Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Sleuth
(A Waterwheel Cafe Mystery)
by Victoria Tait
About Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim
Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Sleuth (A Waterwheel Cafe Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting - Cotswold, England
Kanga Press (January 5, 2024)
Number of Pages c. 240
Digital ASIN : B0C4V4CCGT
A missing child. A half-baked ransom demand. Can a community cop sift through clues and rescue the tot before teatime?
Sergeant Keya Varma’s culinary dreams come true as she joyfully opens her own café. And attending her sister’s wedding is the cherry on the cake. But her excitement sinks like a souffle when a customer’s little boy disappears.
Shaken as well as stirred into action, the part-time police officer joins the search, but she’s shattered when even a ransom payment doesn’t bring the rug rat back home.
For Keya, justice is served with a side of scones, but can she save the child before the clotted cream turns sour?
Indulge in the Waterwheel Café cozy mystery series, where Keya Varma mixes crime with coffee and crêpes. If you crave appetising characters, a dash of humour, and a dollop of English charm, you’ll devour Victoria Tait's delicious tale.
Bake your way into intrigue with Vanilla Chai and a Vanishing Victim today!
About Victoria Tait
Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England. After following her military husband around the world, she drew on her life’s experiences, and a love of Agatha Christie, Father Brown, and Murder She Wrote, to write British based cozy mysteries.
Her determined female sleuths are joined by colourful and quirky teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and realistic. As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world where you’ll experience surprises, humour and sometimes, a tug on your heartstrings.
Do you like tea, mysteries, and books? Then why not join Victoria's TeaCozy Club for regular news and updates, and download the free prequel to the Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries series as a gift by visiting VictoriaTait.com
Who doesn’t like tea, cake, and a slice of murder!
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Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim - Recipe Post
In my book Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim, the heroine, Sergeant Keya Varma, has recently opened her Waterwheel Café.
She serves light lunches, cakes, and afternoon teas. Her sandwiches are a key part of her menu, and as she is a vegetarian, she tries to offer a wide range with weekly specials.
Here are 3 of her sandwich fillings.
Chicken with mustard, tarragon, slices of radish and crunch iceberg lettuce
Ingredients
2 cups of cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1/3 cup of mayonnaise
2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon of whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Bread or rolls of your choice
Thin slices of radish and shredded iceberg lettuce for servicing
Method
In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded or diced chicken with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and chopped tarragon.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly until the chicken is well coated with the sauce.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate the chicken mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
Once chilled, you can assemble your sandwiches. Spread the chicken mixture onto slices of bread or inside rolls, and add radish slices and shredded iceberg lettuce.
Smoked Mackerel or Trout Pate with Lemon-Horseradish Sauce
Ingredients:
2 smoked mackerel or trout fillets
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup of cream cheese, softened (more if needed to create a stiff, spreadable mixture)
1 tsp of horseradish (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt (optional for added creaminess)
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Bread or rolls of your choice
Thin slices of cucumber and arugala for servicing
Instructions:
1. Remove the skin from the fish, and flake it into small pieces with a fork, removing any bones.
2. In a small bowl, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, cream cheese, horseradish, and chopped fresh dill.
3. Mix the flaked smoked mackerel or trout into the sauce.
4. Season with salt and pepper and add extra horseradish if required. The mixture should be quite stiff and spreadable, but if too stiff, add some Creme Fraiche or Greek yoghurt.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
6. Before serving, check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
7. Assemble your sandwiches. Spread the pate onto slices of bread or inside rolls, and add cucumber slices and arugula.
Mock Crab
This vegetarian recipe dates back to rationing during and after World War II.
Ingredients:
2 eggs
3 good sized tomatoes (about ½ pound)
2 oz (55 gm) butter
1 small onion chopped or grated
1 oz (28 gm) grated cheese
2 tablespoons of good white breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Splash of Milk
Crunchy iceberg lettuce for serving
Bread or rolls of your choice
Instructions:
1. Skin the tomatoes and stew in the butter with the onions.
2. When this mixture is cooked, add the grated cheese.
3. Beat the eggs with a little milk. Add the breadcrumbs and season.
4. Stir all the ingredients in the pan until it thickens.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
6. Before serving, check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
7. Assemble your sandwiches by spreading the mixtures onto slices of bread or inside rolls, and chapped iceberg lettuce.
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