Chicken and Brussels Sprout Skillet

Welcome! Just an FYI my cook book is out if you are interested. You can find the buy links here: https://www.marymartinez.com/afterwork.html

Chicken And Brussels Sprout Skillet
1/2 pound       Chicken tenderloins cubed
8 ounces         Brussels sprouts cut in half
2                     Thick peppered bacon cut into cubes
4 large            Mushrooms sliced
1                     Gala apple cubed (cored)
2 cloves         Garlic chopped
1/4 teaspoon   Pepper or to taste
1/4 teaspoon   Salt or to taste
1 tablespoon   Basil (fresh if possible)
1 tablespoon   Olive oil
1 tablespoon   Balsamic Vinegar

In a skillet add the cut bacon. Let cook on low while getting chicken and veggies ready. Put the chicken and sprouts in a bowl and mixed thoroughly with vinegar and oil. Add to skillet and turn up to medium high, cover with lid. Stir frequently. Cut the apple, peal option. Add apple and mushrooms to skillet add seasonings. Cook at medium for 20 minutes or until meat and apple is tender.

A potato or a salad as a side works well.
Pair with a crisp white wine.

Tomatillo Chili Verde

Tomatillo Chili Verde

8 -10                           Tomatillo's cleaned and chopped

1/8 cup                       Onion chopped

2                                 Jalapeno's chopped
2                                 Anaheim peppers chopped

1/2 cup                       Chicken broth

1/2 pound                   Pork or chicken cubed and browned.
Salt, Pepper, Cayenne to taste
2 Tablespoons            Fresh Cilantro 

Add tomatillo's, onion, and Jalapeno's, cook until starting to get tender. Add broth and set on medium until soft. Use a masher to mash all the ingredients until thick and smooth. Add meat and simmer for another 10 minutes. Add fresh cilantro and simmer another 5 minutes.

Serve with tortilla's, rice, and beans. 

Available now!

The After Work Cook Book. Check my website for more more details. 

Easy Pistachio Cake Submitted by Kelli A. Wilkins

Welcome to the After Work Cook. We have a guest this month. Kelli A. Wilkins. This looks appropriate for St. Paddy's Day! I think I may just try it.

Easy Pistachio Cake

This cake is easy to make and super-delicious!

Ingredients:

1 boxed white cake mix
3 egg whites
½ cup canola (or vegetable) oil
1 3 oz. package of pistachio instant pudding

1 teaspoon almond extract
1-2 drops of green food coloring (optional)
 

Directions:

Prepare cake mix according to the box directions. (This is where you need the oil and egg whites.) Blend in pudding mix and almond extract. Add 1-2 drops of green food coloring (optional). Mix well.
Pour into cake pan of your choice and follow the baking directions on the box.
You can also make cupcakes!

Topping Options:

This cake is flavorful and very moist, so it doesn’t need a traditional frosting. Some topping suggestions:
* drizzle a vanilla glaze over the cake
* “frost” with thawed whipped topping
* add a dollop of whipped cream to each slice
* serve with vanilla (or pistachio) ice cream or
* enjoy the cake plain

Happy Snacking!

Kelli A. Wilkins

If you like to read while enjoying a slice (or two) of cake, here’s a look at my historical romance, Dangerous Indenture. This full-length novel is set in Pennsylvania Colony and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense.

Dangerous Indenture

Indentured for five years… how long can Shauna resist her master’s son?

Desperate to escape her past in Ireland, Shauna Farrow signs on to become an indentured servant to Joshua Stewart, a wealthy man in Pennsylvania Colony. But a life of servitude quickly turns to drudgery, and Shauna’s hopes for starting over and creating a better life for herself are waning—until she meets her master’s roguish son, Ashton.

Ashton needs to redeem himself in his father’s eyes and earn the respect he has always longed for. Meeting Shauna turns his life around, and he sets out to win her heart. Torn between propriety and passion, Shauna struggles against her growing attraction to Ashton as long as she can.

But amidst their flirting, something dark stirs. Shauna soon discovers why no other servants wanted to work for the strange Stewart family.

Stewart House has an unsavory reputation: a previous servant died there under mysterious circumstances. When another servant goes missing in the middle of the night, Shauna is convinced that a member of the family is responsible.

Shauna’s investigation leads her close to the truth, and yet, she’s not sure who she can trust. Events take a deadly turn when she confronts the murderer and discovers the mystery of the Stewart family. 

Will Shauna be rescued before time runs out, or will she meet with the same fate as the other servants? 

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJVQ7XJ

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3JyROP

Like historical romances? Follow my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Historical-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1703805359922371/

Visit my website www.KelliWilkins.com to see all of my titles.

About The Author

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories,

20 romance novels, 6 non-fiction books, and 2 online writing courses. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories.

In January 2020, Kelli published Love, Lies & Redemption, a western romance set in 1877 Nebraska. This novel blends a sensual love story with mystery and danger.

She released Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love, a non-fiction guide to romance in November 2019. The book features 104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender, everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.

Kelli published Extraterrestrial Encounters, a collection of 18 sci-fi stories, in August 2019. If you like horror fiction, don’t miss her disturbing novella, Nightmare in the North.

Earlier in 2019 she released The Viking’s Witch, a paranormal/historical romance, and 

Dangerous Indenture, a historical mystery romance set in Colonial Pennsylvania.

Kelli has authored two online writing courses: Fiction Basics: Finding Ideas and Fiction Writing for Beginners. These courses are perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/ for more details.

Not just an author, Kelli is also an amateur photographer. Visit her pages on Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/kelli+wilkins and iStock https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/kelliwilkins to view her photos.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com to learn more about all of her writings.

Thank you, Kelli, for this delicious recipe.

Happy Holidays Egg Nog Cake By Kelli Wilkins

Happy Holidays Egg Nog Cake

This easy (and delicious) egg nog cake is made from a boxed cake mix.

Ingredients:

1 (18 ounce) box yellow cake mix (with pudding in the mix)

¹⁄₄ cup vegetable oil, (adjust according to package directions, if necessary)

2 eggs, (adjust according to package directions)

1 ¹⁄₂ cups eggnog, (substitute for water and adjust according to package directions)

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (add more to taste if you want a stronger flavor)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven and oil/grease your cake pan, so the cake doesn’t stick. (A Bundt pan works best for this recipe – or you could make cupcakes!)

Prepare cake mix according to the directions on the box – substituting the egg nog for the water. Add ground nutmeg to the mix and blend well.

Bake cake according to the package directions. Let cake cool before adding frosting or other toppings.

Topping Suggestions:

You can top the cake with vanilla frosting, thawed whipped topping, or make an egg nog glaze. (I used frosting for my cake.)

Egg Nog Glaze Ingredients:

2 cups powdered sugar   

2 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons eggnog

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ to 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, if desired

In a medium bowl, combine ingredients, adding enough egg nog for desired consistency. Drizzle over the cake and let set. If the glaze is too runny, add more powdered sugar.

Enjoy!!

As 2019 draws to a close, I’d like to share news about my new non-fiction guide to romance, 

Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love.

Whether you’re just starting out dating, in a committed relationship, newlyweds, or you’ve been married for twenty years, Romance Every Weekend will show you how you can strengthen the bond between you and your loved one and deepen your relationship.

Romance shouldn’t be reserved for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or an anniversary. Why should people wait for a special occasion to show someone they love that they care? Love can (and should) be expressed every chance you get.

Romance Every Weekend features 104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender, everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.

Some suggestions include:

* Today, tell your sweetheart: “I knew I loved you when…” Sharing your feelings and expressing

your love verbally has a deeper meaning than giving a gift or sending a card.

* Break out of your comfort zone. It’s time to try something new with your mate. Sign up for a class being offered today, in person, in your local area. It can be anything: cooking, Pilates, yoga, swimming, dancing, painting… Take the first class you find and run with it. (Whatever happens, remember, you’re in it together.)

* Watch the sun set together. No talking. But you can certainly hold hands. 

If you're looking for ways to keep your romance fresh, this is the book for you!

Romance Every Weekend makes a great holiday gift for you – or for your sweetie! Why not order it now and set a New Year’s resolution to try all 104 suggestions in 2020? (You may even come up with a few of your own!)

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08124HBMS

All other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3npVVP

Visit my website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com to learn about all of my books.

Enjoy the holiday season, and best wishes for a great 2020!

Kelli A. Wilkins

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

We had this chili at Papa and Nana night after the kids carved their pumpkins. It turned out better than I thought.

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 can chicken broth [12 oz]
1 can cream of chicken [12 oz]
2 cans great northern beans drained and rinsed [15 oz]
2 cans diced green chiles [4 oz]
4 chopped roasted chiles (Spicier - Optional)
1 can whole kernel corn drained [15 oz]
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper (Spicier - 1 tsp)
1 tsp cumin (Spicier - 1 1/2 tsp)
3/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp chili powder (Spicier - 1 tsp)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (Spicier - 1/2 tsp)
small handful fresh cilantro chopped
8 oz reduced fat cream cheese softened
1/4 cup half and half

TOPPINGS (Suggested)
sliced jalapenos
sliced avocados
dollop of sour cream
minced fresh cilantro
chopped green onions
tortilla strips - These are hard to find.
shredded three cheese mix

Directions:|

1 |   Add chicken breasts to bottom of slow cooker, top with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
2 |   Top with diced onion, minced garlic, great northern beans, green chilis, corn, chicken broth, cream of chicken, and cilantro.  Stir.
3 |   Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
4 |   Remove chicken to large mixing bowl, shred, then return to slow cooker.
5 |   Add cream cheese and half and half, stir, then cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, or until chili is creamy and slightly thickened.
6 |   Stir well and serve with desired toppings.

For our large family I doubled the recipe and had a crockpot with spicier quantities. 

Guest Kelli A. Wilkins has a yummy Autumn Cake recipe!

We loved what Kelli shared last Halloween, and this looks just as good. In fact Amazing!

Easy Autumn Apple Cake

By Kelli A. Wilkins

This easy-to-make apple cake has lots of flavor and is the perfect snack for the fall season.

Ingredients:

1 package Yellow cake mix

1 (21 oz.) can of apple pie filling

3 eggs

1 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cloves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease the cake pan. (For this recipe, I prefer to use a Bundt cake pan.)

Prepare the cake mix according to the box directions. Add spices and stir well. Pour cake mix into the pan, then add the apple pie filling to the batter. (Note: Apples will sink.)

Bake according to box directions (approximately 34-36 min.) Check cake to make sure it doesn’t overcook. Let cool and remove from the cake pan. Apples will usually be on the top of the cake (almost like a pineapple upside down cake).

Substitutions:

If you like your cake extra spicy, add more nutmeg or cloves. You can also substitute the spices listed with 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice.

Want to use fresh apples? Substitute the apple pie filling with 2 large apples, peeled and sliced ½ to ¼ inch thick.

Options:

This moist and flavorful cake needs no frosting. You can add a dollop of whipped cream on the side or top of the cake when serving, or serve with vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!

To celebrate the Halloween season, I’m sharing a look at my horror novella, Dead ‘Til Dawn.

Dead ‘Til Dawn

Disturbing the dead doesn’t prove you’re brave – it proves you’re stupid.

After touring Gettysburg battlefield, Jessica, Tim, and Steve decide to sneak out to the Devil’s Den for some late-night fun. Jessica’s friend Kathy objects, and warns them about trespassing where they’re not wanted.

Undaunted by ghost stories and fueled by his own arrogance, Tim races toward the Devil’s Den. When the group drives through mysterious battlefield fog, they find themselves surrounded by Civil War soldiers looking for a little fun of their own.

Kathy leaves the others to fend for themselves and flees to Little Round Top. Although she’s rescued by a kindhearted Union solider named Charlie, she refuses to believe that what she’s experiencing is real. As the nighttime battle rages on, Charlie introduces Kathy to other weary soldiers, and she quickly realizes she’s trapped in the land of the dead until dawn.

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Til-Dawn-Civil-Horror-ebook/dp/B015LHI08A

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4X9aLb

Read the true paranormal adventure that inspired Dead ‘Til Dawn in this blog:

https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/dead-til-dawn-a-paranormal-adventure-in-gettysburg

Visit my website: www.KelliWilkins.com to catch up on all of my writings.

Happy Halloween!

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19

romance novels, 5 non-fiction books, and 2 online writing courses. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories.

She released Extraterrestrial Encounters, a collection of 18 sci-fi stories, in August 2019. If you like horror fiction, don’t miss her disturbing novella, Nightmare in the North.

Her latest historical romance, The Viking’s Witch, was released in June 2019. This full-length novel takes place in Celtic Scotland and blends a sensual romance with paranormal elements. 

In March 2019, Kelli published Dangerous Indenture, a historical mystery romance set in Colonial Pennsylvania. She released the second half of her flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes, in early 2019. These two volumes of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.

Kelli released her latest Teachable mini-course, Fiction Basics: Finding Ideas in February 2019. She authored Fiction Writing for Beginners through Teachable in 2018. These courses are perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/ for more details.

Not just an author, Kelli is also an amateur photographer. Visit her pages on Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/kelli+wilkins and iStock https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/kelliwilkins to view her photos.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.

Visit her website http://www.KelliWilkins.com to learn more about all of her writings.

That sounds yummy Kelli, thank you for sharing!

It's that time! Soup time.

It's my favorite time of year. Autumn and football!

My friend generously gave me some fresh vegetables from her garden and I took the opportunity to make a flavorful and easy autumn soup.

Autumn Soup - 4 servings (250 calories)

3 - Costco Chicken sausage sliced
3 - medium tomatoes cut into pieces
1/4 cup onions chopped
1 Jalapeno chopped
8 green onions chopped
2 cloves Garlic chopped
1 cup Yellow Squash
1/2 cup Northern white beans
4 Baby Dutch yellow potatoes cubed
32 oz Chicken broth (low sodium)
2 bay leaves
Salt, Pepper, crushed chili flakes to taste.
2 teas. Chili Powder (optional)
1 teas. Oregano
1 teas. basil

In a medium size sauce pan add all ingredients except beans and broth. Brown the meat and when the veggies are starting to get tender add the broth. Bring to bowl and then turn to medium low and cook for 30 minutes then simmer for an hour. Add beans and simmer another 30 minutes to an hour.

Remove bay leaves and serve with warm rolls.