by Jenny | 22 Jan, 2023 | Cooking With Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford
I’m working on an exciting project to kick off 2023 – a reboot of my Joan Crawford cookbook. This has been available on Blurb since 2014 and was the first movie star recipe collection I published. I had lots of vintage JC postcards and over 30 of her...
by Jenny | 14 May, 2018 | Bette Davis, Corinne Griffith, David Bowie, Elizabeth Taylor, Hal Linden, Irene Dunne, Joan Crawford, Natalie Wood, Ross Martin, Sophia Loren, Vincent Price, William Holden
I can’t believe that I’ve been writing this blog for 12 years – goodness me. So much has changed in that time. When I began I was a broken-hearted singleton living on a houseboat on the Thames. My tabletop cooker had to be turned on...
by Jenny | 16 Dec, 2017 | Joan Crawford
To celebrate the fact that Feud: Bette and Joan has its UK premiere TONIGHT I thought I’d suggest her recipe for Danti-Chips as a fun snack for you to rustle up. When I launched the Joan Crawford cookbook in 2014 I organised a virtual...
by Jenny | 29 Nov, 2017 | Bette Davis, Joan Crawford
Date for your diaries UK based chums! Feud: Bette and Joan starts on BBC2 on Saturday, December 16th with a double episode – whoop whoop! I got a sneaky peak of the series when it aired in the USA and I absolutely loved it. It’s event TV folks!...
by Jenny | 24 Apr, 2017 | Joan Crawford
I cannot believe that Feud: Bette and Joan is over already! That just flew past. I am a few episodes behind though. I don’t have a TV, a friend at work grabs the episodes for me and puts them on a memory stick so that I can watch on my laptop in bed....
by Jenny | 1 Apr, 2017 | Bette Davis, Joan Crawford
I am loving Feud: Bette and Joan and decided this month to offer TWO recipes for you to try out, one by Bette and one by Joan. More pix on the Recipe of the Month page if you are looking in April 2017 including a cute dog chewing on a ham bone, and Mr Rathbone playing...
by Jenny | 17 Mar, 2017 | Joan Crawford
I finally got to see episode one of Feud: Bette and Joan and I LOVED IT. So utterly brilliant! It’s got me wanting to cook like Joan again, so I’ve pulled out my copy of the Joan Crawford Cookbook (a book what I wrote) and am getting inspired… The...
by Jenny | 2 Jan, 2016 | Joan Crawford
I was aiming for this to be my last blog post of 2015, to neatly tie up all my Joan Crawford business, but there’s been so much FUN going on, I missed my self-imposed deadline. No matter. I was prouder of this dish, than anything else...
by Jenny | 10 Oct, 2015 | Eli Wallach, Joan Crawford
Spinster’s Saturday! Hooray! This means EGGS for breakfast. Although I was craving Natalie Wood’s Huevos Rancheros, I decided to try a different recipe from the Recipes for Rebels cookbook instead. So I went for Eli’s Eggs Birmingham. Greg...
by Jenny | 11 Aug, 2015 | Joan Crawford
This soup has been a long time coming. Like a bit of homework I’ve been putting off for months and months and months, it’s the penultimate Joan dish from the book to be photographed. So here it is, in all its splendour, Joan Crawford’s...
by Jenny | 7 Aug, 2015 | Florence Vidor, Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo, Janet Gaynor, Joan Crawford, June Knight, Marion Davies, Mary Pickford, Norma Shearer
Cripes. This party took place in September 2014, so my memories are now pretty dim, but this has just got to come off my “to do” list… The first part of my report was written soon after the party (sensible) and is here… My...
by Jenny | 29 Mar, 2015 | Dorothy Sebastian, Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford
In the queue for the closing screening at the Silent Cinema Festival in Bo’ness, Mr Rathbone said: “Hippfest is everything I like about the world.” I knew exactly what he meant and heartily agree. We had an absolutely wonderful time at the...
by Jenny | 21 Feb, 2015 | Joan Crawford
This recipe and over 30 more of Joan’s favourites can be found in Cooking With Joan Crawford – only available from Blurb. Are you having an Oscars party? Here in the UK it starts around midnight but I know quite a few people who will be pulling an...
by Jenny | 6 Dec, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Ah, I am quite sad that this will be the last post about the lovely Joan party, it was so much FUN! But all good things must come to an end and I have to send special BRAVOS to Dottie and Stan (my mum and dad) and Greg of Greece for attempting the Crepes...
by Jenny | 6 Dec, 2014 | Joan Crawford
I love, love, love this photo of “Alfonse” at my folks place in Suffolk announcing the menu for their Joan Crawford Dinner Party. My mum’s verdict on the steak: “Delish” seemed to be the universal reaction from around the...
by Jenny | 27 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Next on the menu for the worldwide Joan-fest were Danti-Chips. One of the proofreaders for my JC cookbook said that he’d searched high and low on the internet for a reference to Danti-Chips, so that he could check the spelling. The only references...
by Jenny | 21 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Kicking off my reports on the wild parties that went on all around the world to launch my Cooking With Joan Crawford cookbook, here are some lovely pix featuring the Joan Crawford Cosmo – a cocktail invented by yours truly to get the parties going with a swing....
by Jenny | 18 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
If you like melon and you like proscuitto you’ll like these! Joan also suggests slices of fresh figs or wedges of fresh pears for your present wrapping skills… As the mention of going to see The Specials seemed to spark a lot of interest on the...
by Jenny | 13 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
If I am ever asked if there is anything I don’t eat, I usually say, “I’m a bit weird about mushrooms, aubergines and shellfish but everything else is fine”. If I’d been around in the 1930s and 1940s I would have defintely added...
by Jenny | 9 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Photos are coming in thick and fast from all around the world of Joan themed dinner parties and I am just so thrilled! I’ve had pix from Greece, Australia, the US of A, the UAE, Devon, Cornwall, Walthamstow, round the corner in Muswell Hill and beyond! A...
by Jenny | 9 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Joan’s recipe for Coleslaw appeared in the genius book “My Way of Life” and is a little bit vague. This to my mind is always a sign that the person writing the recipe really knows what they are doing. I am someone who likes to have every...
by Jenny | 9 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Cutting the crusts off a loaf of bread then covering it with half a pound of butter sounds like a crazy thing to do right? Yes, I thought so too. When I told Mr R how much butter was involved in making this he made an exclamation that’s not fit for a...
by Jenny | 8 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
It’s out! My book is unleashed upon the world and naturally I am over-excited. You can check it out here, and if you click on the big picture when you get there, preview the first few pages. Aint it cute?! I am inordinately proud of it. I...
by Jenny | 7 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
See my cookbooks! See my kitchen! See my kitchen record player with glasses of champagne on it! Watch out, this starts off without sound then “Let There Be Drums” kicks in...
by Jenny | 6 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Every single man jack of you is invited to my Cooking With Joan Crawford book launch on Saturday. As I can’t fit you all into my flat I’ve organised a virtual reality dinner party that everyone can participate in, wherever you are in the world. ...
by Jenny | 1 Nov, 2014 | Joan Crawford, Vincent Price
These were unanimously enjoyed at my Halloween party (although approached somewhat gingerly by a couple of guests). Liver is a funny thing. Here in the UK a lot of us associate it with school dinners. A tough lump of stuff dipped in flour and...
by Jenny | 30 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Simple and classic. Rye bread, smoked salmon, capers and lemon wedges. I can’t remember where I got these lovely round rye bread slices but I think it might have been the beloved Scandikitchen. Or it might have been Budgens in Crouch End as they...
by Jenny | 29 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford, Movie Star Cocktails
I pressed the “publish” button for my book on Friday – eek! I’ve been celebrating all weekend. Here I am, cocktail in one hand, proof copy in the other. Don’t I look pleased with myself?! Well I AM pleased with myself. It was a lot of...
by Jenny | 27 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Joan’s directions for this recipe were to put a tablespoon of mint ice in the bottom of a tall stemmed glass before adding strawberries and pineapple and dusting with powdered / icing sugar. I wasn’t sure what she meant by mint ice so I froze some...
by Jenny | 22 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
This is probably the weirdest thing I have made in over 8 years of trying the favourite recipes of movie stars. Very weird indeed. Did I eat it? Well, I tried it. I ate about half of one of these delightfully shaped cheese balls… ...
by Jenny | 21 Oct, 2014 | Betty Balfour, Charles Rogers, Dorothy Sebastian, Edith Roberts, Joan Crawford, Zasu Pitts
This is the first part of a whistle stop tour of the dishes served at the fourth testing party for the Hollywood Cocktails and Canapés book Nathalie and I are planning to cobble together. Phew. Most of these dishes will probably make it into the book,...
by Jenny | 21 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
It must be wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy past my bedtime because Janice Long is on the radio. For young folks, or my chums who are not UK based, this is basically the equivalent of going to a really fabulous party, leaving, and then finding out that it’s light outside...
by Jenny | 19 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
I’ve just spent a glorious weekend at the seaside with 4 very old and very dear friends. This month marks a major anniversary of the year that we as fresh faced young idiots left our family homes and went to the esteemed University of Kent at Canterbury to...
by Jenny | 19 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
There was much sniggering in my open plan office when I made a phone call and said, “can I order three pigeons please?” James who sits behind me said, “can’t you just get them from outside the railway station?” Followed by,...
by Jenny | 16 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
I had a day off work yesterday to finish the Cooking With Joan Crawford book. Is it finished? Sort of. MAN it’s been a lot of work. I have a renewed admiration for all cookbook writers and Frank DeCaro in particular. Lord only knows...
by Jenny | 13 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
In my fading memory, Lemon Meringue Pie was something my mum made for us all when we were kids (I have four siblings) and in my mind’s eye I see massive peaks of meringue all browned on the edges like this one by James Martin… BUT, my mum used to work all the...
by Jenny | 13 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Does anyone remember Ask The Family with Robert Robertson? My favourite thing about that show was the section where they showed an extreme close up photograph of an everyday object like a can opener, and the family had to guess what it was. They could have used...
by Jenny | 8 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
These are weird but I like them. Alex James from Blur wasn’t keen though as you’ll see from my appearance on Market Kitchen a couple of years ago… Here’s one just about to go in the oven. I couldn’t find any small white onions...
by Jenny | 6 Oct, 2014 | Joan Crawford
When I told Mr R that Crepes Suzette were on the menu his response was: “I’m not sure if I eat that” but when asked if he knew what it was, he admitted that he wasn’t sure. I said, “you make pancakes, then pour brandy over them, then set fire to them.” I am getting...
by Jenny | 29 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
These are stupendous. I defy anyone to make them and then resist eating at least 6 or 7 before guests arrive. This is a photo reference for the Joan Crawford Cookbook when it comes out in November… I’m working on it like a mad thing to...
by Jenny | 27 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
It was the 10th anniversary of my book group last night. 10 years of about 6 or 7 books a year multiplied by about 7 or 8 bottles of wine consumed at each book group dinner = probably around 500 bottles of wine. Ha ha. Last night was no exception,...
by Jenny | 15 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
You know when you see recipes in a magazine and they specifically say that it’s something that is perfect for a weeknight dinner? Well this one definitely is. I got home at 7, rustled it up for me and my chum Heather, we ate it and washed up, and were both in our own...
by Jenny | 14 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
I’m writing this in the “Joan Zone” – Mr R’s name for the writing desk in my bedroom. I wanted to create a space that would help me to concentrate on all the many things I need to do before the book launch. I’ve moved away from “Columbo Corner” (the comfy sofa in the...
by Jenny | 12 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
I love this spinach salad. It’s easy peasy, tasty and fairly healthy… Reminds me of the Vincent Price Wilted Spinach Salad with Bacon Dressing I have made a few times. Both lovely, although Vincent’s version includes...
by Jenny | 11 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Mmmmm – avocado, pineapple, cottage cheese… Delicious! I’m gathering together all photos of Joan Crawford dishes already made and posting them here in the next few weeks. The Joan Crawford Cookbook will be published on Saturday 8th November...
by Jenny | 6 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
This is the second in my flurry of Joan Crawford recipe pics. This salad isn’t as photogenic as the Nice Salad for a Squab Dinner but it was almost as tasty. I’m a bit obsessed with mandarin segments after making the previous salad. The...
by Jenny | 5 Sep, 2014 | Joan Crawford
This is the first in a flurry of posts about Joan Crawford recipes ahead of the book launch – eek! There are no food photos in the book, just pictures of the lovely Joan, so this is the place for them. First here’s an easy fresh salad – just...
by Jenny | 28 Aug, 2014 | Joan Crawford
Oh my days (as the kids say)! The prototype for my Joan Crawford Cookbook arrived on Wednesday and I am so thrilled with it. Would you like a sneaky peak? Here’s the cover: and here is one of the recipe pages: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! ...
by Jenny | 12 Feb, 2014 | Joan Crawford
I promised a little monthly update on book writing progress so here goes… Like Elvis, my book has left the building. It’s gone over to Lisa at Write the Freakin’ Book for a big picture edit. Gulp. Lisa will be the first person...
by Jenny | 24 Dec, 2013 | Joan Crawford
Wishing all my readers wonderful times with their friends and families over the festive season. More fabulous food and drink suggestions from Joan, Bette, Clark, Carole, Clara, Mae, Vincent and all my other favourites coming in 2014. I raise a turkey leg and a...
by Jenny | 20 Aug, 2013 | Joan Crawford
Surprise hit of the evening. Tortilla chips with potted ham and cheese and gherkins. Here they are just about to go in the oven: There was much fun in the kitchen making these as we imagined Joan INSISTING on perfectly shaped chips and going nuts if one of...
by Jenny | 19 Jan, 2013 | Joan Crawford
My photo of Joan’s steak was rotten so here’s a picture of one of the things that made it so gorgeous. Joan sure knows what she is doing on the steak front. Roquefort, mustard and butter on top. Oh yes, yes, yes. I didn’t have...
by Jenny | 29 Dec, 2012 | Joan Crawford
It’s been a fabulous Christmas. I was VERY pleased with my turkey. Vic and Corinna and Isaac came over and we had the traditional Xmas dinner with all the trimmings, fiery Christmas pudding, mince pies and a huge pile of cheese and biscuits. Yum yum....
by Jenny | 25 Jul, 2012 | Joan Crawford
I ate quite a lot of rich food in Amsterdam including this: in honour of Vincent Price’s Hotchpotch of Curly Kale… so on Saturday I was craving a Joanie salad. There has been a tin of pineapple slices in my cupboard for ages so I made this and it was...
by Jenny | 5 Jun, 2012 | Joan Crawford
Hmm. This was tasty. I had it with a Vincent Price burger that I retrieved from the back of the freezer. It had Roquefort cheese inside. Mmmm… Here’s Joan’s simple but effective recipe: “Wilted Spinach Salad: I pour hot...
by Jenny | 12 Mar, 2012 | Joan Crawford
A mustard mystery of Miss Marple magnitude in Melton Mobray this weekend! Oh my goodness the intrigue! Trix, Jane and myself made a pilgrimage to the Great British Mustard Bash: a six hour round trip to see if my Colonel Mustard’s Mustard’s...
by Jenny | 14 Feb, 2012 | Joan Crawford
“Bedroom problems? There is absolutely nothing in my bedroom that bothers me!” Me neither Doris, me neither! Although I WOULD like to have a white telephone beside the bed. Ignoring the fact that I don’t actually have a land line… I...
by Jenny | 5 Feb, 2012 | Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford
I was thrilled to be invited to contribute a recipe to the Guild of Food Writers’ Treasury, and it’s gone live today on their website – GFW Recipe of the Month – I snuck in two as they are for little film star nibbles. Gloria Swanson’s...
by Jenny | 1 Feb, 2012 | Joan Crawford
The recipe of the month is up. I was thinking about what I would like to eat on Valentine’s Night. I will treat myself to a nice juicy steak prepared Joanie style with a good bottle of wine. I might watch Pillow Talk. I love the...
by Jenny | 19 Dec, 2011 | Joan Crawford
Christmas came early this year to The Palace of Solitude as yesterday I cooked Christmas dinner for three. Wow, what a lot of work! But it was worth it and I was very pleased with my Vincent Price “Roast Turkey Wayside Inn” which I’ll write about...
