It is TOO COLD for salads at the moment here in London and the thought of having one makes me shiver. But it’s hot elsewhere in the world right?!
Years ago, in 2013, I came upon a mention of this on the internet.
The Clark Gable Salad, on the MGM commissary menu, consists of green chicory chopped with romaine, a deep covering of hard-boiled eggs and a circle of slivered beets. French dressing.
I made a note, and then forgot all about it. Well, eventually I got around to making it and it was delicious!
I didn’t serve it EXACTLY as described, but it had all the elements. I am sure the MGM commissary menu (and other studios) had dishes named after stars. I’m on the hunt, so if you know of any, do get in touch. Here’s the link to the 1931 article the Clark Gable salad appeared in.
I wonder what was in the Garbo Salad also mentioned in that article…
Oh, of course I had to Google it, so here’s what I found.
1 – a joke, which was pretty good I thought.
Q: What’s in a Garbo Salad?
A: Lettuce alone.
2 – a Mouli salad maker and vegetable basket from the estate of Greta Garbo sold at auction for $75 in 2014. SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS? You got it cheap.
3 – there used to be a diner in Chicago called Zephyr Cafe which served, “generous portions of food which were named after entertainment stars of the 1920s and ’30s; such as the Greta Garbo Salad and the Duke Ellington Club.” No further details. Poop.
4 – I found this great piece on what Garbo liked to eat – Cooking & Eating à la Garbo
5 – and my fellow movie star recipe experimenter Fritzy over at Movies Silently has tried Garbo’s cornflakes with jam and coffee (in the cornflakes you understand, not alongside).
But no tidbits about what was in the MGM Garbo Salad, anyone out there know?
Ooh, stop press I’ve just found an MGM menu with an Elizabeth Taylor Salad and a Cyd Charisse Salad – coming soon when this cold snap is over!
8 responses
The Zephyr Cafe looks so fun! So sad it’s no longer around.
Me too, it looks so groovy!
The Zephyr Cafe looks so fun! So sad it’s no longer around.
Me too, it looks so groovy!
LOL, Cyd Charisse gets cottage cheese and celery to keep the slim trim dancer’s figure, and Elizabeth Taylor gets something more…decadent! I love looking at old menus…
LOL, Cyd Charisse gets cottage cheese and celery to keep the slim trim dancer’s figure, and Elizabeth Taylor gets something more…decadent! I love looking at old menus…
Me too Sally. I was so excited to find this. It sent me down a big rabbit hole of research looking for sandwiches and salads named after movie stars. I feel Cyd Charisse salad coming on after all the excesses of the festive season, but admit, Liz’s turkey, cheese and salami loaded salad is much more my thing!
Me too Sally. I was so excited to find this. It sent me down a big rabbit hole of research looking for sandwiches and salads named after movie stars. I feel Cyd Charisse salad coming on after all the excesses of the festive season, but admit, Liz’s turkey, cheese and salami loaded salad is much more my thing!