SCAVENGER HUNT STOP #9

WELCOME to the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! The Hunt begins at noon (MDT) on 10/18 and goes through midnight on 10/20, so you have plenty of time to find all the clues!!  There are 25 stops. Each stop offers something unique and interesting to read, as well an introduction to a new author and a new novel!   (Some stops will also be offering additional prizes! Including this one!)  

While you're at each stop collect the clue  (listed in red at the bottom of the post) and leave a comment (if allowed on that stop).  You will move from Stop 1 (STARTS at NOON on 10/18 MST) to Stop 26, where you'll fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter to win a new IPAD Mini!  During your stops, gather all the clues to create the completed clue quote and add that into the Rafflecopter form.  

Grand Prize: A new IPAD Mini!
Second and Third Prizes: A copy of every book on the hunt! A total value of over
$300! 

(Open to International entrants.  May be different for individual blog site prizes)

Today, I have the privilege of introducing Author Winnie Griggs to you! Please give her a warm welcome!

Winnie Griggs is a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award winner and the author of fifteen published historical romance novels. She’s been married to her cattle rancher husband for 37 years now and together they’ve raised four proud-to-call-them-mine children. To learn more about Winnie and her books, please visit www.winniegriggs.com

And now, Winnie's Book, A Family for Christmas

An Unexpected Gift 

Eve Pickering knows what it's like to be judged for your past. So she's not about to leave the orphaned boy she's befriended alone in this unfamiliar Texas town. Since Chance Dawson's offer of shelter is the only way to look after Leo, Eve is determined they'll have a warm, welcoming home for the holidays.

Chance came from the big city to make it on his own despite a painful secret. But Eve's strength is giving him a confidence he never expected—and a new direction for his dream. With a little Christmas blessing, he'll dare to win her heart—and make their family one for a lifetime.

Purchase Winnie's Book,  A Family for Christmas at Amazon, Barnes and Noble  or Christianbook.com

And now an exclusive from Winnie Griggs herself!

This month saw the release of the third book in my Texas Grooms series, A Family For Christmas, which features a heroine who opens a confectionary store.  Since the story takes place in 1895, I naturally had to research what sorts of treats she would offer to her customers.  And oh what fun, mouth-watering research it was.  I found there were an array of familiar candies as well as some very exotic-sounding, not so familiar offerings.  And there were a few surprises as well - such as the fact that marshmallows and popcorn were considered candies at that time.  And that chocolates weren’t really a major player in most candy stores until the twentieth century.

As I was writing this story I decided that my heroine’s shop would offer a wide variety of treats but that she would have two specialties - the specialties I chose for her happened to be pecan pralines and pumpkin seed brittle.  Which brings me to my contribution to the not-to-be-found-elsewhere content of this scavenger hunt.  I thought I’d share with you a modern version of each these recipes from my family’s collection. 

The pumpkin seed brittle recipe is one I devised based on a combination of other recipes I came across and the addition of a few personal touches of my own (and be warned - I like mine with a bit of a kick!). 

The pecan praline recipe comes from my sister Joy (I’m not a fan of pecans so I’ve never cooked this one).  Joy’s pralines have become a traditional staple at our family Christmas gatherings and tend to disappear fast.

Winnie’s Spicy Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups  shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup white granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon  unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

Optional:  1 tsp. cayenne pepper (or to taste)

Directions: 

Generously grease a large baking sheet (18x12 or larger). Set aside.

If the seeds are already roasted skip this step and go on to the next.  In a large skillet, over medium heat, toast the raw pumpkin seeds until lightly brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

Mix the water, corn syrup, and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, ensuring it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pan.

Cook without stirring, until the temperature reaches 285 degrees F (140 degrees C).

Stir in the toasted pumpkin seeds and spices.  Continue to cook the mixture, stirring frequently to prevent the candy from scorching as well as to keep the seeds from sticking to the bottom of the pan, until the temperature reaches 300 degrees F  (149 degrees C).

Remove the pan from heat and carefully stir in the baking soda, vanilla, and butter (the brittle will foam up when the baking soda is added so be careful).  Stir until everything is well mixed and the foaming settles.

Immediately pour the brittle, as thinly as possible, onto the buttered baking sheet. If you want a thinner brittle, spread with a well-greased spatula.  The brittle will set quickly so you must work with haste

Let the brittle completely cool and then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container or a plastic freezer bag as this will prevent the brittle from becoming sticky and breaking down.

Store at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Makes about 1 1/2 pounds.

 Joy’s Old Fashioned Pecan Pralines

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (NOTE: Do not use margarine!  If all you have is margarine, cook something else)

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

5 oz can evaporated milk

2 tablespoons vanilla

Other Items Needed:

Newspaper or brown paper bags

Wax paper

Heavy saucepan

Directions: 

Prepare counter where pralines will be dropped (This should be done as close to the stove as possible because you’ll want to keep the candy mixture warm while you’re dropping them onto the paper).  Layer of 2-4 layers of newspaper or brown paper, then top with the wax paper.  The newspaper/brown paper keeps the pralines from sticking and breaking when you remove them from the wax paper. 

Cook the first 4 ingredients on medium to low heat, stirring frequently, until they reach hard-ball stage.  (At this point the sugar should be the same color as the pecans) Test by dropping a spoonful on the wax paper.  You'll know it's done if the praline keeps it's shape and gets dull when it cools (about 2 minutes).  If the praline flattens and stays glossy, continue cooking.

When mixture is cooked, add the vanilla and stir.  Turn the heat to the lowest setting and begin spooning individual pralines onto wax paper.  If mixture gets stiff and becomes difficult to spoon out, add a little milk and stir to mix.

Let the pralines cool completely before removing from wax paper. 

Store at room temperature in air tight container.

 There you have it.  I hope you enjoy these two candy recipes.  And I’d love to hear from you at winnie@winniegriggs.com

 
MaryLu Here!!!  Yummy. Those recipes sound delicious, Winnie!. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

The Scavenger Hunt Skinny

Before you go, write down this stop number 9 Clue:  from

Your next stop is Winnie Griggs' Website! 

Make sure you make the rounds to all 25 stops and then enter the Rafflecopter form at stop #26 back at Lisa Bergren’s site, to be in the running for all the big prizes!

BONUS PRIZE!!!!

For a chance to win the gift basket pictured above (valued at $50) that contains

• Angelina's Sweet Butter Cookies
• Lady Walton Amaretto Cookie
• Lady Walton Dark Chocolate Cookie
• Chocolate Toffee
• Ghirardelli Caramel Chocolates
• Caramel Corn
• Honey Cashew Nuts
• Camembert Cheese
• Black Peppercorn Crackers
• Sesame Crackers
• Cafe Caramel Mocha Mix
• Reusable Willow Basket

Like my Facebook Page AND Sign up for my Email News!

(Both the links to my FB page and the Signup for my email news are on the right column of this page... just scroll up. Come on... it only takes a minute!!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Leave a comment about Winnie's post and put the email you used to sign up for my newsletter. That's it!!! And you're entered. (Entrants for bonus prize must be in the USA. Sorry)

I'll draw a winner on Tuesday, the 22nd.