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Happy New Year – Top 8 of ’08

Top 8 of ’08

I had some difficulty coming up with a good list, largely because I like all kinds of things (dachshunds, murder mysteries, Audi SL6′s, hickory-smoked barbecue…), but not necessarily eight of any of them. On the other hand, I do like to eat. And cook.

So here’s a list of my favorite eight recipes. As time allows over the next couple of weeks, I’ll actually post said recipes, but for now—I spent eight hours today driving to and from Indio, CA, to pick up my new dachshund puppy (name still up for grabs, though it might be Homer), and am consequently about to head for bed.

ENCHILADAS

MACHACA

CURRY

CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOMS IN ORANGE SAUCE

DRUNK CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

BROWNIES

HOLIDAY FUDGE

GUACAMOLE WITH HOME-MADE CHIPS

Happy New Year!

–Diana

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43 Responses »

  1. Happy New Year Diana, sounds like you are starting it off right with a new puppy in your life!
    I made your enchiladas during the holidays and they were a big hit with my family, I think I may have a new tradition.
    LisaW

  2. I would love to see a photo of the new puppy – I just picked up my dachsund, Dobby, from the “dog spa” (aka: kennel) where he spent the last week while we went on vacation. He is very happy to be home and is making sure no one moved his toys.

  3. Happy New Year

  4. A friend of mine has a dauchsund named Eli Manning, she calls him by his full name not just Eli. My red dauchsund is appropriately named Ruby and she’s the red headed baby girl I’ve always wanted. I know you’ll enjoy your new edition, dauchsunds are one of the greatest breeds ever. Little bodies, big huge personalities. If my friend could name her dog Eli Manning, I think Von Namtzen would be fine, just harder to say. Homer rolls off the tongue a bit easier though. Can’t wait for the recipes. Tried the fruit stuffed turkey this Christmas and it did turn out delicious. Thanks!

  5. Yummm…Machaca! I ate plenty of that growing up. I am Mexican-American. My parents are from Muzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico which prides itself in its Machaca. Can’t wait for the recipe.

  6. I’m intreigued by the ‘drunk chicken’! Looking forward to seeing what’s in it.

    Have you ever thought of doing an Outlander cookbook? :)

  7. Dear Ms. Gabaldon,

    I’m a new fan of your Outlander series. I’m currently reading the second book, Dragonfly in Amber, and I am very much in love with Jamie Fraser!! My name is Shara by the way and I’m 19. My holidays were mainly spent devouring your books, and I’m sorry school has started again because I have less time to read for pleasure. But I will read all 6 novels, including An Echo in the Bone and probably even the graphic novel (I admit it’s an addiction). I have been recommending your works to other people (including my mom) because they don’t know what they’re missing!! Please keep writing, and Happy New Year.

    Shara

  8. Congrats on the new baby! My son has a dog whose Mom was a Dachshund, and the only thing that resembles her are his blue eyes, which look ODD since Daddy was a Hairless Chinese Crested!

    My own baby is a Tiny poodle named Girnigoe, so I tend to like the hard-to-pronounce names that make people invariably say, “Huh?” when you tell them her name.

    Good luck in the new year!

    :) Terri

  9. Dear Shara–

    Thank you! [smile] Don’t worry–I’ll keep writing!

  10. Dear Terri–

    You had–or saw–a blue-eyed dachshund? [boggling]

  11. LOL, yes, have you never seen one with blue eyes? I could be wrong, but I believe that most are dapple (kind of spotted) and they are purebred. My son’s dog has the blue eyes from his mom who was a dapple dachshund.

    :) Terri

  12. Happy New Year, Diana and family!

    Two more books in the series and it would be my top 8 of 08. :) So, it’s top 6 of 08 because that’s when I discovered them.

    Enjoy your puppy!

  13. Dear Diana,

    I am always looking for yummy treats to take to the ‘non-cooking’ folks around me at work and fudge is always a favourite. I looked up your holiday recipe on your site but have one question. What size pans do you use to cool the fudge in? Looks like a big batch so I was wondering if you would need a couple of 9X13 or 8X8 pans?

    Thanks!
    Jewell

    PS … I have a similar fudge recipe that calls for chips and this holiday season I used Hersey Mint Chocolate Chips – talk about a crowd pleaser! If you like mint that is!

  14. Dachsunds with blue eyes are usually double dapples and usually have genetic problems with their hearing and/or other issues. It isn’t really considered a good breeding standard according to our veterinarian. My neighbor had a beautiful double dapple that she rescued, she was white and tan and had bright blue eyes and was deaf, the only problem was that the neighbor let her breed with her tan dachsund and all the babies died within a few days from birth defects- it was very sad. Her vet told her she should have never let her breed.

  15. happy new year, diana!

    we had a doxie once, named gator, yes he chewed everything =)

    best of luck with the new addition and i think the name homer is cute for a doxie =)

  16. Hi Diana
    there is a question that i always do me and to which only you can answer:what end has made the letter that Frank Randall wrote to the reverend Wakefield in which he explained the grave of Jamie to the St. Kilda? will Roger ever read the letter to Claire?
    Excuse my poor english!!
    Mariella

  17. Yes, it’s true, dachshunds can have blue eyes. I’ve got a silver dapple named Byron, he has some blue specks in one of his irises. The eyes sometimes end up dappled like the rest of them.
    This is my first post ever here, and I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your books Diana (I know everyone says that [g]). I’ve read them so many times that I usually don’t even read them from beginning to end anymore. I just pick one up, open it at random, and start there. They’re like old friends… I just keep coming back to them. Thanks again.

  18. Happy Birthday Diana, have a wonderful day.
    Blessings
    Janelle :)

  19. Sounds wonderful – can’t wait for the recipes! And happy New Year and happy birthday to you! :)

  20. I have a rather food-oriented literary question for you: How would you describe the flavor of curry to a person who has never tasted it before? I’m not a big curry fan myself, but I know that a great majority of the world eats it and although I have tried it several times, I’m at a loss as to how to describe the flavor. Thanks!

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