Let’s welcome author D.B. McNicol to Writer Wednesday on the blog!! Donna has another “mom” recipe to share with us – YAY! – along with her book, Not A Whisper. I’m thinking I just might be in the mood for a romantic suspense novel. What about you?
Made by D.B. McNicol
This is a recipe from childhood, something my mother concocted. My brothers and I loved it and we have all passed it on to our kids who grew up loving it as well. She called it “Goulash” but it’s not the dish that typically comes to mind. Quick, simple, tasty! – Donna
My Mother’s Goulash
1 pound ground beef
2 small or 1 large can of Italian Stewed Tomatoes
Optional: make yours from scratch for less sodium
1 cup pasta
1 small onion or dehydrated onion
Add pasta to pan of boiling water. Boil for two minutes. Stir, cover and set aside to cook.
Brown the ground beef mixing in the chopped onion or sprinkling with the dehydrated onion.
When beef is browned, drain off grease and add the stewed tomatoes. You can drain the liquid but I use it all since there are usually leftovers and this keeps them moist. Chop the tomatoes smaller.
Drain the pasta when done, add to the beef and tomatoes. Stir and simmer for 5 or so minutes.
Serve and top with grated cheese and/or Mrs. Dash Original.
Approximately 6 servings
NOTE: my mother always used sea shells, I often mix types of pasta and here in Ecuador we currently use vegetable pasta. When we heat the leftovers we add a dab of butter … almost better the second time around. – Donna
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Not A Whisper
Synopsis: When Cherie Marshall catches her fiancé and best friend in a compromising position, she cancels her upcoming wedding and jumps at the chance to escape to quiet Klondike, Pennsylvania to care for her elderly aunt. She thought her biggest issue would be adapting to life in the middle of a National Forest, so very different from her upbringing in the deserts of Arizona. But that was before she met State Trooper Fire Marshall Jamison “Jazz” Maddox at the scene of a mysterious fire. As they both become acquainted with the close-knit Klondike residents, things get complicated as Cherie and Jazz find themselves in the middle of a local crime wave where arson, kidnapping, embezzlement and a decades old murder are just the tip of the iceberg.
Early reader comments:
“What a great read. I didn’t see the end coming. Can’t wait until the next book is out. Fast paced, twists and turns and a little romance thrown in. WTG!!”
“Fantastic Donna! Best book I’ve read in a long time. Excited to hear more about these characters.”
“I’m about half way through and loving it. Very hard to put down, a great read!”
Donna B. McNicol retired after 30+ years working in the IT industry. She spent many of those years writing technical documents and user instructions. In 1996 she began moonlighting in freelance writing; she spent the next ten years writing for such online sites as The Mining Company, Suite101, BellaOnline and About.com.
A year into widowhood, she decided to ride the 48 continental US states on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, solo. Over five months and several trips she managed to ride through 42 states, covering over 27,000 miles. In 2007 she started full-time RVing, traveling the USA. In 2008 she met her husband and they married in 2009.
In 2012, while traveling the country in their 41’ fifth wheel trailer (with room for their two motorcycles), she decided to give fiction writing a try. Her first book, “Home Again” was published in 2012, quickly followed by “Barely a Spark” and “Not a Whisper” in 2013. She has also written several short stories and flash fiction compilations as well as a children’s picture book.
She and her husband currently reside in Cuenca, Ecuador where she continues her writing.
Now if only I can cook that goulash and eat it while reading Donna’s book! That would be a real feast!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
Agreed, Kathryn!
Sounds yummerish Donna – great “comfort food”. I’m going to try this – though… I’ve yet to unearth canned Italian tomatoes here in Cuenca, surely fresh with basil and oregano cooked down would do, yes?
I believe Donna mentioned that the dish pictured in this post was made from fresh stewed tomatoes. I should have mentioned that in the post!!
Glad to hear it Meghan – the recipe calls for “2 small or 1 large can” of stewed tomatoes. But no doubt I can whip up my own easily enough.
Travel lass, no stewed tomatoes here. We either use canned tomatoes, just found canned plum tomatoes, and spice them up, or make it from scratch with lots of spices and garlic.
Thanks Donna. Yep canned or fresh tomatoes (I think the latter at the mercado are cheaper) and a bit of spices will no doubt do nicely. I’ve still not found a lot of spices, but I know they’re out there somewhere… 😉