Sisters working together to cater a New Year’s Eve party for that side of the family that causes more drama than the average person can tolerate. They need to try to solve a ten year old murder and deal with cousin Ada who is drama personified.
This is book #15 in the A Mystery with Recipe Series by Isis Crawford. Many of the cozy mysteries in this series revolve around holidays. If you are looking to celebrate, Ms. Crawford has a book for that.
A Catered New Year’s Eve by Isis Crawford
Cozy Mystery Novel with Recipes Book Review
Outline and Tone:
“Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters” I love that song from the movie White Christmas. That song rings true with Libby and Bernie, the lead protagonists from A Catered New Year’s Eve. And just like real life sisters, one takes on the burden of keeping the other one safe and in line. In this novel Libby is the one who needs to keep Bernie from getting them into too much trouble. However, trouble is easy to find when you are trying to solve a murder (or 2) that has taken place on your mom’s side of the family. You know that group of relatives, the ones who cause more drama than is worth it. If you can’t identify relatives like that in your family, perhaps it is you. The ultimate drama queen, their cousin Ada asks Libby and Bernie to cater her family’s New Year’s Eve party and at the same time try to figure out who is responsible for her dad’s death that took place 10 years ago. Seems like a daunting task to me. Of course Libby and Bernie are ultimately successful, but not without the help of their retired police officer dad, Sean. Sean enlisted the help of 2 old friends (and by old friends I mean they are literally old), McCready, and Eckleburger. I’m new to this series and I realize this is not the first one in the series, but I thought these old men were hilarious. I hope they are highlighted in more novels.
The author:
Isis Crawford is the pen name for Barbara Block. Isis’s family were in the diplomatic corps which means she traveled as a child. She was born in Egypt and her family moved back to the US when she was five. Barbara has been around food service all her life as her mom opened a restaurant when Barbara was young. Ms. Crawford has a great interactive website that showcases her books and her recipes. She also has a Facebook page that highlights her books.
What is not to like?:
I wish I knew more about Libby and Bernie. So much of the novel focused on the mystery, but I want to know more about these ladies. I hope to learn more as I go back and pick up the first book in this series.
The verdict:
One of the best parts is that the plot kept me guessing until almost the end. The elderly men and friends of Libby and Bernie’s father may be the runaway stars of the novel.
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Assemble the ingredients
Important note from Molly. This recipe calls for using a pudding mold, as in a Christmas pudding, the type that is steamed for cooking. I, however, did not have a pudding mold, but I had a heat resistant silicone mold and aluminum foil. The results were fantastic! Don’t let the directions about using a steamed pudding mold intimidate you. Any heat resistant Bundt type pan and tightly applied aluminum foil will work.
Generously grease a 2-quart steaming mold. I wasn’t sure if I needed to grease the silicone mold (it seems like nothing sticks to it), but I felt better safe than sorry and applied a layer of Pan Coat.
Beat together eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom.
In another separate bowl combine oil, honey, coffee, and vanilla.
Now is a good time to highlight some tools that make this bake a bit easier. I use the OXO Good Grips Adjustable 2-cup Measuring Cup whenever I need to measure something sticky like honey, molasses, shortening etc. As you twist the bottom part it pushes out the ingredient and scrapes the sides.
OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup, Clear/Black
Then when I had to stir together all of the wet ingredients the OXO 2-Cup Angled Measuring Cup worked well because it allowed me to pour the ingredients into the mixer.
Easy to read measure marks on inside of cup. Dishwasher safe.
Finally check out the awesome and awesomely cut OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Measuring Beaker Set. Not only are they cute to have and to use, but make measuring a variety of wet ingredients super easy. I love using them!
Add wet and dry ingredients to egg mixture alternately, mixing well after each addition. Stir in walnuts if using. I did not use walnuts, they are not a hit in my family.
It is worth it to get the larger stand mixer. This is big enough to handle any recipe and most recipes when doubled!
Spoon batter into steaming mold. Place a canning ring or canning jar ring in the base of a large pot. Put mold on the ring. Fill the pot with water up to half the height of the mold.
Place a lid on a large pot. Bring water to a simmer and simmer for 2½ hours. Remove from water. Place mold on the cooling rack and remove top. Unmold once cool.
The time had come. Did my idea of using a silicone mold and tightly applied aluminum foil work? I was nervous to check.
It worked! and when it was cooled, I inverted it onto a plate and added some extra honey drizzle.
What would I do differently next time?
I was really happy how it turned out. I might add some chocolate chips next time, or add some dried fruit like craisins or yellow raisins.
New Year's Day Honey Sweet Cake from: A Catered New Year's Eve
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp sald
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- 1½ tsp cardamom
- 1 cup honey
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 2 Tbsp coffee
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup chopped walnuts- Optional
Instructions
- Generously grease a 2-quart steaming mold.
- Beat together eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom.
- In another separate bowl combine oil, honey, coffee, and vanilla.
- Add wet and dry ingredients to egg mixture alternately, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in walnuts if using.
- Spoon batter into steaming mold.
- Place a canning ring or canning jar ring in the base of a large pot.
- Put mold on the ring.
- Fill the pot with water up to half the height of the mold.
- Place a lid on a large pot. Bring water to a simmer and simmer for 2½ hours.
- Remove from water. Place mold on the cooling rack and remove top.
- Unmold once cool.
- Note: Our favorite way to eat this is toasted with butter.[Molly's family likes this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream]
Did you get an orange in your Christmas stocking this year? Try this Dreamy Orange Dreamsicle Cake
Maybe you have a Bundt pan and are looking for another cake, try the Ultimate Butterscotch Bundt Cake.
