I know that I usually have cookbooks to giveaway, but today I’m doing things a bit different. Well sort of. More Than Words Can Say by Robert Barclay is a great light read at 367 pages and comes complete with a section of deliciously inspired recipes at the end. I think you will enjoy the story from beginning to end and be ready to hit the kitchen to make one of Brooke Bartlett’s recipes from World War II.
About the book: Chelsea Enright never expected to inherit Brooke’s, her grandmother, lakeside cottage deep in the Adirondacks-a serene getaway that had been mysteriously closed up decades ago. This is no simple bequest, however, because when Chelsea finds her grandmother’s WWII diaries, she’s stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected, and they have the power to turn her own life upside down.
About the Author: Robert Barclay, author of If Wishes Were Horses, enjoyed a successful career in business; serving as chairman of his industry-related consulting group. After selling his business and moving from upstate New York to Florida, he was able to devote his full attention to something he had always wanted to do—write a book. When Robert isn’t writing he enjoys weightlifting, Shotokan Karate, and going to the beach to do absolutely nothing.
The WINNER is….
If you’d like to win a copy of this book for yourself, leave a comment below and I’ll choose 1 person on Sunday, January 8th at 9 pm PST. You can also purchase a copy here.
Giveaway open to US Addresses only.
Being a grapefruit fanatic, I had to try Clark Gable’s Grapefruit Cake from the book. I did change it up a bit, due to the need to take it to a New Years Eve party, so instead of cake form, I made it into truffles. The cake is super moist with a slight hint of tart grapefruit. Delish!
Clark Gable’s Grapefruit Cake
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“From the moment I saw Clark Gable roguishly smile at Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind, he became one of my favorite actors. Rumor had it that he had a weakness for grapefruit cake, so when I invented this particular recipe I decided to name it after him. He also joined the air force and fought in the war. Thankfully, he survived the conflict and returned home to make many more such wonderful movies for us.” ~ Brooke Bartlett
Ingredients
butter, for greasing pan
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup freshly squeezed ruby-red grapefruit juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed Florida orange juice
1 banana, mashed
12 ounces sour cream
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 teaspoon grapefruit zest
Glaze Sauce (recipe follows)
Directions
1 Rub a large Bundt pan with butter. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2 Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Then put mixture into a stand mixer, add eggs, and mix until combined. Then add oil; mix until blended. Next add grapefruit and orange juices and banana and mix until smooth and creamy. Last add sour cream and zests; mix until just combined and smooth.
3 Put cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4 When cake is done, turn pan onto serving platter let stand about 15 minutes, then poke small holes in top. I use a straw; be neat about it. Pour glaze sauce on partially cooled cake. Let cool about 1 hour and serve. We like it with a scoop of dreamsicle ice cream on the side and sprig of mint.
Glaze Sauce
Ingredients
1/4 cup grapefruit juice
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon grapefruit zest
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Directions
1 Mix juice and sugar until combined. If it is too thick add more juice a tablespoon at a time. Stir in zests and pecans.
MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY. Copyright ©2012 by Robert Newcomb. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: I was provided one advanced copy of the book to review by William Morrow Publishing with permission to redistribute the recipe for Clark Gable’s Grapefruit cake.