Stanley Tucci’s Frittata, Tomato Salad, Spaghetti con Zucchine alla Nerano, Lamb Chops and Roast Potatoes
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 kitchen companion Battenburgbelle were in heaven listening to Stanley talk about all sorts of...
Recipe of the Month – Angela Lansbury’s Walnut Date Bread
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. She will live on through her movies and TV shows of course, and...
Donald Pleasence’s No-Name Curry
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...
Marilyn Miller’s Bronx Cocktail
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 in to a fabulous...
Ron Masak’s Recipes
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 cup of tea and...
Charlie Drake’s Cottage Pie
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...
Angie Dickinson’s Honeymoon Sandwich
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 would like a sneaky...
Feeling Thankful
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 can see it was...
Agnes Moorehead’s Macaroon Delight
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 on her Facebook...
Murder, She Cooked – Book Launch Day Tomorrow!
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 out in the Silver Screen Suppers kitchen or...
Piathalon #9 – Sagittarius Hamburger Pie
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 for each of us to...
(Potentially) Marilyn Monroe’s Cheese Lasagne
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 diary and I'm going to hook my computer up to...
Jerry Stiller’s Chicken Soup With Kreplach
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 again on "Stiller Saturday",...
Virtual Angela Lansbury Cookalong Party – FREE – everyone invited
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 Murder, She Wrote while the cakes are in the...
Robert Stack’s Duck a l’Orange
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 a few years ago....
Angela Lansbury’s Kitchen Sink Salad
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...
Murder, She Wrote Cocktails for Angela Lansbury Appreciation Day
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 an advance copy...
Book Launch News!
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 Ransley...
Angela Lansbury’s Cottage Pie
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 the world here...
Olivia Newton John’s Salad Nicoise
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 of the London Writers' Salon's 24 hour...
Paul Sorvino’s Rigatoni Bolognese
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 Paul's...
Recipe of the Month – Vincent Price’s Bloody Marys
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 made from those featured in the book including...
Paperback and Kindle versions of Supper with the Stars now available!
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 test cooks in the zoom room including Gill,...
Greer Garson’s Guacamole vs Debbie Reynold’s Guacamole
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 the...
Annie Ross’ Potato Salad
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...
Van Johnson’s Salmon Salad (Tinned)
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 F) here today. It's bonkers, but I have a...
Recipe of the Month – Gene Kelly’s Greatest Man Sandwich in the World
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. It's one of those "sounds weird, tastes good" movie star recipes....
Stanley Tucci’s Eggs With Tomato and Tomato Salad
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 early one morning with the hound I used...
Angela Lansbury’s Angie’s Power Loaf
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 internet I have...
Peter Fonda’s Blender Breakfast My Top 100 Movie Star Recipes #95
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. It was this recipe that prompted me to start a top 100 as I wrote a blog...
Peter Falk’s Avocado
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 I've been...
May and June on Murder, She Cooked – Polly Bergen’s Chilli and Glynis Johns’ Chicken Paprika
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 Polly Bergen, School for Scandal. and there is also a Glynis John's...
Pearl Bailey’s Jean’s Broccoli
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 experimenting with black garlic paste as a little...
June Havoc’s Almond Cocktail
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 a star-studded cast that includes...
Ethel Lloyd’s Chicken Livers With Curry
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, she appeared in 27 films...
Alan Hale Jn’s Skipper’s Dream Sandwich
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. I like the look of this one... When...
Stanley Tucci Spaghetti With Lentils
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 Brynner, which...
Ron Leibman’s Hoo-Ha Chicken
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 was pleased as I got to make Hoo-ha...
Diana Dors’ Flageolet Beans with Tuna
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 stockpiled at the beginning of...
Recipe of the Month – Eddie Albert’s Butterfly Lamb
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 those who fancied cooking it and watching Eddie play Shirley...
Fay Wray’s Steamed Artichokes
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 christened "Fay Wray's Way" is a winner....
March on 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 to the show is his Twelve...
Recipe of the Month – Milton Berle’s Eggs Benedict a la Me
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 advice, "don’t let it know you don’t like making it." She also...
Hope Lange’s Sardine Strips
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 had been transcribed...
Stanley Tucci Negronis
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 I was...
Jane Alexander’s Bluefish and Scallions
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 co-written a whole fish...
Linda Gray’s Oven-Steamed Asian-Style Fish
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 night! I loved that Sue Ellen T-shirt....
Denver Pyle’s Baked Beans
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 knock-on recipe? ...
Recipe of the Month – Donald Pleasence’s Shrimp Curry
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 though I was SMASHED on beer after...
Boris Karloff’s Guacamole v Gloria Stuart’s Guacamole
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 Classic Film...
