Monday, October 12, 2015

Fran's Yummy Baked #Apple #Recipe from DRAPE EXPECTATIONS by Karen Rose Smith





In the fall, the foods I cook and bake start changing from those I make in the summer.  I try new soup and casserole recipes in main courses and turn to spices I love best for baking.  One of my favorite spices is cinnamon.  I use it in this apple casserole. This casserole can be served as a side dish with dinner or for dessert.  I developed this recipe for my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery DRAPE EXPECTATIONS.  My sleuth and her family like to cook as much as I do.  There are recipes included in each novel.  Enjoy Fran's Yummy Baked Cinnamon Apples! 


Fran's Yummy Baked Cinnamon Apples       

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

6 cups sliced apples (I use Granny Smith!)
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup water

Slice apples and measure into a large bowl. Pour 1/4 cup water into 2 quart casserole.  I use one with a lid. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon and flour in a small dish, then pour over the sliced apples and coat them.  Blend in walnuts.  Pour all into the casserole. Slice the butter into thin pats on top. Cover the casserole.

Bake at 350 degrees about 45-50 minutes until apples are tender and can be pierced easily with a fork. Stir the apples before serving to coat more evenly in the cinnamon syrup.


Makes 4-6 servings, depending on how much your guests like apples!  And for dessert, you can top the apples with whipped cream or ice cream. YUM.

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DRAPE EXPECTATIONS, Book 4



Caprice De Luca's former client and now friend Ace Richland--an 80's rock star--asks her for a favor.  Can she quickly stage his girlfriend's house to sell?  Widow Alanna Goodwin, a transplanted Southern beauty, will be moving in with him!  Immediately Caprice realizes Alanna's southern charm can be turned on and off at will.  Caprice agrees to stage Alanna's Kismet antebellum-styled mansion for Ace's sake.  But she soon learns Alanna doesn't have a genuine love for her cat Mirabelle and also uncovers a plot her new client is hatching to sabotage Ace's comeback.  However, before she can tell Ace, Alanna is murdered and Ace is the prime suspect.  

As Caprice investigates, she learns Alanna had more secrets than pie safes.  With her Cocker Spaniel Lady by her side, she tracks down clues and adopts Alanna's cat.  In the midst of some of her own family upheaval--her uncle has moved in with her parents--she finds herself with a dilemma.  Grant Weatherford, her brother's law partner, advises Ace and reveals more of his past to her.  Seth Randolph, the doctor she dates, wants her to meet his family.  She must choose between them.

Danger stalks Caprice.  Will her refresher self-defense course save her life?  Only if she keeps her wits about her and Lady by her side.




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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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©2015 Karen Rose Smith








2 comments:

Between the Pages with Katrina said...

Karen, this looks both easy and yummy. I can't wait to try it. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings

Jeanie Jackson said...

Love baked apples and loved Drape Expectations. All the wonderful warmth of you writing and a wonderful plot that left me wondering until the end!