by CeeCee James
Once the dough and jam have been layered, place a 2" circle (circular cookie cutter) leave a mark in the middle without cutting all the way through. From there, use a knife to slice the dough away from the circular mark, like sun rays. Make16 even cuts.
Take two pieces right next to each other and spin them outward twice. Pinch ends together like the top of a flower petal. Repeat for the remaining strips.
Cover and let rise for about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Once dough has risen, bake for about 20 minute or until the top start to turn golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and serve warm. Options- sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon and sugar.
YUM!
Oscar’s FullBelly Lasagne
1 Italian sausage
2 24oz jarred spaghetti sauce
12 lasagne noodles, cooked according to package instructions— or a little under.
1 egg
1 tsp Italian seasoning.
8 oz. package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
8 oz. package shredded Gruyere cheese
¾ c. Parmesan cheese
15 oz. container ricotta cheese (1 container)
Make meat sauce by browning sausage, drain, and then mixing into spaghetti sauce.
Boil the noodles. Better to err on undercooking than overcooking. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Preheat oven to 375
In a large bowl combine ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning and parmesan
In one baking pan, cover bottom with 2 cups or so of meat sauce
Layer 3 noodles
Layer 1/3 of ricotta mixture, and 1/3 of shredded cheeses
Layer 3 noodles.
Layer 1/3 of meat sauce
Layer 1/3 of ricotta mixture, and 1/3 of shredded cheeses.
Layer 3 noodles.
Layer 1/3 of ricotta mixture, and 1/3 of shredded cheeses
Top with the remaining noodles and the remaining meat sauce.
Cover with foil and bake for twenty minutes. Remove and top with divided mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for another ten to twelve minutes.
Remove lasagne and let it rest for five minutes and then serve!
Delish! And don’t make any bets on if it will snow or not. Or make bets because this dish is worth it.
CeeCee James Chicken Pot Pie aka a cheat version of Cecelia’s Lunch Special.
This is a favorite around my house, and so easy!
8 chicken thighs
2 cans of creamed chicken soup
1-1/2 cup chopped carrots
3 celery stalks— chopped
1/2 onion chopped fine
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups frozen peas
1 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1 can of biscuits
32 oz chicken broth
I like to start with a cast iron pan. Cook chicken and chop or shred. Place in pan. Add cream of chicken soup and chicken broth. Mix well over medium heat. Bring to boil. Turn heat down to simmer. Add all vegetables and seasoning. Simmer for ten minutes. Open biscuit can. Break each biscuit into four to six pieces and drop into the simmering liquid. Gently stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until thickened, about fifteen to twenty minutes.
I love this meal on cold rainy evenings. To me it’s coziness in a pan. Expect no leftovers!
You guys are the best!
Thank you again for joining me for this short story. I can’t tell you how much fun I had writing from Oscar’s point of view. I laughed a few times as I pulled out memories of my own grandparents. Oscar has been an interesting character. For much of his life he was a buttoned-up focused FBI agent, with his family coming second. A far second. And he paid the price.
Years later, for a secret reason, his boys disowned him. He tried to pick up the pieces but when his wife passed without any reconciliation, he kind of gave up. The sadness that descended nearly pulled him into the grave.
Then Cecelia took an interest in him. Just as a neighbor, one kind soul caring for another. Just one time reaching out to make sure another was okay.
Sometimes a few words makes a real difference.
And his path changed.
Suddenly, he realized he wasn’t alone. In the process, he met Georgie and Frank (Cherry Pie or Die, the Baker Street Mysteries). Slowly he came out of his shell and had hope that someone really did care about him.
But this little flamingo keychain will change his life forever.
One thing that Oscar learned was that hope is a magical tool. One that we all have. Things do change, and if he could say something to you now, he’d say, “You’ve got this. You are here for a reason. One step at a time, and keep looking up. And the few words you give to someone— they make a difference in that person’s life. You make a difference.”
Much love and hugs— so grateful for all of you!
More books by CeeCee James
Flamingo Realty Mysteries
Mind Your Manors
A Dead Market
Home Strange Home
Duplex Double Trouble
MidCentury Modern Murder
With Killer Views
Baker Street Mysteries— Join Georgie, amateur sleuth and historical tour guide on her spooky, crazy adventures. As a fun bonus there’s free recipes included!
Cherry Pie or Die
Cookies and Scream
Crème Brûlée or Slay
Drizzle of Death
Slash in the Pan
Terror on Top
Oceanside Hotel Cozy Mysteries—Maisie runs a 5 star hotel and thought she’d seen everything. Little did she know. From haunted pirate tales to Hollywood red carpet events, she has a lot to keep her busy.
Booked For Murder
Deadly Reservation
Final Check Out
Fatal Vacancy
Suite Casualty
Angel Lake Cozy Mysteries—Elise comes home to her home town to lick her wounds after a nasty divorce. Together, with her best friend Lavina, they cook up some crazy mysteries.
The Sweet Taste of Murder
The Bitter Taste of Betrayal
The Sour Taste of Suspicion
The Honeyed Taste of Deception
The Tempting Taste of Danger
The Frosty Taste of Scandal
About CeeCee James
She is a two time USA Today Best Selling mystery author with her hands full with miniature dachshunds and grandkids. Her favorite hobbies besides writing include reading, painting and hiding rocks, crocheting, and making miniatures. Connect with her readers’ page on facebook, and follow her on BookBub and Amazon for flash sales and new releases.
Keep in contact with me! If you are in the reader’s group, you know how fun it is. Have a great day!