It's Better to Look Good Than to Taste Good (for the photos)

Happy Valentine's Day

Feb 14, 2024

Today is my Valentine’s Day birthday - yup, you read that right. I’m mumbling... years old today. It’s also the first anniversary of Research for Writers and Other Curious People. I’m sending my heartfelt love and gratitude to you for reading, sharing, and subscribing.

The best present you can give me today is to share and subscribe.

I began this Substack with the goal of writing first for myself. I wanted to capture and record my discoveries and how they fueled my writing and interests. I have interviewed fellow authors, interesting professionals, and poked my nose figuratively and literally around the world. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with other writers to help them launch their Substacks.

Raising My Glass in Gratitude

(scroll for more drinks)

Last year I landed a book deal. My debut novel The Pelican Tide (now available for pre-order hint, hint) arrives June 11.

The novel is about an up and coming Cajun Chef, Josie Babineaux living in Grand Isle, Louisiana. It’s April 2010, the start of an event-filled tourist season on her island. Josie is attempting to put her life back together after her husband Brian has gambled away the family saving. She’s feeling this summer is the break her restaurant needs. That is until the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explodes and her community becomes ground zero for the spill, threatening everything including Gumbo a brown pelican who her family rescued as a fledging.

This novel is about the 87 days oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also about a family and food. Please visit my relaunched author website www.sharonwishnow.com (created by the website designer of my dreams), and check out the recipes in my bookclub section. You can also find the recipes in the back of my novel, but since your pre-order hasn’t arrived yet…

One of the reoccurring food rifts is the Amaretto Sunrise. This is the favorite drink of the town’s mayor. Chef Josie has created a tea cake (a type of cookie) using orange and almond flavors. While this is a beautiful drink, I must admit it’s cloyingly sweet. But it’s super attractive. The recipe is above and below are links to other sunrise drinks that may be more suitable to your tastes. They are to mine.

Before you pull out a shaker, a shoutout to Melanie Read owner of Ivy and Oak Photography. When my advance reader copy books arrived, I called and asked if she could take some food porn pictures using them. Her response was an immediate list of available dates. She arrived with a beach blanket concept and a treasure trove of props. We spent a fun and at times silly afternoon playing with the drinks shown above as well as other goodies from the book: chocolate chili chip brownies, spicy chocolate bark, and tea cakes. Find the recipes on my website. You’re on to something when the photographer says, you know what this needs? Wine. For the photo shoot. We drank it after. Check out Ivy and Oak’s website.

Sunrise Drinks

This first video is longish but explains the density of drinks and layers.

Below is a quickie tequila sunrise and what we actually made for the photo shoot.

Other Options

Hawaiian Sunrise

Vodka Sunrise

Sunrise Mocktail

Because sometimes you want to be pretty but not buzzy.

You Asked, I Deliver

Back in January, I posted about my trip to Spain and my strange new obsession with Christopher Columbus. I also mentioned how sangria from my favorite restaurant in New York City was my gateway to this beautiful country. I’ve had several requests for the sangria recipe.

Sangria is my Elixir of Life

Sharon Wishnow

January 18, 2024

Read full story

Victoria’s Secret Sangria Recipe

I wish I could provide measurements but Victoria is a mixology wizard and just makes it. But like all good sangria adjust to your taste.

Red wine - a Spanish Tempranillo or Rose of Tempranillo is yummy.
Brandy. Spanish brandy - see below
Orange Liquor - our go-to is Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
Triple Sec (or just more orange liquor)
Orange Soda (or your preferred citrus soda for bubbles)
Sugar (we make a simple sugar 1 cup water to 1 cup sugar)
Finely diced fruit, apples, pears, oranges.
Pour over ice.
Just buy some brandy?? That’s like just buy some cheddar cheese. Where does one start? This is for a mixed drink so dropping some serious change seems wasteful. Despana also has wine and liquor store next to the restaurant/grocery and we were told to use this orange flavored brandy in the sangria. And as you can see from the bottle, we’ve used it more than once.
More Fun with Oranges
When I make the tea cakes from my book, I decorate them with candied orange slices. The best part of this recipe is after you candy the orange peels, you’re left with orange-vanilla simple syrup. Add some sparkling water for a delicious soda or mix into a margarita or sangria.