The Duke and Miss Amabel Hawkins is my newest Regency tale. The story pits two very strong characters against each other. Each person in this young couple struggles passionately for control. Eventually everything gets turned around into something more interesting for lovers of romance. The book is coming soon from Musa Publishing and other popular download sites.
Here's a little from The Duke and Miss Amabel Hawkins along with a tasty recipe to tease your appetite for reading and food.
When a suspicious duke decides to join that managing female, Miss Amabel Hawkins, on her errands around the estate, he winds up coaxing a reluctant fat pony to a stop in front of a thatched cottage. Miss Hawkins brings gifts to a new baby while many children hang around outside with the duke and the new father. The duke is impatient and starving when Miss Efficiency herself, Amabel, appears holding a bowl of a steaming liquid. The fragrance is tantalizing and irresistible. She spoons the duke a large taste and then hands him the bowl. He declares it delicious, finishes it off quickly and demands to know if his cook has the recipe. The farmer and Amabel suppress their chuckles. "It's cabbage soup, Milord." A plebeian meal, for sure, but if you're a fan of the cabbage family, there is nothing better than a big bowl of cabbage soup. It's nutritious, easy to make and delicious. There are probably no wrong ways to make this soup. The main ingredient, of course, is chopped cabbage. After that add one chopped onion, a chopped carrot or two, a ham hock or just some small pieces of ham. Some folks like to add a bit of bacon, but I am a firm believer in ham with my cabbage. Optional but delicious is a chopped potato. Add another if you love this cooked with the cabbage as I do.
Place all the ingredients in a good-sized pot, then add water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the all vegetables are soft. More simmering is fine especially if your house needs added moisture on a cold day. Be sure to leave enough liquid (add more if necessary) so you can declare it soup. The broth is the best part. Cook up a pan of corn bread and serve.
Okay, I will take pity on you and suggest you follow these directions to rid your house of the aftermath of cabbage soup. During kitchen clean-up, of which there isn't very much, add the following into a small saucepan: water, whole cloves with a dash of cinnamon (a piece of whole cinnamon is fine) whole all spice if you have it, and a capful of vanilla flavoring. Simmer for one hour. Don't let the water run out. You'll love the fragrance of your house and will not regret that earlier decision to cook delicious and nutritious cabbage soup that's able to feed a large family and even a duke can love the taste.
Don't forget the corn bread.
Enjoy!
To read excerpts from Emma Lane's other Regency novels, please click HERE.
Emma Lane teeter totters between her love for writing and her love for nature. She lives on a few acres with her patient hubby and two cats right outside a lovely village in Western NY.
Boy, Emma, I can still smell that soup! Don't know if it's a good thing or not! LOL! Glad to see you made it over to Sloane's neck of the woods! Best wishes with all your Dukes and Duchesses! Cheers!
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