Dishwasher Salmon and Unforgettable Stories

by Danica Winters

My latest short story, Christmas Wishes, which is also included in the bestselling anthology Christmas Romance (The Best Short Romances of 2013), is not only a story about love, moving forward, and wishing, but there is also a side story about a fish.

A fish? Yes, a fish. And not just any fish, but a salmon to be exact.

I have received many lovely letters about that silly fish. Most ask: "Can you really cook a fish in the dishwasher?" The answer is simple. Yes, you can cook a fish in the dishwasher. Yet, if you are like Lee from Christmas Wishes, I strongly suggest that you do so at your own risk! :)

For those of us who can cook, here is the recipe for Dishwasher Salmon. Enjoy! (But remember to never use dish soap when cooking! LOL)

 

Dishwasher Salmon

 Ingredients

4 6-ounce salmon fillets
4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
heavy duty aluminum foil
Dill Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 leeks, white part only, finely chopped, then thoroughly washed
1 jalapeño chili, seeds and membranes removed, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
1 1/2 cups lightly packed fresh dill, stems removed before measuring
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

1. Cut two 12-inch square sheets of aluminum foil.
2. Place two fillets side by side on each square and fold up the outer edges.
3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon lemon juice over each fillet. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Fold and pinch the aluminum foil extra tightly to create a watertight seal around each pair of fillets. Make sure the packet is airtight by pressing down on it gently with your hand. If air escapes easily, rewrap.
5. Place foil packets on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run dishwasher for the entire "normal" cycle.
6. When cycle is complete, take out salmon, discard foil, place one fillet on each plate, and spoon a generous serving of dill sauce overtop.

Don’t have a dishwasher? Bake foil-wrapped packets in a preheated 400°F oven for 12 minutes.
Sauce

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a sauté pan.
2. Add the leek, jalapeño, and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the leeks are translucent—but not brown.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add the stock. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. (Adjust heat as required to maintain simmer.) The liquid should reduce by half.
4. Remove from heat and let cool.
5. Transfer to a blender or food processor and add the dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Puree until smooth. Reserve and reheat just before serving. Stir in the sour cream at the last minute.

From Bob Blumer, The Surreal Gourmet

About Danica Winters: Danica Winters is a bestselling author who is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic. When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing).  She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.

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Christmas Wishes

Published September 26, 2013

Available in Paperback November 1, 2013

Length: Short Story

Publisher: Books To Go Now

ASIN: B00FHBT8G4

Purchase Links: Amazon | Kobo | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads              

Pages: 30

Blurb: For most, Christmas is a time for family, love, life, dreams, and wishes—but not for Lee Llewellyn, a mother who has recently lost her son to an accident and her husband to the resentment it caused.
In a chance encounter, she is given the gift of company on Christmas, but is she ready to move forward and start living again? 

Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romances of 2013)

Short Story Anthology
 
Authors: Danica Winters, Jennifer Conner, Sharon Kleve, Casey Dawes  

Blurbs:
Christmas Wishes-Danica Winters: For most, Christmas is a time for family, love, life, dreams, and wishes—but not for Lee Llewellyn, a mother who has recently lost her son to an accident and her husband to the resentment it caused.
In a chance encounter, she is given the gift of company on Christmas, but is she ready to move forward and start living again?

Central Bark at Christmas-Jennifer Conner: When Tennyson’s boyfriend left her for her best friend from high-school, all Tennyson received in the break up was her dog. She’s sworn off men and now is rebuilding her life. The only thing Par does is work. He barely has time to do anything he wants for himself other than take his dog to the dog park. When Par and Tennyson find an abandoned dog at the park named Duke. Will they find room in their hearts to take him in?
And can this Christmas season weave some special magic for the two of them?

Halo's Wish-Sharon Kleve: Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.
Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she's ever wanted.Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.
Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both before Christmas?

Christmas Hope-Casey Dawes: Clara Misowski is convinced Sam Richards’ cheese making operation would be a perfect stop for her culinary tour group.
He’s adamantly opposed to anything to do with a group of women on his farm.
Can she convince him to open his heart to company, Christmas, and maybe even her?  

Check it out on Amazon (and it's ON SALE)!

 



Excerpt from California Wine

Oh, my.

Elizabeth’s eyes locked with a pair of the most intense blue eyes she’d ever seen. They belonged to a man with thick black hair to his shoulders, a strong aquiline nose, and high cheekbones. His smile was warm; his straight white teeth a sharp contrast to his light olive skin.

Why did Italy produce such heart-breakingly handsome men?

She looked down at the restaurant table and then looked up again. He was still staring, the smile even broader.

Maybe her daughter Sarah was right. Elizabeth should dine out more often, especially if the scenery was going to be like this.

The waitress brought her a salad and Elizabeth looked at it morosely. Was it possible to eat salad and not get some stuck in her teeth when a gorgeous man was staring at her?

Or worse, drop a huge leaf of oily lettuce on her blouse, calling his attention to her less than abundant breasts?

But the salad looked so good...tiny red cherry tomatoes interspersed with baby carrots and radishes on a bed of mixed greens. She sighed and stabbed the nearest tomato with her fork.

The red orb escaped her plate and went bouncing off the table to land on the floor, rolled to the center of an open space, and sat there for only a minute before being squished by a waitress’ black shoe.

“Such a tragic end for a little tomato.” A rich masculine voice spoke near her ear.

She looked up into the blue eyes of the man standing next to her.

“Perhaps if you had not stabbed at it so viciously, it might have survived,” he continued.

She had to grin at his mock seriousness.

“May I join you?” he asked his hand on the chair.

She considered him. She’d intended to eat her supper alone, go upstairs to her room, run a hot bath, and relax with a good book.

He waited for her answer.

Suddenly, her plan seemed a lonely way to spend one of her last days in Italy. “Sure.”

He sat down next to her and a frisson of heat zapped her body. For the first time since her mother had died, life stirred in her heart. She put down her fork.

“My name is Marcos,” he said, holding out his hand.

“Elizabeth.” She shook. His palm was smooth and cool, and the long fingers fit the rest of his lean body. His touch electrified her skin.
                                                 * * *
Thank you for stopping by! To enter the contest for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, please comment and leave your email address in the comment. To get an extra entry possibility, Like my Facebook page. and let me know in your comment!

OR...some people are having a problem posting a comment.  If that's you, go to my Facebook page and enter a comment here to enter: https://www.facebook.com/Casey.Stories.About.Love/posts/465101926898687 . 

This contest is now closed.

This is my last post for the day -- I hope you've enjoyed them! 

California Wine is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes.

Excerpt from California Sunset

California Homecoming is the third in the California Romance Series. Here’s an excerpt from the first book, California Sunset.

Annie strode into her boss‘s office to answer his summons. Maybe I’m finally going to
get a bonus this year! It would be great to be able to sock that money away in David‘s
college fund.

She grabbed the printouts off Randy‘s chair and dropped them to the floor with a thud. "It‘s going great, Randy," she said. "The next piece of the project is nailed down and we‘re still on track."

"Close the door, please," he said.

"I‘m counting on this project to showcase what I can do for the company." Annie shut the door and plopped down in the chair, her pen poised over her pad as she leaned forward. How should she react? Surprised? Matter of fact?

Randy cleared his throat, his Adam‘s apple bobbing in his scrawny neck. "I‘m afraid the project has been terminated."

"What?"
"JCN needs to cut costs," he started. "Ten thousand people are being laid off from the company."

"There‘s got to be another project somewhere."

Randy pawed through the papers on his desk. "There is another project you can apply for. You‘d be great for one in New Jersey and they could use your skills. It‘s complex and government-mandated—one of those impossible situations you‘re good at handling."

"I can‘t move to New Jersey." She‘d been to New Jersey once—boardwalks, billboards, and Bruce Springsteen. Not a place she could ever imagine living. And she couldn‘t drag her son away from his friends. He was only fifteen.

"C‘mon, Annie. Give it a chance. I‘d hate for the company to lose you."

She shook her head. New Jersey may have been fine for Frank Sinatra, but it wasn’t fine for her. It had taken so long after her divorce to feel secure again. She had her friends, her home, her cats.

"There‘s nothing in the company in this area for someone with your skills. I looked. If you aren‘t willing to apply for the job, then I have no choice. I have to lay you off. Even if you do apply, there‘s no guarantee that you‘ll get the job in New Jersey. You may be laid off anyway."

Her stomach dropped and the bitter smell of Randy‘s coffee became nauseating. She stared out the window, not really seeing the rain-greened California hills, unable to believe what she was hearing. What was she going to do? Randy‘s voice streamed around her, and her mind snagged phrases like "severance package," "layoff procedure," and "resume class." She gripped the arms of the chair as if she was trying to steady a rocking boat.

An ache began in the back of her neck. She needed this job. No one else was going to support David or provide medical benefits. She was going to have to do something to keep a salary coming in. And with the economy the way it was, chances of finding a new job soon would be slim, especially for a thirty-five-year-old woman. Unemployment wouldn‘t cover her mortgage, much less her other expenses.
                                                    * * *
Thank you for stopping by! To enter the contest for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, please comment and leave your email address in the comment. To get an extra entry possibility, Like my Facebook page and let me know in your comment! 

OR...some people are having a problem posting a comment.  If that's you, go to my Facebook page and enter a comment here to enter: https://www.facebook.com/Casey.Stories.About.Love/posts/465101926898687 .

This contest is now closed.

California Sunset is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  Stop by after 8:30 pm for an excerpt from the second book in the series, California Wine.

Excerpt #2 from California Homecoming

After a discouraging day of job hunting, Hunter started his Thursday morning by pounding down the compacted beach sand of Rio del Mar. As he ran, he scanned the ocean cliffs for trouble. He ignored people’s curious stares at his prosthesis, but kept an eye out for any sudden moves.

Today’s run wasn’t the same as dashing down the beach as a kid, but he was thankful technology had gotten to a point where he could be almost good as new on the outside.

Whenever he stopped by the Veteran’s Hall, the old, bearded Vietnam vets in wheelchairs saddened him. How might their lives have been different if they could have walked?

Was his life going to turn to be out any different from theirs in spite of his physical ability?

He increased his pace, wet sand flying behind him.

The salt-laden air filled his lungs, cleansing them further from the stale smells of hospitals and rehab facilities.

He watched a seagull lift in flight, soaring against the wind in takeoff. Hunter longed to have that ultimate freedom, but running was as close as he was going to get.

It would have to do.

A few surfers off in the distance caught his eye. Unfortunately, he’d never be able to do that again. He’d been learning to surf in junior high school. Only in Santa Cruz could you get gym credits for surfing.

At least he was in laid-back Santa Cruz. He’d dreamed of the beach town ever since his father had yanked the family out of the city when Hunter was fourteen. He’d never forgiven his father for the change.

A sudden movement made him shy. Hunter’s adrenalin surged and he automatically reached for a weapon, before his therapy kicked in. He forced himself to examine his surroundings. Tiny clusters of snowy plovers played tag with the waves, a pelican dove beak-first into the waves, and a pair of dolphins crested the waves.

His breathing slowed and he eased his pace. His muscles ached and he tired more easily than he had before the injury. The doctors had told him his physical abilities would improve over time.

That’s how he tried to think of it— a simple injury. Just an accident that had cost more than he’d ever wanted to give.

Right.

Sweating, he reached the parking lot. Even in mid-January, the California coast could generate some heat. Today was the second in a string of perfect days the weatherman promised.

Perfect except that Hunter had to figure out how to live. His mother wanted him to come home so she could baby him. The VA wanted him to go to job training.

All Hunter wanted to do was get back to construction work. But construction work was hard enough to find if you had all your limbs. Hiring bosses took one look at him and shook their heads.

So much for supporting veterans.
                                                     * * *
Thank you for stopping by! To enter the contest for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, please comment and leave your email address in the comment. To get an extra entry possibility, Like my Facebook page and let me know in your comment! 

OR...some people are having a problem posting a comment.  If that's you, go to my Facebook page and enter a comment here to enter: https://www.facebook.com/Casey.Stories.About.Love/posts/465101926898687 .

California Homecoming comes out June 24, 2013!. Stop by the blog after 5:00 pm EDT for an excerpt from California Sunset, the first in the series.

This contest is now closed.

Casey Dawes
www.stories-about-love.com

Excerpt #1 from California Homecoming

Sarah Ladina turned the key and pushed open the oak door, her pulse quickening in anticipation. Stale smells of forgotten perfumes and long ago dinners wafted from the entrance hall. She crossed the threshold, shut the door behind her, and leaned against it.

Mine. This soon-to-be-inn is all mine.

She rubbed her hand on her stomach. Ours.

Cobwebs huddled in the high corners of the paneled entry and a screw sticking from the staircase newel told of a missing cap. Layers of dust added texture to the floor.

The work was also going to be all hers.

Her shoulders sank. What had she been thinking?

“If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” Other people aren’t dependable.

A bark from outside made her drop her bag of cleaning supplies, snacks, and tools on the floor. Cautiously, she opened the door.

A golden retriever sat on the porch, staring up at her, dark eyes pleading entry. The dog barked again, stood, nosed the door open, and walked in. He...or she...made a beeline for the front sitting room, circled, and laid down.

Great. A dog who thinks it owns the place.

Keeping a wide berth, she walked toward the dog. “Shoo,” she said. “Go home.”

The dog looked up at her, rolled over, and beat its tail against the floor.

Definitely a girl dog.

“Go! Get out of here!” Sarah raised her voice. She did not need anything else to take care of.

The dog whined and thumped her tail harder.

Tires crunched the driveway gravel.

Sarah groaned, stomped to the door, and opened it wide.

The dog got off the floor, followed her, and sat down crowded close to her leg.

The heat of the retriever’s strong body against Sarah’s leg gave her courage, ready to face whoever was coming to call. Maybe I do need a dog. A single woman—correction: a single pregnant woman—might be at risk living alone.

She glared at the newcomer’s car, a black Jeep polished to a gleaming shine.

A tall man with broad shoulders emerged from the Jeep. His dark hair was clipped short and he stood with the rigid carriage of a soldier, an odd contrast to the banana slug T-shirt and shorts he wore. His right leg
ended in a prosthetic below the knee.
 
How sad.

“Hello,” he said, his deep voice easily carrying across the distance between them.

“Nice dog,” he added and walked toward her.

A rumble from the dog’s throat made her put her hand on its head. The soldier wasn’t a threat.

Yet.

The man reached out his hand. Automatically, she took it. “I’m Hunter Evans.”

Her cold hand was engulfed by his strong warmth.

“I’m Sarah.” She withdrew her hand. “What can I do for you?”

“I understand you just bought this place.”

She nodded. “Today.”

“Will you sell it to me?”

She almost laughed out loud. Is he serious? “No.” She stepped back to close the door.

The dog stood.

Hunter didn’t move. “I’d really like to buy it.”

“It’s not for sale any more. I bought it.”

His green eyes glittered with determination. “I know, but you haven’t had time to get attached to it yet. I’ll give you ten percent more than you paid.”

Now she was getting irritated. Why couldn’t he accept “no” to meant “no” and move on? Typical male.

“Why do you want it so badly?”

His lips went to a thin line. “My family used to own this house. I spent some of my best years here. After spending some time in the war...” He gestured to his leg. “I was hoping to return to happier times.”

Her irritation fled. “I’m sorry, I really am, but no.” She wouldn’t give up her baby’s future for anyone, even a vet. “I wish you well, but this house is not for sale. I’m going to make it into an inn.”

“Interesting.” He took a piece of paper from his pocket and scribbled on it. “In case you change your mind.” He handed her the paper.

He gave her a mock salute, climbed into the Jeep, and drove off.
                                       * * *
Thank you for stopping by! To enter the contest for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, please comment and leave your email address in the comment.
To get an extra entry possibility, Like my Facebook page and let me know in your comment!  

This contest is now closed.

California Homecoming comes out June 24, 2013! . Stop by the blog after 2:15 pm EDT for another excerpt.

Casey Dawes
www.stories-about-love.com

Contemporary Romance: California Homecoming Arrives 6/24!

Pregnant and alone, Sarah Ladina wants to regain her independence and do what’s best for her soon-to-be-born baby, but buying a run-down Victorian for an inn wasn’t her brightest idea. An inability to cook or fix a leaky faucet will make the job even harder. When a friendly golden retriever, disabled vet, and potential cook show up on the first day, she knows her life is going to get a lot more complicated.

After returning from duty in the Middle East wounded in both body and spirit, Hunter Evans is in search of employment and a home. Finding a job has been tough and housing doesn’t come cheap in Costanoa, the town that he loves most on the California Coast. His prosthetic leg allows him to run, but keeps him from his childhood passion, surfing.

Ghosts from their pasts haunt them. Sarah’s Victorian is Hunter’s childhood home. A dusty box of letters hidden in a closet hint of a long-ago affair. When her ex tries to get back into her life and her doctor orders modified bed rest, Sarah wonders if she’ll ever be able to stand on her own. With a low-level job and a transient motel for a home, Hunter isn’t sure life is worth living.

Spring is coming in Costanoa and love is in the air. With the help of good friends, Sarah and Hunter may be able to get beyond the painful past and complicated present to find the love and respect they want and deserve.
                                                          * * *
Two issues confronting the United States right now sparked the idea for California Homecoming. With the great numbers of wounded veterans coming home, looking for work, and not always able to get the treatment they deserve, I knew I wanted the hero of the book to be a disabled veteran trying to regain his footing. As I wrote about Hunter, I knew he had to stand for everything that was right about the brave young men and women of our military.

The second issue is more controversial — the great debate about children — born and unborn. I’ve known women in Sarah’s situation, women who have become accidently pregnant and who must make adjustments in their lives. I’ve been a single mother with a full-time job in Corporate America. Fortunately, the company and the boss I worked for gave me a great deal of flexibility and for that I’m grateful. With Sarah, I tried to build a character that had to face the decisions and challenges of an unanticipated pregnancy.
                                                         * * *
"California Homecoming is a sweet, satisfying read about two wounded people learning to love again."
~ Debra Holland, New York Times bestselling author
                                                         * * *
California Homecoming comes out on June 24. Stop by the blog after 11:30 am EDT for an excerpt!

Thank you for stopping by! To enter the contest for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, please comment and leave your email address in the comment. To get an extra entry possibility, Like my Facebook page and let me know in your comment that you did so!!

This contest is now closed.

Casey Dawes
www.stories-about-love.com