In The Kitchen With Eileen Griffin and Nikka Michaels

by Eileen Griffin & Nikka Michaels

In our experience, people usually fall into two groups: Foodies and Non-Foodies. Non-Foodies tend to eat to live, whereas Foodies completely and whole-heartedly live to eat. We definitely fall into the latter category. Whether it’s trying out a new dish, walking through a farmer’s market and drooling over all the homemade/homegrown food in the stalls, or scrolling through multiple sites for *just* the right recipe, we simply love making (and yes, eating) good food.

When we first met several years ago, we did the typical swapping of favorite authors and favorite books. Soon, though, our conversations devolved into, “So, what are you making for dinner?” and “I’m looking for a good pasta recipe. Do you know of a good one for me to try?” We even sometimes take pictures of what we’re eating/making and send them to each other. We’re weird. We’ve known that for awhile now 😉

Eileen:  We’d been swapping recipes for a month or so when our conversation drifted to Food TV. I’m not a big TV watcher, so I was pretty clueless about most of the newer shows. I loved “Man vs. Food” and a few of the travel shows that involved food, but that was about it. Then Nik told me I had to watch “Chopped”.  I had no clue what it was, but set up my DVR to record an episode. It only took five minutes and I was hooked. The different ingredients, the time limits, the amazing dishes the contestants create – all of it sucked me in and I’ve been an avid watcher ever since.

Nikka:  I laughed the first time Eileen texted me to tell me she’d actually watched an episode of “Chopped”.  She was like a kid in a candy store, going through her On Demand list of them, trying to watch as many as she could. It’s not out of the ordinary for her to tweet me saying, “I might be a tad bit addicted to ‘Chopped’. Thanks Nikka Michaels.”

It wasn’t long after that we decided to collaborate on a novella idea Nik had had that revolved around two young chefs. (Yes folks, we said novella. Once we started, we knew Ethan and Jamie had so much more going on with them than what could be contained in a novella.) And hence, In The Raw and In The Fire were born, and we’re almost halfway through Book Three in the In The Kitchen series, which will be released in 2015. We still love watching cooking shows and will often call or tweet each other with, “Oh my god! Did you see what they did with the eel on this week’s episode?” Or “Weren’t the kids on the ‘Teen Chopped’ episode adorable? They would totally kick our asses in the kitchen. Just sayin’.”

We get inspiration for the dishes we use in our books from everywhere. TV shows (even non-foodie ones because characters on dramas and comedies still have to eat, right?), magazine articles, the web, and our friends. We even have a friend with whom we share special goodies with through the mail, because who doesn’t like to get a goodie package every now and then? The following recipe was one of the ones Jamie cooks when he and Ethan go back to the culinary institute for a charity event. We knew when we saw it that it had to be a part of our book. It’s super easy to make and is a perfect way to enjoy a lazy Sunday with family or friends. Bon appetite!

Almond French Toast

(6 servings)

• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 thick slices French bread
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)

Place almonds in a small saucepan over low heat. Tossing frequently, toast until lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, almond extract and vanilla extract. Soak bread slices in the mixture until saturated. Place slices in a shallow pan. Refrigerate slices approximately 1 hour.

Heat canola oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. One at a time, press one side of soaked bread slices in the almonds to coat. Fry bread slices on both sides until golden brown. Dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving.

Buttered Maple-Bourbon Syrup

• 1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 tablespoon bourbon whiskey ( or 1/2 teaspoon bourbon extract)

Bring maple syrup and softened butter to a boil in medium saucepan.

Stir in 1 tablespoon bourbon whiskey or extract.

Serve warm over French Toast.

~Nikka and Eileen

About In the Raw (In the Kitchen #1)

If you can’t take the heat…

James Lassiter has had a crush on fellow culinary student Ethan Martin for three years, but has never had the guts to make a move. Putting himself out there is hard, especially when under the thumb–and wallet–of his overbearing parents. Now that bad boy chef Ethan–who is always vying with Jamie for best in class–is struggling with the pastry course, Jamie suddenly has a reason to reach out.

Ethan doesn’t mean to be an ass–okay, so mostly he does–but even though he’s secretly hot for Jamie, he sure as hell doesn’t want help with pastry. Ever since his dad walked out, Ethan has been the one to hold things together and he’s done fine on his own. Except that he can’t get his cake to rise.

Jamie could be the answer to what Ethan’s been missing his whole life–someone to depend on. But with the two competing for the same scholarship, things suddenly get too hot to handle. And if Jamie finds the strength to go for what he wants, he isn’t about to settle for what he needs.

Available at: Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About In the Fire (In the Kitchen #2)

Because the way to a man’s heart…

Eight years ago, the world was their oyster. Until, that is, competing chefs Ethan Martin and James Lassiter’s hot and heavy relationship fizzled after Jamie left for an internship in Paris. Even though Jamie’s career has taken off since his return to the States, with his own television show and a lot of fame, his feelings for Ethan have never quite gone away.

Ethan’s culinary career has developed more slowly, but he’s almost saved enough to buy the restaurant where he works and re-open it as his dream spot, Bistro 30. If only he could get the sexy chef who loved him and left him out of his mind.

But when someone starts sabotaging the restaurant and a fire threatens to take away everything Ethan holds dear, his only option is to rely on Jamie for help. Back in close quarters, the two men will have to find a way to work through their past if they hope to save the restaurant and their future.

Available at: Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About Eileen Griffin

Eileen Griffin lives in the southwest, but loves to travel and has spent many summers crossing Europe with nothing but a backpack on her back. She enjoys TexMex, lives for good wine, and has a certain penchant for purple unicorns. She loves reading all genres of books, but her current obsession is writing M/M romance. Her past published works include: Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Nikka Michaels, Dinner For Two, a M/F romance novella, “Claiming Ayden”, a M/M shifter romance that is part of Evenight’s Alpha’s Claim Anthology: M/M Edition, and “Lost and Found”, a short story written for the M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Read in the Closet: Love’s Landscapes Event. Eileen is currently working on a new M/M series set in a Bed and Breakfast with Nikka Michaels, as well as several other projects both individual and co-authored.

You can find out more about Eileen on her Website/Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Author Page & Goodreads.

About Nikka Michaels

Nikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story. She currently has several releases out including, Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Eileen Griffin, Christmas with Caden, a M/F romance novella from Cobblestone Press, “Waking up Wolf”, a M/M shifter romance in Evernight Publishing’s Alpha’s Claim: Manlove Edition anthology, and the MM series which includes, Mile High Service, Room Service and Lip Service from Cobblestone Press’ Blue line. She also has a short story, “His Assistant” in Evernight Publishing’s best-selling Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology.

You can find out more about Nikka on her Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Author Page & Goodreads.