JUNE 17th: Gwen on QVC!

On QVC with host David Venable, from an earlier appearance.

Planning to be up late on Thursday? Be sure to tune in to QVC for the June 17th "Summer Cooking" show. I'm going to be a guest on David Venable's 2-hour show that starts at 11:00 p.m. (Central) and runs until 1:00 a.m.

We'll be featuring 13 recipes from my Fast & Fabulous Soups, Salads and Sandwiches book.

Get your copy out and follow along with us. I've listed the page numbers to make it easier. (You can get your own copy by clicking here).

Here are the dishes we'll feature with David on June 17th:

Juicy Pig Hoagies ~ Pg. 173
Sweet and Sour Chicken Wraps ~ Pg. 177
Best Taco Seasoning Mix ~ Pg. 198
Chicken Noodle Veggie Soup Mix ~ Pg. 10
Gotcha Gazpacho ~ Pg. 70
Minute Shrimp Bisque ~ Pg. 43
Pasta Garden Salad ~ Pg. 109
Party Summer Salad ~ Pg. 101
Big Island Chicken Salad ~ Pg. 117
Really Nice Rice Salad ~ Pg. 111
Tupper’s Favorite Pimento Cheese Sandwiches ~ Pg. 145
Pink Cloud Bing Cherry Pie ~ Pg. 210
Moose Shots ~ Pg. 212

Why don't you plan to call in and tell us how you like this newest addition to the "Fast & Fabulous" series. Hope to hear from you soon!

~ Gwen

Time to fire up the grill. It's almost Father's Day!

Father's Day is right around the corner and we're all getting in the mood for some cooking outside! So I think it's a perfect time to feature some of the best ribs you'll find.

I'd like to share a recipe that we gave out this month in the newsletter that Barbara and I send out. (If you're not on the mailing list and you'd like to be, click here and we'll get you signed up)

It's from Smoke in the Mountains Cookbook: The Art of Appalachian Barbecue which is an entire book devoted just to the manly art of barbecue. If you like this recipe, you may want to get your own copy to give for a Father's Day gift. We've got them on sale right now for $12.70 (a $4.00 savings). Hope you enjoy it!

Sweet 'n' Easy Barbecue Beef Ribs

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon pepper

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon brown sugar

5 pounds (or more) country-style beef ribs

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup strawberry jelly

1/4 cup beer

1/4 cup whiskey

1/4 cup real butter

Combine the garlic, pepper, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Rub this mix into the ribs. Place ribs in a covered dish or freezer bag and place in the fridge overnight. Combine the remaining ingredients and brush on the ribs. Grill or smoke over medium indirect heat for about 2 hours. Increase to medium to high heat and grill while basting. Serve hot.

Take your mom to a tea party with Patty Roper this Saturday!

If you'll be out anywhere near Philadelphia, MS on Saturday (May 8th), it'll certainly be worth your while to plan to swing by Kademi gifts. Patty Roper is having a book signing from Noon till 2:30 p.m. with recipes and food to sample from Easy Parties and Wedding Celebration. At 12:30 Patty will give a special demonstration.

What a great girls day out this will be for moms and daughters. And wouldn't an autographed copy of Patty's newest book make a great Mother's Day gift?

Kademi is located at 401 Center Avenue in Philadelphia, MS. For driving directions, just call the store at 1-888-4KADEMI or 1-601-656-5400.

Have a great weekend!

Patty will set up some of her elegant and imaginative party tablescapes for you to see during the Kademi booksigning.

~Gwen

Did you get your recipe?

Here's a simply wonderful recipe that I featured in our email newsletter this month. Are you signed up to get your free copy? If not, go to this page, put in your email and I'll add you to the list for next month. We won't give your email to anyone else, so you don't have to worry about a bunch of spam messages.

Try this pie when you have a chance. It comes from Patty Roper's new book that I talked about last week (Easy Parties & Wedding Celebrations, see below).

One unexpected ingredient: the crust is made with saltine crackers! It's so delicious you'll want to take it to your next event.

Here it is. I hope you enjoy it:

French Cherry Pie

3 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup sugar

9 saltine crackers, finely crushed

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat egg whites until foamy; add cream of tartar. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff. Fold in crackers, pecans, and vanilla. Spread into greased 9-inch pie plate and bake 35 minutes. Cool.

FILLING

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup whipped topping

1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

Cream sugar and cream cheese; add vanilla and fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust, top with pie filling, and chill. Yield: 8 servings.

~Gwen

Come by and see Patty Roper in Holly Springs today.

If you'll be traveling near north Mississippi on April 29th, make plans to stop in at Jennie's Flowers between 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Author Patty Roper will be there in person signing her newest book, Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations, published by our company, Quail Ridge Press.

You'll be able to sample some of the delicious party recipes Patty includes in her book, as well as view creative tablescapes. Jennie's Flowers & Gifts is located at 150 East College Avenue in Holly Springs. For directions or more information, call them at (662) 252-4831.

~ Gwen

April is National Donate Life Month

You don't have to wait until your drivers license renewal to sign up to be an organ donor. You can do it right now and print out a card for your wallet. Click here:

Mississippi residents

Residents of other states

Get a donor card

It's so easy to sign up to give the gift of life. You can read FAQ about donation here.

Why not make a quick pot of gumbo tonight?

Easy Chicken & Crab Gumbo

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A Great Make-ahead Meal!

2 teaspoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 (14-ounce) packages frozen gumbo vegetable mix
(Mix contains okra, onions, celery, and bell pepper)
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup quick-cooking rice
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 bay leaf
2 (6-ounce) packages grilled chicken strips, cut up
1 (6 1/2-ounce) can crabmeat, drained (or fresh)

Saute garlic in hot oil. Stir in flour till slightly brown. Add chicken broth, vegetable mix, tomatoes, rice, seasoning, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer 10-15 minutes, or till okra is tender. Stir in chicken and crabmeat; heat thoroughly. Serves 6.

(From Fast and Fabulous Soups, Salads and Sandwiches, page 54)

Watch QVC tonight at 11 pm Central! (Midnight/Eastern)

Wouldn't it be great if you could re-create those premium restaurant-style sandwiches and soups at home? Come watch us on QVC tonight at 11 pm/Central and we'll show you how!

I'll be appearing on the "Kitchen Ideas" program with recipes from our newest book "Fast and Fabulous Soups, Salads and Sandwiches".

Join us tonight and plan on phoning in if you've already got our new book. I'd love to talk to you on air!~Gwen

A great soup story for the Super Bowl

We were so pleased that Kara Kimbrough's recent Super Bowl article for the Madison County Herald featured our recipes!


In the Feb. 6th feature about Marlana Walters, all three of the recipes listed in the article came either from our newest release, Fast & Fabulous Soups, Salads and Sandwiches, or our cookbook Fast & Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers. They picked out some of our favorite recipes to use.


In the article, Marlana talked about making White Chili in a Bread Bowl, Blue Cheese Burgers, and Black-Bottom Toffee-Top Cheesecake Bars. I'm going to give you the White Chili recipe here today. If you'd like the others, just click here to read the whole article.





White Chili in a Bread Bowl

1 cup chopped onion
1-2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, drained
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons oil
2 (16-ounce) cans Great Northern beans
4-5 cups chicken broth
1-2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 (7-ounce) package grilled chicken strips, chopped
6-8 individual round loaves sourdough bread
Sour cream

Cook onion, chilies and garlic in oil in Dutch oven till onion is tender. Stir in beans, brother and seasoning. Bring to a boil. Simmer 30 minutes. Slightly mash beans to thicken. Add chicken; cover and simmer 10-15 minutes longer.
Hollow out sourdough loaves; spoon chili into bread bowls. Top with sour cream. Serves 6-8.


Recipe from Fast & Fabulous Soups, Salads and Sandwiches, Gwen McKee and Barbara Moseley, Quail Ridge Press.

~Gwen

A sad goodbye

We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Chief Phillip Martin, a friend and great Mississippian.

With deepest sympathy from all of us at Quail Ridge Press