- by Jenny
- Grace Kelly, The Great Bear Project
Ah, the beloved Great Bear Project! Our bid to cook our way through the 21 movie star stations as imagined by artist Simon Patterson on the two top spurs of the Northern Line is done. BUT,...
- by Jenny
- Shelley Winters
Happy New Year! I spent Christmas with my mum and watched a lot of telly. For ages I have been trying to remember the name of a game show I accidentally watched once that had me crying with laughter. I just couldn’t for the life of...
- by Jenny
- Lynda Day George, Murder, She Cooked
I love a pleasant surprise when I make a movie star recipe thinking, “this is going to be weird.” Because yes, this did seem weird to me, but also, it was absolutely delicious. It also felt indulgent and cheeky because I made it for...
- by Jenny
- Clark Gable
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,...
- by Jenny
- Murder, She Cooked, Ron Masak
Tonight’s the night my fellow Cabot Covians! Join me for a fun watch party wherever you are in the world. Fans of Murder, She Wrote will all watch the episode together in their own homes and natter about it via a private chat room...
- by Jenny
- Christopher Plummer, Nanette Newman, Tatum O'Neal
When Gill of Reelweegiemidget Reviews announces a movie star blogathon, I immediately check my movie star recipe spreadsheet to see what I have for the person in question. In the case of Christopher Plummer, in my whole collection of over 8,000 star-spangled favourites,...
- by Jenny
- Heinz 57 Challenge, Jane Asher, Joanna Lumley
I think a New Year Resolution for 2023 will be to write up movie star din-dins experiences IMMEDIATELY after I have had them. Because I am sitting here racking my brains about a dinner party we threw in January and the...
The beans I used in Richard Basehart’s Frankfurter and Beans were Heinz Beanz pimped up thanks to a Sharon Gless recipe, so that dish was a kind of Columbo/Cagney & Lacey mash-up. I’ve made Sharon’s beans before and they are GOOD. A shortcut to beans...
- by Jenny
- Gene Tierney
I love my local butcher, he really makes me laugh. When I went into The Hampstead Butcher in Muswell Hill to buy the pork for this recipe he was on top form. I told him I was working with Gene...
- by Jenny
- Bay White, David Lawton, Noele Gordon, Peggy Aitchison
This event has been a long time coming. Ever since Angus tipped me off to the existence of the Crossroads Cookbook I’ve been promising a night of delights from its pages. For those not familiar with this iconic British soap, I did a bit of...
- by Jenny
- Cooking The Detectives, Raymond Burr
I am never going to use dried beans again (unless a movie star specifically tells me to). They never, ever go soft for me, no matter how long I cook the little beggers. I cooked the beans for this chilli as Raymond directed me to, with...
Ever since we embarked upon the Heinz 57 Project I’ve been thinking that I must make this again. It’s in the Columbo Cookbook as Richard Basehart is in the Dagger of the Mind episode, and I had a feeling Mr R would love this one....
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury, Murder, She Cooked
I’m hosting a free Christmas watch party event on Sunday 18th November at 7pm GMT – everyone welcome, wherever you are in the world. All the details are in this Substack post – tell every single Murder, She Wrote fan you know...
- by Jenny
- Cary Grant, The Great Bear Project
I had to bite the bullet and get over my horror of the mushroom for the next of our Great Bear adventures. One of the requisites of creating a movie star dish appropriate to the station...
- by Jenny
- Top 100 Movie Star Recipes, Una Stubbs
The breakfast smoothie season is over. I have transitioned to overnight oats and it will soon be porridge a go-go. I live in a very drafty 1930s flat and it gets so cold here in the winter I...
- by Jenny
- Cooking with Columbo, Murder, She Cooked
Every year the lovely Columbophile mentions my Cooking With Columbo book as a nice thing to buy for a Columbo fan as a gift. This year I get to return the favour by recommending HIS brilliant book, which is brand new and fabulous. The Columbo Companion –...
- by Jenny
- Richard Arlen
STOP PRESS – just stumbled upon a new Richard Arlen recipe (July 2024) – Shrimp a la Maryland! I sent this over to Dave (see below) and by return post, he sent me this! Fabulous! Here’s my post from 2022… Richard Arlen is trending! Well, he’s...
- by Jenny
- Cooking The Detectives, Paul Michael Glaser
When I was a pre-teen, everyone at my school went bonkers for Starsky & Hutch. We begged our parents to let us stay up and watch it and all girls of my age either fancied Starsky or Hutch. Same with Donny Osmond and David...
- by Jenny
- Stanley Tucci, Tuccitime
I was in the same room as Stanley Tucci recently. OK, I was in the same room with him at The Barbican with 1153 other people, but I BREATHED THE SAME AIR. Myself and my...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury, Murder, She Cooked
So much has been written about beloved Dame Angela in the last few weeks. An enormous amount of love for her was expressed by so many people in the media. The internet was a better place for a few days....
- by Jenny
- Donald Pleasence
When this much anticipated book written by the Grand Poobah of Columbo, arrived on my doorstep on Donald Pleasence’s birthday, it seemed PORTENTOUS! I use the term Grand Poobah very much in a respectful way as per the first definition below, not the second definition at...
- by Jenny
- Marilyn Miller, Movie Star Cocktails
My lovely friend Sasa reminded me at the Murder, She Cooked launch party that I had vowed to write a book gathering together all the movie star cocktails I know of. It’s on the list, Sasa! Our conversation also reminded me that I hadn’t yet dipped...
- by Jenny
- Murder, She Cooked, Ron Masak
I was so sad to hear that Ron Masak had travelled to that Hollywood in the sky this week. He was my favourite of all the Murder, She Wrote co-stars, playing the wonderful character of Sheriff Mort Metzger. I am picturing Ron and Angela chatting over a...
- by Jenny
- Charlie Drake, Heinz 57 Challenge
Hello my darlings! Those of you who know Charlie Drake will hear his voice ringing through your head saying that line, I’m sure. When researching Heinz recipes for the Heinz 57 Challenge, I stumbled upon something BRILLIANT. A promotional film split into two parts that is...
- by Jenny
- Angie Dickinson
Now that the Murder, She Cooked book is out in the world I have a bit of breathing space and I’m rummaging around in the blog drafts archive for things I hadn’t quite finished. Here’s a LONG one about our Covid postponed honeymoon for those who...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury, Murder, She Cooked
After the very sad news this week that our much loved Angela Lansbury has gone to that Hollywood in the sky, I thought I would share some joyful photographs of my book launch. I truly hope that anyone who owns a copy of my Murder, She Cooked book...
- by Jenny
- Agnes Moorehead, Elsa Lanchester, Evelyn Ankers, Kim Novak
Just a quick post to let you all know I have a little spot on the Hollywood Kitchen Show today. I’ll be demonstrating how to make Agnes Moorehead’s Macaroon Delight as featured in Supper with the Stars. Here’s the lowdown from Karie who hosts the show...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury, Murder, She Cooked
It’s book launch day tomorrow and I am stupidly excited. Just to let you all know that I’ll be doing some Instagram Lives throughout the day as I’ll be Living My Life Like Angela Lansbury for the third time! Come and hang...
- by Jenny
- When Bloggers Meet or Collaborate, Yul Brynner
Yippeee it is the favourite day of all food bloggers everywhere. Pieathalon Day! It’s the 9th year of this bonkers escapade where a bunch of us send weird and wonderful pie recipes to Yinzerella of Dinner is Served 1972 and she dishes them out...
- by Jenny
- Marilyn Monroe
Excitement is mounting about the movie Blonde. I haven’t had a chance to see it at the cinema so I’ll be tuning in on Wednesday when it premieres on Netflix. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a bit of event TV in the...
- by Jenny
- Jerry Stiller
One night I said to Mr Rathbone over, and over and over again, “This is the funniest film I ever saw” about The Independent starring Jerry Stiller. The next day I could remember nothing about it. Zilch. Nada. So we resolved to watch it...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury, Murder, She Cooked
Greetings lovely readers! My Murder, She Cooked cookalong party on Sunday the 2nd of October is now live on Eventbrite. Everyone is welcome to come along and cook with me, or just be there for the chat about all things...
- by Jenny
- Murder, She Cooked, Robert Stack
In the run up to my Murder, She Cooked publication day I am sharing some of the wonderful feedback I’ve received from test cooks. Here’s the verdict on Robert Stack’s duck recipe from Matthew Lenton an old friend who somehow found me on social media...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury
Sunday was International Angela Lansbury Appreciation Day and I wanted to show my appreciation not only for the wonderful Dame Angela this week, but also for all the fabulous people who tested recipes for the forthcoming Murder, She Cooked book. There is no way I...
Happy International Angela Lansbury Appreciation Day! It’s a momentous day for me as I am celebrating completion of the Murder, She Cooked book. I am on tenterhooks awaiting my final proof copy but I THINK it is finished. Here’s Jessica reading...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury, Murder, She Cooked
Greetings friends! The Murder, She Cooked book will be released into the world TWO WEEKS TODAY. Oh my! I am sooooooo excited. I’ve just realised I haven’t shared the cover yet with my lovely blog readers so here you go… Fun eh? A big thank-you to Joan...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury
The Murder, She Cooked book is almost finished! Publication date is Friday 30th September and I’m hosting a zoom cookalong on Sunday 2nd October at 7pm GMT – everyone is welcome, spread the word! You can check what time this will be wherever you are in...
- by Jenny
- Olivia Newton-John
I was really sad when I heard that ONJ had headed off to that Hollywood in the sky. A thing that brought me extreme joy in the first pandemic lockdown was dancing with over a hundred other writers to Xanadu at the end of one...
- by Jenny
- Paul Sorvino
This is another recipe destined for the Murder, She Cooked book. Naturally, I was tempted to add some paper-thin slices of garlic, created with the aid of a razor blade, as we see Paul Sorvino’s character Paulie do in Goodfellas. But I resisted! No garlic in...
- by Jenny
- Vincent Price
It was such fun to have a zoom party celebrating the launch of the paperback and Kindle versions of the Supper with the Stars book last week. Peter always makes his events so much fun. Folks brought along dishes they had...
- by Jenny
- Ava Gardner, Diana Rigg, Vincent Price
My co-writer on the Vincent Price extravaganza Supper with the Stars organised a fabulously fun party last night to celebrate the launch of the paperback and Kindle versions. It was so lovely to see so many of our fabulous...
- by Jenny
- Debbie Reynolds, Greer Garson
For the second battle of the guacs, it was the M.G.M. star bracket – Greer vs Debbie. Collage artwork by Cherie Savoie Tintary. Karie over at Hollywood Kitchen had two guest stars discussing their relative merits: Samantha Ellis writes the column “Cooking with...
- by Jenny
- Annie Ross
What a lovely, lovely, lovely present to receive in the post. THE HAIR! This gift came from my dear friend Mark Brisenden, from the estate of Mr Pointon. It is glorious. Firstly, because there are so many appealing recipes within, and secondly because Annie Ross is...
- by Jenny
- Murder, She Cooked, Van Johnson
We are having a heatwave. It was 35 degrees C (95 degrees F) when I wrote this last night at 7.30pm! Flats in London are NOT EQUIPPED FOR THIS! For the first time EVER the temperature is due to hit 40 degrees C (104 degrees...
- by Jenny
- Gene Kelly
Behold the Greatest Man Sandwich in the World. When I made this recently (pre-Covid) and popped this pic up on Instagram it caused such excitement that I decided it HAD to be the recipe of the month....
- by Jenny
- Stanley Tucci, Tuccitime
This was very much a Friday evening dinner for Stanley, as described in Taste, this was something his dad made to give his wife a break from cooking. I fancied it as a breakfast dish though, and persuaded Cathy to come round...
- by Jenny
- Angela Lansbury
STOP PRESS! All of the writing and tweaking and editing for the Murder, She Cooked book is done – yippeee. I was wandering around with a feeling of great satisfaction and smugness and then FIVE MINUTES AGO I found an Angela Lansbury recipe on the...
- by Jenny
- Peter Fonda, Top 100 Movie Star Recipes
So it is day 12 of Covid and it is the first day my appetite is truly back. This is the perfect breakfast for a Covid convalescent I reckon because you cannot deny that this is a HEALTH DRINK....
- by Jenny
- Cooking with Columbo, Peter Falk
There isn’t any cooking going on at Silver Screen Suppers Towers as I have finally succumbed to Covid. I’m mostly sleeping and knitting with the occasional wobble to the kitchen for a Lemsip. So perhaps now is a good time for me to tell you about something...
- by Jenny
- Glynis Johns, Polly Bergen
Here’s a little update on what’s been occurring over on my Murder, She Cooked SubStack. Firstly there is a great chilli recipe to accompany your viewing of the Murder, She Wrote episode that features...
- by Jenny
- Pearl Bailey
I love Pearl’s way of pimping up broccoli and I am trying to perfect this easy side dish as I eat A LOT of these little green trees. The version I did today was good, but I think I can double the garlic next time. I’m...
- by Jenny
- June Havoc, Movie Star Cocktails, Murder, She Cooked
The June Havoc Almond Cocktail has been on the “to test” list for a while as she is in not one, but two episodes of Murder, She Wrote. The first is a truly remarkable one for film buffs. The Days Dwindle Down (1988) has...
- by Jenny
- Ethel Lloyd
These were DELICIOUS! I am under Doctor’s Orders to eat liver once a week so am experimenting with various recipes. This one is from the earliest collection of actors’ recipes I know of from 1916. I did a bit of research on Ethel Lloyd,...
- by Jenny
- Alan Hale
Here’s one for all you Gilligan’s Island fans. I’ve never seen Gilligan’s Island, I don’t think it ever screened here in the UK so if anyone has a recommendation of a particular episode for me to seek out – please do let me know....
- by Jenny
- Stanley Tucci, Tuccitime
When I told Mr Rathbone that Stanley Tucci had written a food memoir he said, “He could write a book about his slippers and they would publish it.” As documented in this blog previously, Mr Rathbone is very understanding about my celebrity crush on Yul...
- by Jenny
- Linda Lavin, Ron Leibman
I love a movie star recipe with a mad title and am generally compelled to make it. So it was with this one. I was surprised that no test cooks chose it for the Murder, She Wrote Cookalong with a name like this, but secretly I...
- by Jenny
- Diana Dors
Want to sprinkle a little stardust over your working from home luncheons? This is the easiest and tastiest way to do it. I have made this salad so many times because I love EVERYTHING IN IT. Plus it contains two things that you probably...
- by Jenny
- Eddie Albert
Coo, this was good! I needed to test this one for the Murder, She Cooked book, and Easter weekend seemed the perfect time for it. Eddie’s recipe is as vague as they get, and I wanted to make it clearer for...
- by Jenny
- Fay Wray
About once a year I buy an artichoke on impulse, and when I get it home am immediately gripped by fear about how to cook it. They are scary things if you don’t have them about your person very often. But the recipe I have now...
- by Jenny
- Murder, She Cooked, Paul Burke
My Murder, She Wrote related Substack is now monthly and the March edition features Jessica visiting a television set where one of her nieces plays a character in a daytime soap. Paul Burke is in this episode too, and the companion recipe...
- by Jenny
- Milton Berle
I am scared of hollandaise. Well, I am scared of making hollandaise. When I told my food writer chum Sam Kilgour this on the day I was planning to make Milton’s Eggs Benedict she gave me some excellent...
- by Jenny
- Hope Lange, Murder, She Cooked
I love it when someone with eagle eyes finds some movie star recipes and sends them to me in case I don’t already have them. My film archivist chum Margie is brilliant at this, and she sent over some Hope Lange recipes she’d found online. They...
- by Jenny
- Stanley Tucci, Tuccitime
When I went for dinner chez my chum Cathy (aka Battenburg Belle of Kitchen Confidence) for the first time since the pandemic began, I was thrilled that she was cooking up a marinara sauce to a Stanley Tucci recipe. I am mildly obsessed with Stanley Tucci and...
- by Jenny
- Jane Alexander
During the pandemic, with more kitchen hours at my disposal, I began working on my fear of cooking fish. Who knew it was so easy? Well, it’s easy when the recipes are good. Which this one was. So simple, and so delicious. Jane Alexander has...
- by Jenny
- Heinz 57 Challenge, Linda Gray
I couldn’t resist trying a recipe from the kitchen of Linda Gray. If only as an excuse to bung up a picture of one of the best evenings of my life. In Portugal. Hitting hundreds of people on the head with plastic hammers. What a...
- by Jenny
- Denver Pyle, Heinz 57 Challenge
The Jon Pertwee Spaghetti Flan still brings me great joy. Thinking about the fun I had cooking it with my friend Jan of Saucy Seventies Adventures several weeks ago still tickles me and there was a knock-on recipe, if there is such a phrase as a...
- by Jenny
- Donald Pleasence
This is probably the simplest recipe yet in 15 years of writing about movie star recipes (I’m not counting the Dean Martin Burger). I am as pleased as punch that I discovered some shortcuts for making Donald’s curry that meant even...
- by Jenny
- Boris Karloff, Gloria Stuart
I had such a fun time hanging out on zoom with three fellow movie star recipe obsessives a few Sundays ago. Karie Bible of the lovely Hollywood Kitchen Show gathered myself, Fritzi Kramer of Movies Silently and Samantha Ellis of Musings of a...
- by Jenny
- Cyd Charisse, Murder, She Cooked
My Murder, She Wrote related Substack is now monthly and the February edition neatly kicked off my episode guides for series two. I love Jessica’s appearance at the beginning, all dolled up in a turban and pearls! Cyd Charisse is in this...
- by Jenny
- David Birney, Meredith Baxter, Murder, She Cooked
This recipe is destined for the Murder, She Cooked book as David Birney pops up in four episodes. When interviewed by food writer Johna Blinn, David admitted that he was no great shakes in the kitchen and offered up this recipe from his...
- by Jenny
- Heinz 57 Challenge, Jenny Agutter, Murder, She Cooked
Jenny Agutter waving her knickers on a stick at an oncoming train is one of my earliest movie memories. I think I must have been taken to the cinema to see The Railway Children when it came out (that’s how old I am) and...
- by Jenny
- Fionnula Flanagan, Murder, She Cooked
It’s been a tradition for me to throw a birthday dinner for my beloved Battenburg Belle for many moons but we have missed two years due to RULES so I loved, loved, loved being able to do it this year. The big hit of...
- by Jenny
- Peter Falk
Four years ago today my Columbo cookbook was put out into the world. Writing this was so much fun and it has brought me huge joy ever since. The thing that makes me most happy is knowing that people all around the world are...
- by Jenny
- Murder, She Cooked, Wayne Rogers
This recipe has been hanging around on the Murder, She Cooked test cooking list for a lonnnnnng time. A few people volunteered to have a go at it, and then declined once they realised that liver was involved. No problem for me though, I love liver!...
- by Jenny
- David Niven, Edward Woodward, Jack Cassidy
A conversation with a colleague way back in November reminded me of my pledge in 2017 that I would ALWAYS make a Jack Cassidy Quicky Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving. As I had a spare evening on my hands on the last Thursday in...
