It's

Cozy Food Friday

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

Today I'm featuring 

SECRETS AND PIES

Book 3 in the Callie's Kitchen Mysteries

by Jenny Kales

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of Callie’s Kitchen! Greek-American restaurateur Callie Costas faces down another killer in picturesque Crystal Bay, Wisconsin. Summertime in Crystal Bay means tourist season for Calliope “Callie” Costas, owner of Callie’s Kitchen, a Greek-meets-Midwest from-scratch eatery. Business is booming but so is the stress. Callie can barely keep up with the demand for her famous summer fruit pies and savory Greek delicacies, plus she’s agreed to bake dozens of “pitas” for the annual Greek Fest. When Callie is asked to deliver cast party treats for a Murder Mystery Night at the historic Harris House, it seems like a welcome break from her hot stove. That is, until she finds herself an unwilling player in yet another suspicious death. Worse yet, the victim is a family friend and graduate student working on a project involving Crystal Bay’s colorful past. Before long, a motley crew of suspects makes things as juicy as the succulent berries strewn around Callie’s Kitchen. And that’s not all Callie’s got on her plate. Add family obligations, a deepening romance with a local detective and unexpected personnel problems to the mix. One thing’s for sure: Callie’s got the recipe for a long, hot summer!

About Jenny

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Jenny Kales is the author of The Callie’s Kitchen Mystery Series, featuring Greek-American Calliope Costas, feisty food business owner and amateur sleuth. The setting of the story, “Crystal Bay,” is inspired by a favorite family vacation spot – Wisconsin’s beautiful Geneva Lakes. ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK is the debut book in the series, followed by SPICED AND ICED. The author is currently hard at work on Book 3!

Jenny is an avid reader, cook and baker and she’s addicted to mystery TV, especially anything on Masterpiece Mystery or BBC America. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she lives just outside of Chicago with her husband, two daughters and one cute but demanding Yorkshire terrier. Keep up with author news for Jenny Kales by following her on social media: Facebook (@JennyKalesMysteryAuthor), Twitter @Jenny_Kales, Instagram (jennykales_author) and Goodreads. Visit her website at https://jennykales.wordpress.com/

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From Jenny

The day after Thanksgiving, we might feel as stuffed as the turkey we just feasted on. Besides the turkey, we’ve likely indulged in mashed potatoes, gravy, numerous side dishes and sumptuous desserts. Christmas and New Year’s with their rich foods are just around the corner. It might be time for some lighter, more wholesome fare to sustain us through this most festive and food-filled of all seasons. 

I’ve got the perfect recipe to get your day going right: Baked Oatmeal Cups! These tasty little cups are just right for baking on a Sunday and heating up during your busy week. They’re also easily popped in the freezer and taken out and reheated as needed! What could be easier? 

Grab one as you head out the door on your way to work, or to another round of Christmas shopping. They’re also perfect for kids. If you’re like me and you prefer your oatmeal to be in a cookie, you will LOVE these. I also like this recipe because it is definitely something that my main character and amateur sleuth, Callie Costas, would serve to her famished and holiday stressed-out customers on those frosty Wisconsin mornings. 

Enjoy this hearty, yet wholesome recipe. It’s great fuel for the holiday season and warms you right up without weighing you down.

BAKED OATMEAL CUPS

Food photos property of and courtesy of Jenny Kales

Ingredients:

4 cups uncooked oats (quick oats or old fashioned)

2 cups low-fat milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 Tbsp honey

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup applesauce

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (optional)

2 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

Toppings of choice: chopped fresh apples, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, raisins or other dried fruits

Vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt for serving, optional

Instructions: 

   Heat oven to 350°F. Have ready a 12-cup standard muffin tin. Spray the muffin tin with baking spray, or line cups with paper liners.

   Place oats in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, combine milk, vanilla, applesauce, cinnamon, and eggs. Blend well, then add to oats and mix until thoroughly blended. Let mixture stand a few minutes, then divide evenly among muffin cups. If you like, sprinkle your topping of choice over the muffin cups. If using apple topping, sprinkle a little more cinnamon on top before placing muffin tin in the oven.

   Bake 15 to 20 minutes or just until set. Cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before removing from pan. Serve warm. Top with a little vanilla Greek yogurt if desired. The cool yogurt with the warm oatmeal cup is delicious.

   To freeze leftover oatmeal cups, place in freezer bag; seal securely. Freeze up to 2 months. To reheat in microwave, place one oatmeal cup on microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high in 10 second intervals or until heated through.

Thank you, Jenny!

Hands up . . . Who else is going to try these very, very soon?

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Please keep reading and check out my 

installments of 

Book Beginnings on Fridays

and

The Friday 56

Both the BB and 56 are from

You won't find the recipe for Baked Oatmeal Cups in

 SECRETS AND PIES

but you will find many other amazing recipes!

Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader

Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading

The Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda's Voice

Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's okay.) *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you. *Post it.

My Book Beginnings

Like a good pie crust, life needs a balance of ingredients, or you may be disappointed by the results.

My 56 

(56% on Kindle)

"You don't happen to remember the name of the person who wrote the article, do you?" Callie asked, thinking that the author of the piece might have some illuminating theories. 

BOOK ONE                                     BOOK TWO

BOOK THREE

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