Murder in the Museum_Edmund DeCleryk Mysteries

by Karen Shughart

  FABULOUS CARAMELIZED VIDALIA ONION

  DIP

  2 T. butter (use real stick butter and not margarine)

  3 large Vidalia or other sweet onions thinly sliced

  1 8 oz. package cream cheese softened (can use light or regular)

  1 8 oz. block Swiss cheese, shredded (can use reduced fat)

  1 C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  1 C. regular or light mayonnaise

  Sweet potato chips

  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add sliced onions. Cook, stirring often, about 30-45 minutes or until onions are caramel-colored.

  Combine onions with remaining ingredients, except sweet potato chips, and spoon into a lightly greased 1 ½ to 2-cup round baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until dip is golden and bubbly. Serve with sweet potato chips. Yields about 4 cups (enough for a group of six to ten depending on whether or not you are serving other hors’ d’oeuvres).

  Make ahead: Prepare dip a day ahead but do not bake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered.

  FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE

  16 oz. semisweet baking chocolate squares, chopped

  1 C. butter

  2 T. coffee liqueur or 2 T. strong coffee

  8 large eggs, separated

  1 ½ C. sugar

  Favorite chocolate sauce

  Garnishes: whipped cream or whipped topping, fresh raspberries, blueberries and/or strawberries.

  Combine chocolate and butter in a large heavy saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Remove from heat, stir in liqueur and cool slightly.

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat egg whites in a large mixing bowl at high speed with an electric beater until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks and sugar in another large mixing bowl at medium speed until thick and pale. Fold one-third of chocolate mixture into yolk mixture. Gently fold in one-third of egg whites. Fold in remaining chocolate mixture and egg whites. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch spring form pan.

  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until edges are set (center will not be set). Remove from oven, and gently run a knife around edge of pan to release torte. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack; when cooled, cover and chill in refrigerator for 8 hours. Remove sides of pan just before serving. Serve with heated chocolate sauce and berries, if desired. Serves 12.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Karen Shughart received a B.A. in Comprehensive Literature from the University of Pittsburgh and completed graduate courses in English at Shippensburg University.

  She is the author of two non-fiction books, and has worked as an editor, publicist, photographer, journalist, teacher and non-profit executive. Murder in the Museum: An Edmund DeCleryk Mystery is her first work of fiction.

  Before moving to a small village on the shores of Lake Ontario in upstate New York, she and her husband resided in south central Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, PA. For more information, visit her website at: www.karenshughart.com.

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  For other Cozy Cat Press mysteries, visit our website at: www.cozycatpresss.com