by Peggy Jaeger
3–4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons yellow, spicy mustard
⅓ teaspoon ground red pepper
Place the ribs in a 6-quart Dutch oven and add warm water to completely cover the meat. Bring it to boiling and then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover and simmer for 2 hours or until meat, when tested, is tender.
Drain the water.
Combine the ketchup, chili sauce, molasses (or brown sugar), the lemon juice, mustard, and the red pepper.
Brush the ribs with the sauce, then place the ribs in the broiler on a broiling sheet for 12–15 minutes, turning every 2–3 minutes and re-brushing with the sauce.
Once thoroughly heated and the sauce now resembles a glaze, serve.
Cheesy Corn Frittata
A hearty breakfast for the ranch workers
8 large eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon fresh, chopped basil
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup of freshly-cut corn—uncooked
⅓ cup sliced green onions
¾ cup freshly diced tomatoes, not canned
¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
In a bowl, combine the basil and the beaten eggs.
Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet and cook the corn and green onions for approximately 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for another 4–6 minutes, stirring often. The vegetables should be tender when speared with a fork. Don’t overcook them to where they are mushy.
Pour the eggs and basil over the vegetables, stir everything together, and cook over medium heat until eggs begin to set—anywhere from 5–10 minutes depending on your stove-top settings. As the mixture begins to set, lift up the edges and tip the skillet so uncooked eggs slip under and cook directly against the heat.
When mixture is set, sprinkle with cheese and place into a broiler until the cheese is melted. This shouldn’t take more than 2–3 minutes. Serve hot.
Acknowledgments
Research is important for any writer. You want to make sure if you’re writing about a subject you give factual, constructive information to your readers. Writers can and do spend endless hours trolling the Internet, interviewing experts, and trying to corral every resource they can to make sure they get it right.
The character of Melora Stamp is probably the nearest and dearest to my heart of any character I’ve breathed life into. When I was plotting out Can’t Stand the Heat, I knew she had to have some way of connecting with Stacy as more than just a likable, snarky, intelligent teen. Giving her an eating disorder was an idea I internally battled with myself about for weeks. But, in the long run, I knew it was the right way to go. Especially when I didn’t have to go far to do any research. We all have certain issues in our lives that we’d rather not address and share with others. That’s a normal human response. No one wants to look like they have serious problems in front of other people. For me, it’s a decades-long battle with my own eating disorder and self-worth issues. The therapy instituted for Melora’s anorexia was a familiar one to me, so I felt confident in presenting it the way I have. But it’s not the only therapy that can be instituted. Therapy has to be individualized, because each person’s eating issues are individual to them and them alone. If you know someone who has issues with food, or if you do, it’s not too late to seek help and guidance. Remember: It’s never about the food alone. There is always an underlying issue that leads to an eating disorder. For Melora, it was the unexpected death of her mother and being unable to control the events that came from that: Nikko’s surgeries and hospitalizations; her thoughts that he didn’t want her to live with him. It’s never just about the food.
As always, I’d like to thank the staff at Kensignton/Lyrical Shine for making this story the best it could be, for you guidance, extreme patience, and professionalism along every step of the publishing process.
To my wonderful editor, Esi Sogah. Thanks for your brainstorming ideas about the title, your words of wisdom with plotting and editing, and your invaluable insights. You truly make my writing better with each and every book.
And, of course, to the two halves of my heart, my daughter and husband. You’ve put up with my ridiculousness for so many years that I can only assume it’s because you love me unconditionally, fat or skinny, snarky or smiling. Without the two of you I would be no one.
Want to spice things up?
Then be sure to check out the other books in the
Will Cook for Love series
COOKING WITH KANDY
And
A SHOT AT LOVE
Available now from Lyrical Shine
Wherever ebooks are sold
Sugar and spice and everything sexy make the perfect recipe for romance in this brand-new series by Peggy Jaeger. Look for exclusive recipes in each book!
Kandy Laine built her wildly popular food empire the old-fashioned way—starting with the basic ingredients of her grandmother’s recipes and flavoring it all with her particular brand of sweet spice. From her cookbooks to her hit TV show, Kandy is a kitchen queen—and suddenly someone is determined to poison her cup. With odd accidents and threatening messages piling up, strong-willed Kandy can’t protest when her team hires someone to keep her safe—but she can’t deny that the man for the job looks delicious...
Josh Keane is a private investigator, not a bodyguard. But with one eyeful of Kandy’s ebony curls and dimpled smile, he’s signing on to uncover who’s cooking up trouble for the gorgeous chef. As the attraction between them starts to simmer, it’s not easy to keep his mind on the job, but when the strange distractions turn to true danger, he’ll stop at nothing to keep Kandy safe—and show her that a future together is on the menu…
About the Author
Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance author who writes about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them.
Peggy holds a master’s degree in Nursing Administration and Geriatric Psychology and first found publication with several articles she authored on Alzheimer’s disease during her time running an Alzheimer’s inpatient care unit during the 1990s.
A lifelong and avid romance reader and writer, she is a member of RWA and her local New Hampshire RWA Chapter, where she was the 2016 Chapter Secretary.
Visit her at www.peggyjaeger.com.
