Hot Finger Foods

Who wouldn't want to go to a party and see this arrangement? Um, me, anyone vegetarian, anyone w/o Pepto Bismol at home...

This is still more from the Cocktail Time Cookbook. However! For the first time in ages, my husband and I got to go antiquing for a few hours over the weekend. I bought a few gems chock filled with prune holiday recipes. I'm actually planning on giving library talks on vintage cookbooks and cookies this holiday season. If you live in the Chicagoland area, you've been warned.

So here's the electric griddle willed with odd meats. How about these for your next party?

Sugar 'N' Spice Cubes

1 can luncheon meat. (Yep, a can.)

2 Tablespoons sugar

Preheat griddle to 300 F

Trim off round ends of meat. Cut into 18 1-inch squares. Roll in sugar.

Place on ungreased griddle; grill, turning frequently, until browned all over - about 8 minutes.

Wow.

Chicken Livers With Bacon

1 lb. chicken livers

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 lb. bacon

Wash livers; dry on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Wrap half a bacon slice around each chicken liver. Thread 2 or 3 livers on each of 6 wooden skewers. Arrange on rack in portable electric broiler (everyone has these, right?). Broil, 5-6 inches from heat, 6-8 minutes. Turn, broil 7 minutes longer.

These will not be featured in my proposed talks, don't worry.

I got a big disappointment in a writing contest today. Not only did I not final, I came in dead last (18 folks, and only a couple points difference, but still). Now I knew the piece needed work, and I wanted the feedback, which is one reason I entered the contest. However, one judge said more backstory and another said cut it all. One said too edgy for YA and the other said not dark enough. There were definitely helpful comments in there too, but I really want to read the ones that finaled. There are definitely times when I feel I may just stick with my safe librarian writing and speaking where I know I garner respect. Results like this make me feel stupid for even trying to write fiction, though many very talented writing friends warned me that nothing good comes out of contests. Clearly I need to watch Susan Boyle sing some more.

Here's to a better week ahead.