January 28, 2015

Blake's Grilled Cheese Recipe / Very Inspiring Blogger Award



EXCERPT from 30 SECONDS:

“I figured if you wanted to cause me harm, you sure as hell wouldn’t be cooking for me.”

He shrugged as he continued to stir. “I thought you’d be hungry.”

“You thought right. The last time I had something to eat was a bagel at one o’clock this morning.”

“Then you’re starving.”

She chuckled. “I am.”

He motioned for her to sit at the table. “I don’t know what you like, so I made everything I know how to cook.” He set a plate on the green placemat in front of her. She looked at it and grinned. He had made a tomato grilled cheese sandwich, homemade mashed potatoes, and spaghetti.

Blake sat across from her with his own plate and looked at her. “Why are you smiling at the food?”

“No reason,” she insisted. “It’s exactly what I would’ve made.”

“Is that bad?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s good. It looks good.”

With that said, she dug right into her food. The cheese was gooey, the mashed potatoes were excellent, and the spaghetti tasted like it came from an Italian restaurant. And she ate every last bite. “Those mashed potatoes were fabulous,” she claimed.

“My grandmother’s recipe. It was the only thing she was able to teach me how to cook. My sister is the chef in the family. That spaghetti sauce was hers.”

“She makes her own spaghetti sauce?”

“She uses it in her restaurant and sells it to her customers. She gives me a couple of jars every month.”

“Tell your sister she makes the best damn sauce I’ve ever tasted. And that grilled cheese was also the best I ever had. No lie.”

“Well now, I created the grilled cheese on my own.” He picked up the plates and set them in the sink.

“I’m going to go up and take a shower. The door will be unlocked if you need me.”

“Okay.” She didn’t know why the little detail about the door being unlocked while he was wet and naked had her heart racing.

Oh, wait, that’s why!

***
I didn’t describe Blake’s grilled cheese sandwich like in the recipe below, but when I thought more about how Blake would’ve made it, he told me. It’s a bit gourmet than your traditional white sandwich bread and American cheese combo, but it’s delicious!


Blake’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Need:
Two slices of thickly sliced bread
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Shredded cheddar cheese
Tomato, diced
Butter
Garlic powder

1. Mix a dash of garlic powder into a tablespoon (or so) of butter. Slather the garlic butter onto two slices of thickly sliced bread, such as Italian, French, or Cubano.

2. Heat a skillet, set one slice of bread, buttered side down, onto skillet.

3. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

4. Add diced tomatoes, top with an equal amount of shredded cheddar cheese and the other slice of bread, buttered side up.

5. Brown each side to a nice golden. Cut in half, let cool, and enjoy!

NOTE: Blake says you can omit the garlic better if you want. But to add flavor, you can smear a little basil pesto on the inside of the bread before adding the shredded mozzarella cheese.

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Very Inspiring Blogger Award


Thank you so much, Sherry Ellis, for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Getting one of these awards from a fellow blogger always feels like an incredible honor, and it never dulls. Lidy Wilks nominated me for this award a few days later. Thank you! :) 

Below I am sharing 3 things that have inspired me recently. When I had to nominate bloggers, I had a major brain fart and I wanted to get this up quickly, so I only nominated 6 people. If you’re reading this though, I nominate you too! :)


The Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.

2. Display the award logo.

3.
Nominate 15 other bloggers (more or less) and provide a link where they may be found.

4. Go to their blog, leave a comment to let them know they have been nominated.

5. Mention three things that inspired you the most during the past few weeks.


Three Things that Inspired Me Recently:

1. I have been listening to the song “Chandelier” by Sia on repeat for days. I remember when I first heard it on a trailer for a movie last year and my ears perked up like a dog expecting a treat. I desperately wanted to know who the singer was and what the song title was, but time went by and I still didn’t know. Silly me, I could’ve Googled it or just listened to the newest album for a singer I like. Well, I finally stumbled upon it last week and I’ve been listening to “Chandelier” ever since while writing book 3 in my Disaster Crimes series. The rest of the songs on Sia’s album “1000 Forms of Fear” are also amazing! The video for “Chandelier” is also inspiring.




2. Roland Yeoman recently posted his 8 Simple Rules. While reading each one I was nodding in agreement. His posts are always thoughtful, but this one really inspired me because he shared a story with us that demonstrated how bad life can get, but he followed it with a reminder of how blessed we are.

3. I’ve wanted to go to Ireland for years, and next year I may just get the chance, so I’ve been doing research on Ireland and writing things down in a pretty journal I got for Christmas. Planning a dream vacation that may actually happen feels wonder, and Ireland, a place of mystery and magic, has always inspired me.


Nominations:

Roland Yeomans' posts are creative and thoughtful. Sometimes the ghost of Mark Twain takes over his blog.

Arlee Bird created the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. How much more inspiring can you get? You can sign up NOW

Gina Stoneheart is a dear friend of mine. Her posts are insightful.

Lisa Thomson blogs about marriage and divorce. You don’t need to be going through divorce to appreciate her advice. I often use her tips for relationships with my family and friends.

Stephen Tremp blogs a lot about space, which I love! The stars, moon, and planets have inspired me ever since I was a kid.

Cherdo's posts are funny and sarcastic. They make me smile and a smile is always inspiring.


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QUESTIONS: Do you have a ingredient you use when you make grilled cheese? When was the last time you had a grilled cheese sandwich? I had one for lunch yesterday! :) What has inspired you recently?


SALE! Hurricane Crimes is on sale for 99 cents! Get it here:

Amazon / NOOK / KOBO All Romance eBooks / BookStrand

64 comments:

  1. I'm glad I was already eating lunch when I read this or I'd be very hungry. :)

    Congrats on the award!

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    1. I'm glad you were eating, too. :) Thanks, Nick!

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  2. Haven't had grilled cheese in ages. More of a pbj girl. :)

    I've been inspired lately by just going outside, going for walks with my husband, and enjoying the fresh, sunny and cool FL air and the nature in our neighborhood. :)

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    1. I love PB&J! :D

      I've been enjoying walks, too. I also live in Florida and the chilly, sunny weather is perfect for walking.

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  3. Congratulations! Roland's eight simple rules were great.
    I'd say add both garlic and basil.

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    1. Thanks, Alex! His rules were great. Garlic and basil together would be yummy.

      Delete
  4. I think I've said it before, but your book looks exciting.And now I'm going to eat something, because you just made me hungry :)

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    1. Thanks, Vanessa! But I'm sorry for making you hungry. Or am I? :P

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  5. You are VERY deserving of this award. Most definitely an inspiring blogger. And I am madly craving some grilled cheese right now :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you so much, Keith. I was going to nominate you, because I think you and your blog are awesome, but I noticed that Sherry nominated both of us. Hehe! That was my intention; to make everyone crave grilled cheese. ;)

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  6. Holy gosh, that sandwich sounds good! And I'm starving....

    ReplyDelete
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    1. If you have the ingredients, you can make it! :D

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  7. I've never actually made a grilled cheese sandwich before! Huh. I guess I'll have to give it a try.

    Congrats on the nomination!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've never made a grilled cheese sandwich? *gasp* :P

      Thanks, Loni!

      Delete
  8. This is really weird but I was thinking about grilled cheese for tonight. Now I have to try it with the garlic. Everyone in the family loves grilled cheese.

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    1. Awesome! I hop you like the garlic in it. It adds nice flavor.

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  9. Mmm, now I'm really hungry. Is it lunchtime yet? I love the idea of adding garlic to the butter for grilled cheese.

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    1. I'm glad you like the garlic butter idea. It's easy to do and adds a lot of flavor.

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  10. Those are a lot of carbs and disparate tastes at the meal in the excerpt! These days, almost the only dairy I still eat are goat and sheep cheese, and I don't care for vegan cheese substitutes. Although there is an awesome vegan macaroni and cheese recipe I discovered some months back.

    I used to love grilled cheese, and often ordered it for lunch at community college, till I discovered it's usually made by putting butter on the bread. I hate butter. I also began feeling uncomfortable since the grilled cheese was made on the same griddle as decidedly non-kosher food, like sandwiches with bacon.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes, my characters weren't watching their diets. ;) I'm vegetarian, but I still eat diary. I can't cut cheese from my diet. NOPE! Can't do it! :P

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  11. Don't think I've ever eaten grilled cheese haha picky eater indeed at my sea. Congrats on the award

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    1. You've never even ate grilled cheese before? It's an American classic!
      Thanks, Pat.

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  12. Thanks for the nomination. It means a lot. It means even more than you liked my post on my 8 Simple Rules. Thanks, Alex, for mentioning me. :-)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You're welcome, Roland. I think everyone who read that post enjoyed it. :)

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  13. Fantastic excerpt to share from 30 Seconds... I totally remember that scene=)
    We had a snow day yesterday and I was totally going to make a grilled cheese!! The shredded cheeses were staring me down when I opened the fridge but mac and cheese won me over. That and two blueberry muffins! I was such a fatty yesterday during my writing session, lol
    Thank you so much for this wonderful award, Chrys!! You are so sweet

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I love mac and cheese! It's one of my comfort foods. So is grilled cheese. I just love cheese!

      You're welcome, Gina! You always deserve them :)

      Delete
  14. I love grilled cheese! I'm simple, though--I just like my cheese and bread. There was actually a grilled cheese making scene in my WIP but it's most likely getting the ax with all the edits I'm making. I still kinda want to find a way to save it, though.
    Congrats on the award!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually make my grilled cheese with just white bread and slice cheese, but sometimes I like to get creative with it. You can keep that scene, Sarah. It's nice to have some simple scenes thrown into a story, and something like that would be relate-able. Thanks!

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  15. There's so much about all of this post that I love. Blake is one sassy dude and any woman would fall for a man who has those recipes down pat.

    OMG, SIA!! I am obsessed with this video. I've fallen a little in love with that dancing imp, too. The song brings tears to my eyes. She sings it a capella with a piano that is quite stunning as well.

    Last, thank you so much for the award nomination, Chrys!! I appreciate that so very much. I want to check out the other bloggers too. Of course, I know Gina. She's a genuine, beautiful human being.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Ha! I loved Blake, which is why I wrote a prequel to 30 Seconds just for him. I hope to publish it next year. :)

      Another Sia fan! Yay! I was memorized when I watched that little girl dance. She's so good!

      You're so very welcome, Lisa! And yes, Gina is a beautiful person.

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  16. Now I'm hungry after reading about all that food!

    I really like Sia's Chandelier Song. She has a great voice. I had never seen the video, but the girl is one heck of a dancer!

    I hope you get to go to Ireland. That would be awesome!

    I'll go check out all the other bloggers you mentioned.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Haha! That was my secret goal. ;)

      Sia does have a great voice, and the little girl is amazing, isn't she?

      Thanks, Sherry! I hope so, too. :)

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  17. ha, I had a grilled cheese last night for dinner!

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  18. A dash of Worcestershire sauce is good with melted cheese.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh, I've never done that before. I love Worcestershire sauce, though. I should give it a try. Thanks!

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  19. That song is great and Sia comes from Adelaide ;)

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  20. Congrats on the award. I'd love to go to Ireland too.

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    1. Thanks! Hopefully we both get the chance to go to Ireland. :)

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  21. Oh my god, Blake's grilled cheese sounds AMAZING! Can he come make some for me, please? ;)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I'm not sure if Dani (my heroine) would like that very much. lol

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  22. I like to use a couple of different cheeses when I make a grilled cheese for myself. I made just a single sliced one for my son for his dinner tonight. He just loves the plain American slice! Congrats on the award. :)

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    1. The plain American cheese slice is classic. Thanks, Christine!

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  23. I've never made a grilled cheese sandwich before but, man. Blake's sandwich sounds like it's everything! As a matter of fact, I'm getting hungry right now... And I've never heard of Sia. I might have to check her out.Congrats on the award!

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    1. You're about the third person who's said they never made a grilled cheese sandwich before. Wow! Sia sang the song Titanium by David Guetta. :)

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  24. I've made many a grilled cheese in my lifetime, usually just white bread with American cheese and butter. I grew up having these with cream of tomato soup and that's usually the way I still have them. It's been a few months since I've last had this.

    Thanks for the award. I usually don't do the awards, but since I'm doing a special post for my birthday this Friday I'll do this one then.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I grew up having grilled cheese with tomato soup, too.

      You're welcome, Arlee, and I'm honored that you'll do this award when you normally don't do them. :D Again, Happy Birthday!

      Delete
  25. Congratulations fellow inspired blogger and I hope you get to Ireland (I want to go back!). And I'll have to try your grilled cheese sandwich.

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    1. Thanks, Sage! I hope you like it, if you do. :)

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  26. Now you need to share Grandma's mashed potato recipe and the sister's spaghetti sauce!

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  27. CONGRATS on your award!

    It's been quite some time since I had a grilled cheese sandwich. Some of my add-ins to grilled cheese sandwiches were: slices of ham, fresh herbs, and chopped up bell peppers. Depended on what I had in the house at the time.

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    1. Thank you, Susanne!

      Fresh herbs and chopped bell peppers sound good!

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  28. Blake's grilled cheese sandwich sounds divine...and a man that cooks is a keeper. :)

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  29. Congrats! Well deserved, really.

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  30. That sounds really yummy. I actually don't make grilled cheese. My husband does, though, and he likes to throw some swiss in addition to the cheddar (american for me, because real cheese gives me migraines). Love your inspirations, too!

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  31. Congratulations on the award, Chrys! Your blog is certainly very inspiring. I hope you make it to Ireland this year (then come back to tell us all about it)! As for the sandwich, I like the idea of spreading basil pesto. I'd spread it on a piece of ham. With the two types of cheese (and maybe throw in an egg omelette), it's going to be a very satisfying meal!

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    1. Thanks, Claudine! And shucks...I should've nominated you! I'm telling you, I had a major brain fart. Oh, an omelette inside grilled cheese? That does sound good!

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  32. Hey Chrys,
    So proud of your award! Well-deserved!

    ReplyDelete