Review of a Christmas time novella and a recipe for eggnog oatmeal and super simple eggless nog so you can make this tasty oatmeal even when the grocery stores don’t have eggnog. The homemade eggnog is worth making even if you don’t use it to make oatmeal.
Robbie Jordan’s restaurant and store show no signs of slowing down during the days before Christmas. This novella is technically counted as Country Store Mystery #6.5 as it is a short 114 pages. The fast paced mystery novella also includes some holiday recipes including Eggnog Oatmeal. I included a recipe for Eggless Nog since the grocery stores refuse to celebrate Christmas in July by stocking eggnog.
Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse by Maddie Day
Eggnog Oatmeal and Recipe for Eggless-Nog
from a Cozy Mystery Novella by Maddie Day
Book Review Outline and Tone:
Set just days before Christmas in Salt Lick, Indiana, Robbie’s restaurant and store, Pans ‘n Pancakes is a busy hub for her town. Robbie manages to find herself in the middle of another murder when she dines with the victim and her boyfriend’s parents the night before he dies. Robbie has to figure out what the motivation for the murder is. The victim is involved with questionable businesses, fraud, and even puppy mills.
This novella has a number of plausible suspects. One of the best parts about this novella is its fast pace. In only 114 pages, author Maddie Day grabs our attention, provides several false leads before uncovering the killer and still manages to have a merry Christmas.
The fast paced mystery novella also includes some holiday recipes including Eggnog Oatmeal. I included a recipe for Eggless Nog since the grocery stores refuse to celebrate Christmas in July by stocking eggnog.
The Best Quote:
Buck, the town sheriff and all around good guy, seems to fit several stereotypes of small town rural folk. One stereotype is the use of poor grammar and odd expressions. This quote caught my attention. “Turns out, some of them tests take a while to react or some such thing. I don’t know laboratory science from Adam’s of ox, ‘course, so I just gotta believe the experts.
Point of View:
First person told from Robbie Jordan’s perspective.
The Author: Maddie Day
Maddie Day is one of my favorite authors to follow on social media. She posts regularly on Twitter @edithmaxwell. She also has a large following on Instagram and Facebook. Like so many authors, Maddie Day is a pseudonym for Edith Maxwell. She has at least six book series that can all be found on her website which is elaborate and has inside information and reviews for all of her books.
What is not to like?:
I have no complaints about this novella. If you are busy with life in general, or because of the holiday season, this is an excellent quick read to help you unwind.
The verdict:
I really enjoy Robbie and all of her cast of characters. Robbie is a strong woman with strong friends and family. This is a great series.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
It all starts with Eggnog: Assemble ingredients for Eggless-Nog
Blend 2 cups milk, sugar, pudding mix,
rum flavored extract, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger in a blender on medium-high speed until smooth;
pour into a pitcher.
Stir remaining 3 cups milk into mixture.
Refrigerate eggnog until thickened, at least 1 hour. Stir well before serving.
I put it in my refrigerator overnight and made the oatmeal in the morning. This Eggless-Nog is fantastic! It tastes exactly like regular eggnog. It will thicken a bit overnight.
Eggless-Nog
Ingredients
- 5 cups milk, divided
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1½ tsp rum-flavored extract
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
Instructions
- Blend 2 cups milk, sugar, pudding mix, rum flavored extract, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger in a blender on medium-high speed until smooth.
- Pour into a pitcher, stir remaining 3 cups milk into mixture.
- Refrigerate until thickened, at least 1 hour.
- Stir well before serving.
Now for the Eggnog Oatmeal
Assemble the Ingredients
Bring dairy just to a boil.
Stir in oats and salt,
reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 6 minutes or until desired texture [Check oatmeal package for cooking time].
Use a quality silicone spatula that won’t melt.
This picture show the flat silicone spatula from the 3 piece set. Also in the picture is the OXO whisk and flipping spatula
Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Serve hot.
Eggnog Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup eggnog
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅔ cups steel cut oats
Instructions
- Bring dairy just to a boil.
- Stir in oats and salt, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 6 minutes or until desired texture. [Mine cooked for 12 minutes, check the oatmeal package for cooking time].
- Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Serve hot.
Shop Food Huggers Customer Favorites
Christmas Ginger Snap Cookies from A Catered Christmas by Isis Crawford
Magical Christmas Date Cake from Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Onion Brie Palmier from Death of a Christmas Caterer by Lee Hollis
