Thursday, September 03, 2009

Guest Author: Blythe Gifford!

Today, my friend and fellow author Blythe Gifford is stopping by! She's got a FABULOUS new release out called IN THE MASTER'S BED. That is one HOT cover, if you ask me! She's got a great, simple recipe to include (and since there's a lot of fresh basil in my kitchen, I'll be trying this!), and even better, has a book for giveaway!

I’m Blythe Gifford and I want to thank Shirley for having me here today! I’m celebrating the release of IN THE MASTER’S BED, from Harlequin Historical. It’s a medieval romance featuring a heroine born on the wrong side of the royal blanket, the sister from my previous release THE HARLOT’S DAUGHTER. She runs away from home, disguised as a man, to study at the university, where women are forbidden. There, she meets a man who, for the first time, makes her want to be a woman. But what will happen when he discovers her secret and she’s discovered IN THE MASTER’S BED?

Let me say at the outset I will not be sharing a medieval recipe with you. The only recipe I researched for this book was ale. Turned out they brewed it with oats, something I’m not sure Anheuser Busch hasn’t tried yet.

But the truth is, I’m not much of a cook. I am in awe of Shirley and all of you who whip up tasty, creative meals night after night. Some famous author (Salinger? Updike?) said a writer should eat the same thing every day. As a result of my limited culinary range, I follow that advice pretty closely, though I haven’t found it to be any kind of secret to success.

My dinner virtually always includes a big salad. French kitchens may celebrate the sous (soup) chef, but I’m a premier salad chef, and the crowning glory of my dish is home made vinaigrette. It’s so easy and tastes SO much better to me than store bought. If you have an herb garden, or can buy fresh basil at the store, it works year round. As to how much basil to throw in, you’ll develop your own style. I like to use enough so it’s a little creamy and thick.


Blythe’s Basil Vinaigrette
Yield: ¾ cup (6-8 side salads)
Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons tarragon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 large clove garlic
Handful basil leaves (five to ten or more - experiment)
Salt, pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a mini-blender jar and blend on highest setting. Flavor mellows, so make it the day before if you can.

Thanks again to Shirley for the chance to drop by and say hello to all you talented chefs. Visit my website at http://www.blythegifford.com/ to learn more about the book, join my e-group, or check the schedule of my “Blog Until You Drop” tour.

What’s your favorite salad dressing: Ranch? Blue cheese? French? Thousand Island? Let me know and I’ll send a copy of IN The MASTER’S BED to one lucky commenter.
_____________________________________
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved. ®and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Enterprises Limited and/or its affiliated companies, used under license.

Photo by Jennifer Girard

20 comments:

  1. Blythe,

    Your book looks intriguing, can't wait to read it and your recipe will certainly be added to my collection of recipes and tried out this week.

    I love all sorts of dressings, my new favorite for the summer has been a Raspberry Walnut Vingerette.
    Best of luck to you,
    Teresa W,

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  2. This is my first time on Shirley's blog. Welcome Blythe. I have never read an HQ Historical. Shame on me. I love the cover of your book. It's like Shirley said, HOT! I would love to win a copy!

    Your dressing recipe sounds delish. I'm going to try it tonight. I'm usually a Thousand Island girl but lately I've been trying honey mustard and some vinaigrettes.

    Cher

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  3. Your cover is great! I haven't read any HQ historicals but I think I'll make an exception.

    As for dressing, I'm a classic bleu cheese girl,the chunkier, the better. But for diet reasons, I've been leaning towards an oriental sesame style.

    Margie

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  4. No need to enter me, Blythe. Just me, dropping in to let you know I've posted about this at Win a Book.

    Shirley, if we can help get YOUR name out and about, drop us an e-mail! We'd love to hear from you.

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  5. Blythe's new book sounds great!

    I like papaya seed salad dressing!

    dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  6. Scribble - Raspberry Vinaigrette - yum. But not one I know how to make! Cher - thanks for stopping by. Always good to make new friends for Shirley and for HH. Wishwryter - I'm a blue cheese gal, too. Like you, I try to back off a little. Susan - thanks for dropping by. And Dag - wow. That dressing sounds exotic and wonderful!

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  7. That's an AWESOME cover and the recipe sounds great!

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  8. So nice to see Blythe here, enjoying your blog tour! Can't wait to read ITMB!

    I like Maui Onion dressing!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Nikki - I love the cover, too! Etirv - nice to "see" you again. Maui Onion is a new one on me!

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  10. Anonymous3:29 AM

    I usually don't use any dressing...like my salads the same as a man...naked. :) BUT, for some reason, I do like Greek dressing.

    Pen

    pmettert (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  11. I must say that after reading so many yummy different types of dressings here, I want to try them all along with Blythe's new book. The cover is very enticing.

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  12. Like I said already somewhere else, interesting book!
    I have to admit that I don't eat salads. Well, if I happened to eat it sometimes, I wouldn't use any salad dressing (I don't even use ketchup, mayonnaise or mustard on anything - people are usually saying how come I can eat food that has no taste) :P

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  13. I had blue cheese dressing for the first time last summer and gotta tell you...it's DELICIOUS!! :)

    Congrats on your new book, looks AWESOME!

    rachie2004 @ yahoo (d0t) COM

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  14. My favorite dressing is Oriental Sesame which comes with the Wendy's Chicken/Madarin Orange salad.

    I'd love to read your book. Your name seems familiar. Did you go to Spring fling?

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  15. Lyoness200912:55 AM

    I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this but I hate dressings!! Something about them seem too sweet...so I normally just eat cottage cheese on top. Pretty tasty.

    lyoness2009 AT hot mail **dot** com

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  16. Anonymous7:08 AM

    For me salad is just an excuse to eat dressing. I always pour more than needed so I can have the excess with bread...;-)
    My pick is Blue cheese although I pretty much love them all!

    mllytucker(at)hotmail(dot)fr

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  17. Mmmm. Some naked salad lovers here. Or, I mean lovers of naked salads - Pen, Maija, and Lyoness20009. Scribble, I love the cover, too! Also nice to see some fellow blue cheese addicts. RachieG and Emmanuelle. I need to find a recipe for that! Cathy, yes, I was at Spring Fling and presented on "Getting Your Act(s) Together." Have a great weekend everyone!

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  18. I like raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Yum Yum!

    Sounds like a good book. Please include me in the giveaway.
    heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

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  19. I'm an Italian girl all the way.... Thanks for the opportunity.

    estrella8888(at)roadrunner(dot)com

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  20. I love blue cheese...especially on a burger!

    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

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