini, cubed
16-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
16-oz can cut green beans (optional)
2 – 16 oz. containers of beef OR chicken stock
3 cups finely chopped cabbage
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
16-oz can Great Northern Beans, undrained Directions:
Brown sausage, onion and garlic in oil.
Stir in carrots and Italian spice blend. Cook for 5 minutes.
Add zucchini, tomatoes, beef stock, cabbage, salt and pepper.  Bring soup to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
Add Great Northern beans and green beans, and cook another 20 minutes.
Sprinkle parsley and Parmesan cheese over soup in serving bowls.”
― Hope Callaghan, Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Novels Box Set (The First 10 Books)