Molly MacRae: Meet Gene Mashburn

Molly: Hi, and welcome back to the final installment of “Meet the Characters from LAWN ORDER.” First, though, I’d like to thank Amy Alessio for allowing us to take over her blog this month and also all the guest bloggers who took the time to contribute their wonderful recipes. Amy, you’re a peach and you mystery writers, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. You’re a splendid group.

Now, back to the characters. Returning today are sisters Margaret and Bitsy, their elderly cousin, Leona, Officer George Buckles and joining us is that man of mystery, Gene Mashburn. Gene, it’s nice to see you.

Gene: Thanks.

Molly: You developed a special recipe for LAWN ORDER, something that goes right along with the blog’s theme of Warming Up January with Spicy and Flaming Foods. Can you tell us about it?

Margaret: Spoiler alert!

Molly: Oh, is that true, Gene?

Gene: Yeah, sorry.

Bitsy: It’s not that big a deal, though, is it? I mean, anyone could have come up with . . .

Leona: Bitsy, dear, is that a smudge of bat guano on your skirt?

Bitsy: Is it? Where?

George: How about you give us the recipe for Seoul Food Reubens, instead? It’s safer. No flames involved.

Gene (shrugs): Sure. It’s not much of a recipe, though. It’s just a sandwich.

Leona (patting Gene’s hand): But it is spicy, dear, and not exactly your average sandwich.

Gene: That okay with you?

Molly: Absolutely.

Gene: I don’t really have proportions or measurements, though. I’ll give you the basics and you can improvise, build the sandwiches any way you want.

Margaret: He’s an architect. That’s why he builds sandwiches instead of slapping them together.

Bitsy: Margaret isn’t much of a cook. That’s why she slaps all her recipes together.

Molly: Yes, okay, thank you, ladies. And thank you, Leona and George, and all of you for spending time with us at Vintage Cookbooks. Here’s Gene Mashburn’s Seoul Food Reuben. If you want to know more about his other recipe creation, which shall remain nameless, you’ll have to read LAWN ORDER, available now at bookstores and libraries near you.

Seoul Food Reuben

(1 sandwich)

2 slices pumpernickel rye

Swiss cheese

Corned beef, thinly sliced

Kimchi (Use a variety spiced with red pepper. Best, though, to avoid those seasoned with fermented fish.)

Margarine or butter

While a frying pan or skillet is heating, butter one side of each piece of rye. Layer Swiss, kimchi, corned beef and more Swiss on the unbuttered side of one piece of rye. Top with other piece of rye (butter side up) and place sandwich in heated pan. Grill each side of the sandwich until browned and crispy and cheese is melted. If using hot kimchi, have a large glass of your favorite beverage at hand.