Sunday, December 22, 2013

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This is really just an ingredient list and a few instructions.

Sweet potatoes
Onions (regular or spring), chopped
Mushrooms, chopped
Spinach, chopped
Sharp cheese, grated
Sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil or butter

Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, wrap in foil, and bake until done.  Scoop the flesh out into a bowl, being careful not to tear the skins, which are quite fragile. Put the skins in a baking pan. I didn't grease the pan, but it wouldn't hurt to do so.

Look at the amount of sweet potato and take a guess at how much onion and mushroom to use. For three medium sweet potatoes, I used maybe half an onion and several mushrooms. Saute the onions and mushrooms in oil or butter.

As for the spinach, it wilts down to almost nothing, so use lots of it. Add to the onions and mushrooms and saute until the spinach is wilted.

Turn off the heat and mix in a dollop or so of sour cream and some grated cheese. I add quite a bit of cheese, but this is a matter of taste (well, so is everything else in this recipe). Sharp cheddar is good, but other sharp cheeses work well, too. Add the mixture to the sweet potato flesh. Season to taste, bearing in mind that the cheese has some salt in it. 

Fill the skins with the mixture and sprinkle some grated cheese on top. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. I usually cover them for the first 15 or 20 minutes...it depends on how moist you want them. I tried this recipe once with regular potatoes. They aren't as moist as sweet potatoes, so I think more fat and sour cream would be needed and maybe even a little milk or water...

Sorry, no picture... Maybe next time. 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

My Contest is Today!!

It's Harlequin Historical Giveaway time! Every year, a group of Harlequin Historical authors hold a series of individual contests in the weeks leading to Christmas. Each author offers her own prizes, and there's a Grand Prize at the end. This year, it's a Kindle Fire HDX WiFi tablet!
 
Today, December 5th, is my contest day. I'm giving away a $25 gift certificate to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, a paperback copy of the anthology A Scandalous Regency Christmas, and a pair of Christmas socks (because I love buying socks, and I have too many of my own). To enter my contest, to to my website (http://www.BarbaraMonajem.com). There you will be directed to read an excerpt from my new historical novella, Under a Christmas Spell, and answer a question. You can even make up your own question about the excerpt and answer it, if you prefer.




Hampshire, 1815

Dissolute aristocrat Lord Valiant Oakenhurst hides a sexy, supernatural secret—as a powerful incubus, he is able to influence others through erotic dreams. At an exclusive Christmas house party, his latest mission is compromised by the beautiful but deadly succubus Lucille Beaulieu. Though still drawn to his former lover, Val cannot forget her betrayal….
Hoping to atone for her past, Lucie uses her seductive powers to help couples find happiness. But she is distracted from her task by her own delicious dreams of the dark and dangerous Val.
As the riotous festivities begin, their passion is rekindled, but can a little Christmas magic restore their lost trust?




Here is this year's calendar for the Harlequin Historical Giveaway. For a calendar with clickable links, go to Jeannie Lin's blog. (http://www.jeannielin.com/harlequin-historical-holiday-giveaway-3/) For the rules, go to Michelle Willingham's website. (http://www.michellewillingham.com/official-rules/) Enter every day for more chances to win!