Sneaking Up on the Holidays by Nancy Fraser

With less than a week until Thanksgiving and just 33 days until Christmas, I'm currently fine-tuning my holiday expectations.

Oh, and previewing every dessert recipe that comes across Facebook. So far, I think there have been forty-two. Some looked interesting, some looked complicated, some I wouldn't touch with a pair of 14 inch tongs.

I get at least two requests per day from the grandchildren. "Can you make this one, Grandma?" I usually respond with, "Okay, but something else will have to go." Unfortunately, for them, they're unwilling to give up their three favorites (sweet potato pie, banana pudding, and heart-attack potatoes), so I may be safe from having to add to my duties.

Of course, that doesn't mean I won't test drive a recipe or two before the holidays.

I thought I might share a recipe for the Heart Attack Potatoes today, since earlier this month I shared a dessert. Fair warning though ... you might want to have a defibralator close by the dinner table. Think scalloped potatoes on steroids!

Grandma's Heart Attack Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4-5 large potatoes (Yukon Gold are preferred), peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (1/4 pound) butter
• 2 cloves minced garlic (or 1 Tablespoon if using from a jar)
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
• 1 8oz package cream cheese
• 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and Pepper to taste (be generous)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly butter the bottom and sides of an 11x14 baking dish
2. Place potatoes and 2 teaspoons salt in a large pot covering completely with cold water
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, add onion and saute for 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and Italian seasons and continue sauteeing for another 2 minutes to mix
5. Cut cream cheese into squares and add to butter mixture. Heat through until melted.
6. Add milk and cream and stir until all cheese is melted and everything combined.
7. Drain potatoes and arrange in baking dish. Cover with sauce and top with grated Parmesan.
8. Bake for 50 minutes until bubbly and potatoes are coooked through.
9. Let set 10 minutes before serving.

Hint: This also makes a delicious meal by adding leftover chicken, turkey, beef, or even ground beef.

* * *

I often feature food in my books. My very first book actually included recipes that were sounded out verbally by the heroine and she talked. I appreciated the great comments I received at the time, so I've often repeated the extra treat in later books.

One of my favorite recipes is included in my novella, Paging Dr. Cupid. It's for the heroine's famous Monte Cristo sandwiches. The story's just as tasty as the recipe!

Newly appointed Chief of Emergency Medicine Dr. Garrett Langley can't seem to find a secretary to keep up with his demands. His love life isn’t going so well, either. He recently lost his long-time girlfriend to his older brother and saw a workplace romance end in disaster, leaving him with a busy career but no love life.

Piano prodigy Grace Valentyne forfeited the second half of her Julliard scholarship to come home to California and care for her mother. Now, with her mother gone, she must find a job in order to pay for the remainder of her education. When offered the opportunity to work for the physician nicknamed Dr. Cupid, she jumps at the chance.

Grace soon finds herself in over her head—and not just with the office equipment. But falling for the boss won’t get her back to Julliard. She needs to keep her focus and not let the sexy doctor derail her professional goals.

***

There's still time to enter our November Rafflecopter. The prizes include:

Grand Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
2nd Prize: $20.00 Amazon Gift Card
3rd Prize: $15.00 Amazon Gift Card
4th Prize: $10.00 Amazon Gift Card
5th Prize: $5.00 Amazon Gift Card

You can get all the details on our Monthly Giveaway page, including the full-length entry form. Or, you can just click HERE for the short form!

Either way, you're on your way to winning!

Until next month, appreciate everything you have to be thankful for ... not just the yummy leftovers!

Nancy