The Elusive Elixir & A Giveaway

USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian is here to share recipes for two elixirs to accompany her new Accidental Alchemist mystery, The Elusive Elixir, coming from Midnight Ink January 8, 2017. Read on for two recipes, plus a chance to win a set of 7 book-themed recipe cards. 

In alchemy, the Elixir of Life is the substance that grants immortality. Centuries ago, the men who laid the foundation for modern chemistry were interested in transforming lead into gold, and some believed they could perform another transformation: turning their mortal bodies into immortal ones. That transformation is the subject of my latest mystery, The Elusive Elixir. 

I wrote the first Accidental Alchemist novel while I was going through chemotherapy for an aggressive cancer discovered shortly after my 36th birthday. What was I to do with such a shocking diagnosis that left me with food restrictions? Two things were high on my list of priorities: Throwing myself into writing, and learning how to cook from scratch. I wasn’t about to give up my dream of getting published, or give up eating and drinking delicious foods. 

The result? Cancer taught me how to write with my heart and showed me that I love experimenting with recipes. As you can imagine, ideas about the Elixir of Life were swirling around my mind at the time, and made their way into both my writing and my cooking. 

THE RECIPES

My mantra for recipes is “healthy and delicious.” So today I’m sharing two takes on an elixir that’s wonderful for a wintery day, or for a hangover, or if you feel like you’re coming down with a cold. The two recipes are identical except for one substitution (milk vs. lemon base) and the preparation methods. 

Creamy Turmeric Elixir
• 1 cup almond milk, or other milk of choice
• ¼ tsp ground turmeric (or 1 tsp minced turmeric root)
• ¼ tsp ground ginger (or 1 tsp minced ginger root)
• pinch of cayenne, or to taste 
• 1 tsp honey, or to taste 

Warm all the ingredients in a saucepan on the stove. 

Lemony Turmeric Elixir
• 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon
• ¼ tsp ground turmeric (or 1 tsp minced turmeric root)
• ¼ tsp ground ginger (or 1 tsp minced ginger root)
• pinch of cayenne, or to taste 
• 1 tsp honey, or to taste 

No pan is required. Put the ingredients in a mug and pour in a cup of hot water. 

THE BOOKS

In the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, Zoe Faust is an herbalist and alchemist who accidentally discovered the Elixir of Life three centuries ago. She’s tired of running from her past and buys a crumbling house in Portland, Oregon. But her presence hasn’t escaped notice. She’s sought out by Dorian Robert-Houdin, a three-and-a-half-foot tall gargoyle chef who fancies himself a modern-day Poirot—and he’s always getting into trouble. Dorian was once stone before he was accidentally brought to life through alchemy, but now he’s slowly turning back to stone. 

In The Elusive Elixir, it’s Zoe and Dorian’s last chance at finding the Elixir for Dorian, or he’ll remain awake but trapped in stone forever. From Portland to Paris, Zoe follows clues to decipher an ancient alchemy book, but is thrown off course by a murder from her past. 

The books include plenty of cooking as French chef Dorian learns how to cook gourmet meals without bacon or butter (yes, Dorian’s journey was similar to mine), and recipes are included in the back of each book. 

Gigi Pandian writes the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, and locked-room mystery short stories. Learn more about Gigi and her books at gigipandian.com, connect with her on Facebook and Twitter , and keep up with the latest by signing up for her email newsletter.

Want more recipes from Gigi? Leave a comment below, and one lucky winner will receive a set of 7 book-themed recipe cards with recipes inspired by each of Gigi’s books.