from the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton
The young man--he was probably a college kid--came bouncing into our donut and coffee shop, Deputy Donut, like he was in love with the whole world.
He came right up to the counter where I was pouring someone else's coffee and sat on a stool. "Sat" might not be quite the right word. He wriggled so much that he nearly slipped off. Catching me looking at him, he burst out with, "I have this great idea!"
Uh-oh, I thought, great ideas often seemed to involve roping in people who did not necessarily want to be roped in . . .
"You're closed Thanksgiving, right?" he asked. His huge smile showed off very white teeth and a dimple in one cheek.
I thought I knew where this was heading. "Yes, and Christmas and New Year's Day, too.
"I was thinking that since you'll be closed, I could come in and deep-fry a turkey for me and my roommates."
I knew it. "Deep-fry a turkey, here?" I hoped I managed to look as skeptical as I felt.
"Sure, since you won't be using the place that day."
I shook my head decisively. "Our insurance doesn't cover it."
"I'll be careful."
"I know you will," I said, "but deep-frying turkeys have caused lots of fires. Besides, you might get the turkey crispy on the outside, but inside, it will be a nest of salmonella."
"Even if the oil is hot and you leave it in long enough?"
"Yes, and there's another thing that makes it impossible. Our deep-fryers aren't big enough for a turkey." I stepped aside so he could see Tom lifting a basket of golden donuts out of one of the fryers. "We don't need really deep ones for frying donuts and other small treats."
His shoulders sagged. "Oh. But I told the guys I'd cook the turkey."
"Do you have an oven?"
"Yeah, but I don't know how to cook one in an oven." He probably didn't know how to deep-fry one, either...
"How about a barbecue?"
"Yeah."
"You can cook the turkey on that if it's big enough and has a lid and a temperature gauge. You'll also need a meet thermometer to make sure it's cooked enough. It will be crispy, and tasty with a slightly smoky taste. Look it up online and you'll find the instructions."
"Cool!"
He bounced out as eagerly happy as he'd come in, and I was glad. I wasn't sure that anyone could deflate him for very long, but if anyone could, I didn't want it to be me.
Here are the Deputy Donut Mysteries in order:
1. SURVIVAL OF THE FRITTERS
2. GOODBYE CRULLER WORLD
3. JEALOUSY-FILLED DONUTS (coming September, 2019)
Visit Ginger:
Website
Goodreads
BookBub
As Janet Bolin, Ginger wrote the Threadville Mysteries--Murder and Mayhem in a village of crafty shops.
Would you like a copy of SURVIVAL OF THE FRITTERS or GOODBYE CRULLER WORLD (your choice)! In the comments below, tell us about any (mis-) adventures you've had with frying (doesn't have to be deep frying.) One winner will be chosen by random number.
Posts
I didn't have any problems but my ex husband did. He is yelling fire and I had to jump into action with the baking powder and then put the lid on. Problem solved. I think it was pork chops he was frying by am not positive, it happened many years ago. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of the time we were using a thermometer to measure the temperature of the oil and didn't notice that it went past the flashpoint. There's a reason they call it the flashpoint...
DeleteFrying latkes takes skill and just the right amount of oil and heat. A learning experience but each year another attempt to make it perfect so they are not burnt to a crisp or just golden. I did experience a scary time during the years. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYum, latkes. I have never managed to fry them without smoking up the house.
Delete