Thursday, August 9, 2012

Details! by DL Larson

This last week I have been doing a last look through of a manuscript I am sending out for publish soon.  Something kept nagging me and I knew some little but significant tidbit was missing, but I couldn't grasp what it was.  Since I was looking at the hardcopy and not the computer file, I was slow to realize the problem. 

I've always kept my hardcopy in three sections, one on top the other in a criss-cross pattern.  Only when I was stacking the papers did it dawn me.  In my mind the book is in three parts, but I had yet to do a Part One, Part Two and Part Three in the computer to signify the division in the book.  That little detail makes a big difference in my story.  It will keep readers on track and not wonder why the big transition without some indication of a shift in the book. 

In my everyday life I was lacking a small detail as well.  My granddaughters and I are going swimming today and they requested chicken wraps for our picnic.  I liked their thinking and thought what a treat that would be come lunchtime.  Except I forgot my kitchen is still under construction.  I have no stove to bake the chicken and I was feeling too lazy to go to the store to purchase cooked chicken.  After the storm passed last night, I grilled the chicken and all was well, or so I hoped.

This morning I had to wait for my girls to arrive because I couldn't remember which they preferred on their wraps: mayo or ranch dressing!  I sure didn't want to go to all the trouble of making a fresh chicken wrap and have the wrong sauce on it!  Little details make all the difference.

So for those looking for an easy and tasty lunch, below is my simple recipe for chicken wraps:

2 cooked/grilled chicken breasts, season as desired, shredded
one avocado
bacon, cooked, crumbled or sliced into small pieces
spinach or your favorite lettuce, (paper towel to dry)
onion (opt) my girls said NO to that!
ranch dressing or another dressing of your choice
black olives
grape-size tomatoes
tortilla shells (I prefer the refrigerated ones)
shredded cheese (I prefer a blend of cheddar and jack)


Assemble:
spread dressing over tortilla
layer ingredients starting with cheese and spinach
add the other ingredients: the trick is not to fill it too full.

Fold the ends in and roll, secure the edge with a dab of dressing or stab with a toothpick.
Cut in half about 3/4 way through
store in a water/air tight container and refrigerate until time to eat
This usually makes 4-6 wraps, depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
Serve with more sauce if desired.

Enjoy!

Don't forget the napkins!

Til next time ~

DL Larson

4 comments:

Morgan Mandel said...

Oh, yes, those pesky details can nab you when you least expect them. And you can bet, the readers will find anything that's missing!

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Debra St. John said...

Mmmn, I love chicken wraps. We do them with breaded chicken patties cut into strips.

Good luck with the mss you're sending...glad you remembered those little details!

Deb Larson said...

Glad you stopped by. Chicken patties would work great too, Debra, good idea!
DL Larson

Margot Justes said...

Deb,
Good luck with the publication.
Margot