Camino Ghosts – READ EAT And DRINK

Read, Eat and Drink

Featuring
Camino Ghosts by John Grisham

CHAPTER 1 – READ

Camino Ghost is the third John Grisham book set on fictitious Camino Island, Florida. Grisham is one of the best-selling authors of our time, with forty-nine consecutive best-sellers. Several of his novels have also been adapted for movies.    

Mercer Mann is an uninspired college professor with one successful book under her belt. She is a part-time resident of Camino Island and struggles to find her next inspiration while getting ready to marry her boyfriend, Thomas. Her former lover and the owner of Bay Books, Bruce Cable, offers her an unbelievable tale of a resident who lived on the infamous Dark Isle off the coast.

Lovely Jackson grew up on the small barrier island settled by freed slaves three hundred years ago. She was forced to leave as a teenager, and the island has been empty ever since. Now elderly, Lovely continues to claim ownership when a greedy resort developer sets its sights on the property. What the developer does not know is that the island is possibly cursed, and the residents and a local non-profit lawyer back Lovely.

In addition to being the usual Grisham well-written novel, the backstory is dark and sometimes tough to read. The chapters on the horrific treatment of those taken from their homelands and forced into slavery are graphic but a good reminder of an awful time in our country’s history. I also have to admit to a few nightmares featuring rattlesnakes and wolves.

I’m a fan of the first two Camino Island books and the third one did not disappoint. The series differs from Grisham’s legal thrillers (which I also love), and each is easy to devour in a few days. Camino Ghost has a strong moral message and keeps you wanting more of  Mercer, Bruce, and all the quirky Island residents. This book stands on its own, but if you haven’t read the previous two books, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning.          

CHAPTER 2 – EAT

Tomato Pie (Printable recipe)

Some books make finding a dish to try challenging, but not Camino Ghosts. There are great choices like grilled flounder, shrimp remoulade, and grilled grouper, but I like to try new foods in READ, and I found just the thing — tomato Pie.

I’d never even heard of such a thing, but after a quick Google search, I learned this is a classic Southern summer dish. It has layers of tomatoes, basil, green onions, and bacon in a pie crust. If you want it vegetarian, skip the bacon.

The key to the dish is ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. It is also important not to burn the pie crust. We’re pairing it with an arugula salad and ice-cold Chablis.

Let’s go!!!!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (9-inch) deep dish pie crust
  • 4 large tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/4 pound bacon – cooked and chopped
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • Seasoned bread crumbs
  • Arugula salad

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Pour yourself a generous glass of Chablis.
  • In alternating layers, fill the pie crust with tomatoes, bacon, green onions, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper.
  • Spread the cheese over the top of the pie. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 25 more minutes. Watch to make sure the crust is not burning.
  • Serve pie warm with arugula salad and balsamic dressing.
  • Enjoy!!

Tips:

  • Add some rotisserie chicken or cooked ground beef if you want some protein in the meal.
  • I could not find a ready-made pie crust, so I purchased a rolled pie crust and filled a square tin. This worked fine. 
  • You can mix the cheese with mayonnaise and then spread it over the top, but I personally find that gross.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think and send a pic to ChrisKneerAuthor.com. Once a month I will have a drawing for a great prize (well… maybe not great, but a prize 😊). 

CHAPTER 3 – DRINK

Chablis

John Grisham’s books almost always feature food and drinks inspired by the setting, which makes me think he might be a foodie. Camino Ghosts is set on the northeast coast of Florida, which is known for excellent Southern food. There were many options for Drinks, but ice-cold Chablis is mentioned as early and often. It also pairs well with our Tomato Pie.

Chablis is a Chardonnay-producing wine region in Burgundy, France. However, wine produced there has a different taste than most Chardonnays. It has higher acidity and is described as crisp and refreshing, with light-bodied flavors of citrus and pear.      

Chablis is great for sipping with seafood, salads, and soft cheeses or just sitting on the porch. It should be chilled between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit and served in a glass with a tall and slim design. Fill it about one-third full.

Keep calm and pour on!!