By Phyliss Miranda
Between the great autumn fever blogs our Fillies did last week and the weather turning cooler, making the leaves turn to beautiful hues of fall, I can’t help but think about some of the things I like to do in the autumn.
I don’t go out as much this time of the year, so I love to bake and read. As I’ve said before, and those who have read any of my Kasota Springs contemporary western romances know, I also include a recipe in each book. It’s always one of my family favorites; and, two of my characters, Lola Ruth and Granny Johnson, use it in the book. Of interest, Lola Ruth got her name from my mother, Ruth, and my mother-in-law, Lola; while Granny Johnson got her name from well … my own beloved Granny Johnson. My Granny Johnson’s Chocolate Cake receipt and the history behind it’s five generations is in The Troubled Texan, which is the first of the Kasota Springs books.
Sylvie’s story, which I’m writing now, has a twist and I’ll be using more recipes. Just gotta wait to read the book to see what twist I give to recipes and characters. But, I’ll give you all a hint. They all come from readers and school teachers.
With cold nights and cool days, I love to read and drink something hot in the evening, so I thought I’d share with you a great recipe. It’ll definitely be in the book. You can prepare this Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix for yourself or it’d be a great holiday gift. It’s easy and quick to fix.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
2 cups Confectioners Sugar
1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 cups Powdered Milk or to cut calories use Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
Instructions: In a large bowl, sift the confectioner’s sugar and cocoa. Stir in the powdered milk and whisk well.
You can add miniature marshmallows to the mixture if you’d like. Drop in a few chocolate chips to make it even more rich. When ready to use, mix ½ cup hot water with ½ cup cocoa mix, stir and enjoy.
If you have small kids or just want something special for yourself, make Red Velvet Hot Chocolate, by adding red gel food coloring; and dip the rim of your favorite cup in sprinkles. Use gel instead of regular food coloring, since it’ll give the drink a darker red look. I can see this being a really fun treat during the Christmas season.
So what is your favorite drink during cold weather?
To one reader who leaves a comment today, I will give you an eBook copy of Out of a Texas Night.
nion army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected. He’s come to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother. Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children.
Thank you so much for visiting and talking about the Code of West, Mike!
Kasota Springs stories I always use a family recipe for one of my characters, particularly Lola Ruth Hicks, who is the cook and the cement that holds the Jacks Bluff Ranch together. I then give the complete recipe, plus a little bit of my family history behind it at the back of the book.
