Yes, my lovelies, it’s Friday Feast time again. And what a scrumptious guest we have lined up.

But first, the update you hanker for every week, and is still going because my darling Sydney Swans lost again and I’m sulking: Us Heins Weren’t Meant To Play Golf.

Last weekend I had one of those frustrating rounds where I didn’t play that badly but couldn’t score (hmm, could be a nightclub analogy here somewhere – I didn’t discobop that badly but…). Even a ball sacrificed to the water gods on the 9th failed. The round was at least free of crow thievery, so perhaps that worked on some level. Maybe this week my luck will change. It had better for my footy team…

Now, to our most excellent guest.

Come home to the country is Jenn J McLeod’s tag for her books and take you to the country she does. Her debut novel, House for all Seasons, was an instant success, garnering terrific reviews and sales, and leaving readers eagerly awaiting her next. Well, it’s arrived. Simmering Season is now in the shelves and wowing readers.

Take a look…

SIMMERING SEASON

Back in Calingarry Crossing to sell the family pub, Maggie Lindeman has no idea a perfect storm is heading her way until her past and present collide with the unexpected.

Maggie once had a crush on Dan Ireland, now a work-weary police crash investigator, still hell-bent on punishing himself for his misspent youth. Dan has ample reason for not going home to Calingarry Crossing for the school reunion, but one very good reason why he should.

Maggie is dealing with a restless seventeen-year-old son, a father with dementia, a fame-obsessed musician husband, a dwindling bank account and a country pub that just won’t sell.

The last thing she needs is a surprise houseguest for the summer. Fiona Bailey-Blair, daughter of an old friend and spoilt with everything but the truth, whips up a maelstroml of gossip when she blows into town.

This storm season, when a school reunion brings home more than memories, Maggie Lindeman will discover  …  there’s no keeping a lid on some secrets.

Ooh, a book with secrets. Makes me all squirmy just thinking about it. You can own a copy today with just a few clicks. For the paperback, try the good people at Booktopia. There’s also Bookworld, QBD The Bookshop, Boomerang Books, Dymocks, Angus & Robertson, your local independent book shop or chain store. Ebook lovers, try Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, iBooks or your favourite ebook retailer.

Now that you’re all booked up, here’s Jenn!

What’s Jenn J McLeod got Simmering?

I can’t believe it’s almost one year, to the day, that I was here on Friday Feast talking about my two-book deal with Simon & Schuster. A lot has happened in twelve months – both highs and lows. The highest of highs was signing a contract for books 3 and 4 in my Seasons Collection. So, I have been busy.

Today you’ve asked me to feature something foody from book two. Easy! I’ve actually managed to stir three passions into the Simmering Season pot: writing, food and music )yes, I’ve written a song!)

Readers will return to Calingarry Crossing for a school reunion that brings home more than memories for the local publican. Maggie Lindeman has no idea the perfect storm is headed her way or that it will blows the lid off a lifetime of secrets when the past and present collide with the unexpected. Will is still in the café and cheeky as ever and Maggie has a barmaid-cum-cook (Ethne) a British backpacker from the seventies who refused to go back! I love Ethne’s attitude to life, her jokes and her weekend specials. And so …

My recipe today is one of Ethne’s.

This dressing really is so simple and versatile – requiring no cooking, no stove, no simmering! It will also store in a squeezy bottle in the fridge for ages – weeks or more if you treat it well (no cross contamination). Fabulous with chicken, salmon, pork, lamb, fetta, mixed with yoghurt as a yummy dip!

Coriander, honey, mustard dressing

In a whizzer/food processor (Ethne uses a magic bullet) …

One bunch of coriander

A generous glug of olive or vegetable oil

A good dollop of grainy or Dijon mustard

Cracked pepper to taste (also add garlic, lemon juice, honey and a smidge of sweet chilli sauce.)

Whiz it all up together and try it. If you like it – stop! If it’s too thick, add a bit more olive oil to get the pouring/squeezing consistency you want.

Here’s the dressing in action – with mango

(We had such a bumper crop of mangoes this season. Did you know the garbage truck cannot lift more than 70 kilos? I do now, because the garbo refused to empty my bin of possum-munched mangoes until I emptied some out. Needless to say, it has been mango EVERYTHING for months and I really am mangoed out!)

Moroccan chicken with mango and
a coriander, honey, mustard dressed salad

Ingredients/method:

Basically, make your favourite salad in a bowl. (Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion.)

Sprinkle chicken breast with Moroccan spice seasoning (Masterfoods style) and pan cook.

Add dressing to the salad, toss, mound in the centre of the plate.

Once chicken is cooked, slice, present, and add diced mango, toasted almond flakes and drizzle more dressing – to taste.

That’s it!

Too easy, Jenn! Not to mention delicious. Spicy anything and mango is a combination made in tastebud heaven, and that dressing sounds beautiful. Definitely one I’ll be trying.

Now, my tasty little Feasters, we have a giveaway!

What is your favourite season produce? Share and you’ll go into the draw to win a signed copy of Jenn J McLeod’s Simmering Season.

That’s easy-peasy for me. The season may be over now (sob!) but I LIVE for cherries. I’m like a bear readying for hibernation with those babies and can’t stuff enough in my mouth, delicious little balls of sweet fruity goodness that they are. But what about you? Do you salivate over the thought of new season apples? Maybe you can’t wait for the Southern rock lobster season. Perhaps it’s spring lamb you dream about. Share, and you’ll go into the draw.

Giveaway closes midnight AEST, Tuesday 8th April 2014. Australian postal addresses only.

If you’d like to learn more about Jenn and her books, please visit her website. You can also connect via Facebook and as @jennjmcleod  on Twitter.

This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations to Kirrily who has won a copy of Jenn’s wonderful Simmering Season. Some great Easter reading coming up! Thanks to everyone who joined in. I hope you had as much fun as we did.

Want to take more of a peek at Simmering Season? Check out Jenn’s book trailer: