When Mr Rathbone discovered this ad online and sent it to me I was excited.
Whether Gene actually ever made any of these recipes himself, or whether this whole concept was an invention of a Durkee home economist (or Don Draper or one of his ilk) we will never know…
But late this summer, we were planning our first ever BBQ and as someone who LOVES corn on the cob, I decided to give “Gene’s” corny-cob a go. But here’s the thing, I misremembered the recipe, because the basic idea is to take the husks off the corn, brush it with melted margarine, sprinkle with salt and pepper, wrap it in foil and stick it on your BBQ.
But I used mayonnaise. WHAT?
I have no idea why I thought this was what was specified but you know what? It was utterly delicious. My excuse? It’s very hard to read the recipe in the scan of the ad.
I see from photographic evidence that I didn’t wrap it in foil either, just bunged it on the barbie with its husks folded back over…
It is so unlike me not to follow a movie star recipe to the letter! I did, however, do the chicken exactly to Karen Valentine’s specifications and you can find her recipe here.
This first BBQ endeavour was a huge success and we have pledged to do many more.
Bring on next summer!
If it is summer where you are, and you fancy doing COTC Gene Kelly style, here’s what it actually says!
Remove husks from corn. Brush corn with melted Durkee’s Homogenized Margarine—sprinkle with salt and Durkee’s Black Pepper. Wrap in freezer-weight aluminum foil. Cook on grill 15 to 25 minutes, turning frequently.
I see it’s still possible to get some Durkee’s products in the USA. I might have to persuade Dr Caroline Frick to smuggle over some Durkee’s Famous Sauce so I can have a go at the deviled eggs!
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