Ava Miles - Country Heaven Cookbook: Family Recipes & Remembrances

Dear Readers and Foodies Alike!

This cookbook is a special companion to the single title novel, COUNTRY HEAVEN, the first in my Dare River series. Readers have enjoyed the scrumptious recipes I wrote for the book so much that I wanted to share them all together with some extra family recipes NOT included in the book. Who wants to page through their book or scroll through their e-reader to find a recipe anyway? Not me. As you may already know, I spent some time working as a chef, so I just love to weave food into my novels. Included here are recipes for my famous spongy cornbread (I have the secret!), gingerbread waffles (oh my heavens), and our chocolate chip pie (yes, you read that right).

The cookbook entries describe my heroines reflections about her grandmother, who taught her to cook. I can relate. My grandma taught me to cook too. See, real life is like fiction! If you havent read the book yet, this is a great chance to see how beautifully food is woven into the story between my sassy heroine, Tory Simmons, and my steamy country singer, Rye Crenshaw. Ive also included an extended excerpt of COUNTRY HEAVEN at the end for your enjoyment.

Reviewers and readers have been going crazy over COUNTRY HEAVEN, which delights my heart. Heres just one review to give you an idea. "If ever there was a contemporary romance that rated a 10 on a scale of 1 to 5 for me, this one is it!" The Romance Reviews

And if you dont know what the story is about, well, heres your birds-eye view:

When famousand infamouscountry singer Rye Crenshaw saunters into the diner where she cooks, Tory Simmons is certain shes got him pegged. Hes a bad boy who indulges himself in all things, women included. But while she couldnt care less about country music or arrogant men, Rye makes her an offer she cant refuse when he asks her to be his private chef on his multi-city concert tour. The job is the answer to all her prayers: it will clear out her debt and finance the fresh start she desperately needs.

Rye is certain his sassy new cook is the last woman whod ever tempt him, but spending time with the wholesome girl next door will do wonders for his damaged public image, whether she likes being forced into the spotlight or not. Her food also happens to be the best hes ever eaten, both comforting and seductive. But spending time with Tory on the road shows him a new side to herone thats as impossible to resist as her food. And when an emergency in his family whisks him home, he does the one thing hes never risked: he lets a woman into his heart

Soon the emotions Rye faked for the tabloids become all too real, but will the country heaven hes found in Torys arms survive in the real world?

I hope you enjoy the cookbook and the extended excerpt! I have THE COUNTRY HEAVEN SONGBOOK available as well since the book features Ryes songs (lyrics only mind you; Im not Carrie Underwood yet). His music is pure poetry and is designed to inspire. I hope these recipes inspire you as well and that you are able to share them with your family and friends. Thanks so much for picking up this cookbook!

Lots of light,

Ava

PS If you like to have fun, enter contests to receive free books, and win gift cards, come connect with me through my newsletter and on Facebook and Twitter. Feel free to post any pictures of you making these recipes on my Facebook wall. My readers love to share recipes and pictures of food like I do. Im also onGoodreadsand love to share giveaways there too, so I hope you friend me to kick off the party.

Sign up for Avas Newsletter

Ava's Website

Ava's Facebook

Ava on Goodreads

Ava's Twitter

To my grandma, Lanone, for teaching me how to cook, for showing me how to infuse love and joy into food, and giving me this piece of her now that shes passed on. I know if theres a kitchen in heaven, youre there making pies, cinnamon rolls, and peanut brittle for everyone, waiting for me.

Table of Contents

Basic Cornbread Recipe

Grandma Simmons had one traditional cornbread recipe she would make either sweet or savory, depending on Grandpas mood. When he had a bad day, shed make maple cornbread to sweeten his disposition. When he was feistyor she wanted him to beshed make Mexican, adding grated cheddar cheese and jalapeos from our garden. The secret is the buttermilk, the frothy elixir that makes it super moist and rise like crazy. You can make more variations than maple or Mexican cornbread. Be bold. Experiment. Find out what makes your man sweeter or spicier. Believe me, deep down, you know.

1 cup cornmeal

tsp. salt

tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup flour

2 tbsp. melted butter

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk (fresh or from powder)

Combine the dry ingredients. Add the butter, beaten eggs, and buttermilk. {For maple: add 1/3 cup maple syrup. For spicy: add 2 Tbs. chopped jalapeos and 1 cup cheddar cheese.} Stir. Pour into a greased pan and bake for 20 minutes at 450 degrees. A cast iron skillet works best.

Tory Simmons Simmering Family Cookbook

Being the cook at Diner Heaven for nearly thirty years, my Grandma Simmons dealt with some pretty mean truck drivers. Theyd come in off the highway with bloodshot eyes and bark at the waitresses. One particular man was so mean, she fixed him a special stack of pancakes, certain theyd improve his disposition. Grandma believed the way to a mans heart was through his stomach, but she didnt think foods power stopped there. She talked about the emotional reactions all people had to food. The mean truck driver wasnt growling anymore after eating her special pancakes, so she added them to the menu with great success.

1 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

cup sugar

tsp. salt

cup cocoa

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

cup butter, melted and cooled

cup chocolate chips

Combine the dry ingredients. Add the eggs, milk, and butter. Stir. Add the chocolate chips. Shape into pancakes on the griddle and cook. Serve with maple syrup or bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Tory Simmons Simmering Family Cookbook

My Grandma Simmons made incredible pies. There are two mediums you have to master to do the same. A flaky crust is essential. Heres a tip if youre making it from scratch: use Butter Crisco. It really does make an incomparably flaky, golden crust. But you cant stop there. You have to make a filling that doesnt crack or weep. Lemon meringue is my favorite of all the pies she used to make. The secret to her meringue was the extra egg whites she used to create those four inches of magic that swirled on top as puffy as clouds. Add fresh lemon zest, and you have a real winnera comforting yet tangy treat for a hot, humid day. Ive never met a person whose mood didnt improve after having a slice of this pie. Its magic is potent.

Pie Crust

1 crust for the bottom (you can buy a prepared crust or make one from scratch). Heres our family recipe.

1 c. flour

tsp. salt

1/3 c. regular or Butter Crisco

c. cold ice water (we put in a 1 c. measuring cup and add ice to it)