Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Recipes 'n Reads: with Author Helen Henderson's Recipe for Lokse and her Fantasy Book Fire and Redemption #recipesandreads

 

Recipes 'n Reads Series
Guest author Helen Henderson

I am thrilled to have my friend and multi-genre author, Helen Henderson, return to Focused on Story blog to share her recipe and book on the Recipes 'n Reads series, scheduled every third Wednesday of the month. 

Helen and I have much in common. Helen is a Gemini, she wrote feature articles for magazines, and she is a multi-genre author. However, unlike me, she builds fantasy worlds and deals with dragons.

Welcome back, Helen!

Thank you for sharing the recipe, Lokshe, a Slovak dish, given to you by your Old World grandmother.  This one sounds like a winner. I love potatoes, so we must have that in common too! 


Lokshe--"an indispensable part of the Slovak kitchen"

Lokse (lokše, lokša singular) has been called an indispensable part of the Slovak kitchen. They are thin, rolled pancakes made out of potato dough that are baked on a hot plate or an ungreased frying pan. We originally learned how to make them on a cast-iron coal-fired stove.

Lokse were a special treat we only had during the summer vacations at my grandparent's mountain home or during her stays with us during the snowy, cold, winter months when her home was winterized and closed. The reason we only had them on these occasions was not because we didn't have the recipe. Grammy shared the recipe.

She shared the ingredients, including a dash, pinch, and handful, as she did for making pierogi, halupka (filled cabbage), homemade noodles, and my favorite kolatchki. She also attempted to teach us the technique of making  lokse, to be able to get it into the pan without tearing, and the spinning maneuver so that it didn't stick. My Old World grandmother could create the dough, roll it out to the right thickness (that of a tortilla) without using so much flour it got too soft, place the pancake into the frying pan without it falling to pieces, and spin and flip the pancakes using her fingers. We always had to use a spatula and fork.

The decision to share lokse is partly because I recently tried making them for the first time in years. No, I won't tell how they came out other than to say they barely made it from the pan to the plate.


RECIPE:  Without further distraction, the modernized recipe for lokse.

Boil six medium size potatoes until soft.

·       Coarsely mash and let cool.

·       Mix in 2 eggs and 1/2 cup flour. Add additional flour as needed until a soft dough forms.

·       Roll out by 1/4 cup balls on a floured board until some 1 or 2 millimeters thick.

·       Sprinkle a pinch of salt in the bottom of an iron flying pan, and place the pancake in the pan. Prick with a fork.

·       Brown on one side, spinning occasionally.

·       Flip over and brown on other side.

·       When done, rub with a stick of butter on both sides.

·       Fold into a roll and eat. (For those more elegant circumstances, you can cut the roll into inch-long sections and eat with a fork.)

·       An Additional Note: To avoid a rush, they can be wrapped in foil and kept warm in a toaster oven. That is if you can stop them from disappearing as soon as they come out of the frying pan.

* * * *

Fire and Redemption (Book 2 of the Tear Stone Collectors)
by Helen Henderson
Fantasy

BACK OF THE BOOK--Fire and Redemption (Book 2 of the Tear Stone Collectors)

Expelled from the dragon isle, Medraut is forced to shed his wings and take on human form to live amongst the people of the mainland. To have the future she desires, Brial must survive the fever, raiders, and most of all, Medraut’s dragon ability to control minds. Karst, son of the head slayer, disowned and sent on an impossible quest to kill a dragon, made himself a home in the trading wagons of Clan Vreis. His newfound happiness is threatened when the caravan stops to help an injured man lying in the caravan’s path.

Three men and a dragon desire the same woman. One wants her for power, one for her beauty, and one for love. The dragon just wants her.

Buy Links:

Paperback and ebook: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

More Sites

 

ABOUT HELEN HENDERSON:

A former feature-story writer and correspondent, Henderson has also written fiction as long as she could remember. Her heritage reflects the contrasts of her Gemini sign. This dichotomy shows in her writing which crosses genres from historical adventures and westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of 

Author Helen Henderson
fantasy and fantasy romance, she is the author of the Dragshi Chronicles, the Windmaster Novels and the Tear Stone Collectors. Her stand-alone works include the dark fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone and the military tribute collection, Hearth and Sand.

In her books, she invites readers to join her on travels through the stars, or among fantasy worlds of the imagination.

Find her on online at: Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Goodreads. Excerpts of her work, writing tips, and information on new releases can be found at https://helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com

She loves hearing from readers. Write her at helenhenderson.author@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for being my guest, Helen!!

🌻🌻🌻🌻

BIG NEWS from JQ Rose--Just in time for Mother's Day, my journal for moms, Mom's Memories and Reflections on Motherhood is now on Amazon. !! The premium hardcover book is definitely a project I loved to create for mom and of course grandma too. Read the book blurb below to find out more.

Mom's Memories and Reflections on Motherhood
Book 3 in the Books for Life Storytellers Series
by JQ Rose


BACK OF THE BOOK:

Mom’s Memories and Reflections on Motherhood: A Guided Journal is adorned with bright yellow sunflowers and created with pages to chronicle mom's unique journey, capturing the laughter, tears, and growth that define motherhood.

Each page is thoughtfully designed with prompts that inspire reflection on daily joys and challenges, accompanied by insightful quotations that resonate within a mother's heart.

Use the journal pages :

  • to sketch scenes, pets, or persons who are important in your life,
  • scribble notes and memories you want to be reminded to write,
  • ask questions,
  • recall snippets of conversations,
  • and reflect on new understandings revealed during the writing.

Whether it's a personal purchase or a heartfelt gift for mom on any occasion, this journal promises to be a timeless heirloom, safeguarding memories and reflections for generations to cherish. So grab a pen and dive into this keepsake that promises to be as cherished as that macaroni necklace you can't bring yourself to throw away.

Three sunflowers in a bunch. I love this cheery flower.

Now is the time to share the memories that transform an ordinary life into an extraordinary life.

Order Mom’s Memories and Reflections on Motherhood: A Guided Journal for yourself or as a gift to someone you love.

Available at Amazon

Click here to order in time for Mother's Day gift giving.

🌻🌻🌻🌻

Thank you for stopping by. Will you try to make this recipe? Sounds sooooo good. Please leave a comment below.

Click here to link to my new Substack page. It's FREE. My Substack title, Picking Noses, is all about keeping your Easter lily looking fresh. Click the link to find out, especially if you have an Easter lily at your house or office.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

🌻🌻🌻🌻










 



9 comments:

Helen Henderson said...

Thanks for having me. Congrats on the new release.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for sharing your grandma's recipe with us, Helen. And congrats on your book.

And congrats on your new release, J.Q!

J.Q. Rose said...

You're welcome
Always love hosting you!!

J.Q. Rose said...

Thanks, Natalie.

Alex Paul said...

"Recipes 'n Reads: Author Helen Henderson's Lokse recipe is a delightful addition to her fantasy book Fire and Redemption. Perfect for a cozy evening. Also, for Construction Industry Staffing, it's a great team-building activity to try together!"






Berlin ages said...

I recently discovered the Recipes 'n Reads blog, and it's quickly become my go-to for new meal ideas and book recommendations. Their content is as comfortable and reliable as my gildan g420 performance t-shirt
perfect for any occasion

Emma John said...

What a delightful read! Helen Henderson's recipe for Lokse sounds delicious, and the fantasy book "Fire and Redemption" is now on my reading list. For anyone looking to upgrade their tech setup while enjoying some great reads, check out the Network Cards category on Techify Nation for reliable and high-performance options.

SARAH JONAS said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SARAH JONAS said...

Helen Henderson's "Recipes 'n Reads" blog beautifully blends her love for storytelling with a delicious recipe for Lokse. Her fantasy book, Fire and Redemption, provides an exciting escape while the Lokse adds a taste of tradition. It’s like finding the perfect balance, much like picking out the right Boys Swimwear for a day of fun at the beach – practical, fun, and fitting for every occasion! A must-read and must-try!

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