Murder Under Glass is the BEST Columbo episode for foodies. There is so much brilliant stuff going on with Cioppino, “Bon Snacks” biscuits and Japanese blowfish I cannot even begin to explain…
If you have never seen it, seek it out on DVD and get yourself a bottle of Margaux and a Spong Corkette and settle in for the night…
Without giving anything away, let’s just cut to the chase and get to the Lieutenant and his cooking skills. As mentioned in the post about Columbo’s Omelet, he claims not to be a very good cook. However, it’s easy to see from this episode that he really does know what he’s doing with veal.
I have watched, and watched, and watched his technique, and here’s how he cooks Veal Scallopini (aka Escalope de Veau aux Cèpes). I made this one Saturday night recently for just me, myself and I, and it was soooooooooooooooo good!
Serves 2
2 veal escalopes, cut into long thin pieces if large
Approximately 1 tablespoon sweet / unsalted butter
Dash of olive oil
Salt
White pepper
2 shallots
Approx 50g dried wild mushrooms, soaked in boiling water for 20 minutes and chopped
1/2 glass red wine
Heat the butter and a dash of olive oil in a skillet / frying pan. Season the veal with salt and white pepper (Columbo observes that white pepper “somehow looks better on veal.”) When butter is bubbling, place veal in the pan and cook until browning on the edges, turn over and cook the other side. Columbo’s veal is in the pan for approximately 1.45 seconds – but depends how thin your escalopes are. Put the veal on a plate in a warm place.
Add shallots to the pan, “two should be enough” and the mushrooms and let them “bubble around” for a minute. Then add wine, and stir around for a moment until getting hot. Put the veal back in the pan for approximately 40 seconds to warm through. Serve with a simple tomato and onion salad with a mustard vinaigrette:
and lashings of Margaux!
This recipe, along with several from the kitchen of Peter Falk and many of his co-stars can be found in Cooking With Columbo. 
My book explores food and drink featured in the TV show and pairs a recipe from an actor or actor who appears in the show with each episode.
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12 responses
You forgot the cucumber in the salad!
Ooh, I am going to have to watch it again now!
You forgot the cucumber in the salad!
Ooh, I am going to have to watch it again now!
The salad consists of sliced tomatoes, red onions and cucumber garnished with parsley and served with a mustard vinaigrette dressing!
Thanks, Christopher – here’s how I wrote about it in the Cooking With Columbo book, “I have watched this episode many times to work out exactly how Columbo cooks this dish, and have transcribed his recipe below. It is absolutely delicious – just as Paul says it is. The duo eat it served alongside a simple tomato and onion salad, with a mustard vinaigrette made by Paul. Accompanied by Margaux of course.” I’ll have to get my glasses prescription checked! Jx
The salad consists of sliced tomatoes, red onions and cucumber garnished with parsley and served with a mustard vinaigrette dressing!
Thanks, Christopher – here’s how I wrote about it in the Cooking With Columbo book, “I have watched this episode many times to work out exactly how Columbo cooks this dish, and have transcribed his recipe below. It is absolutely delicious – just as Paul says it is. The duo eat it served alongside a simple tomato and onion salad, with a mustard vinaigrette made by Paul. Accompanied by Margaux of course.” I’ll have to get my glasses prescription checked! Jx
I’ve ended up adding more of mushrooms — chanterelles — and it turned out to be majestic. Thank you for going through the episode, I thought I’d have to do it myself!
Oh how WONDERFUL! I am so pleased you had a go and that it was majestic. That makes me insanely happy xxx
I’ve ended up adding more of mushrooms — chanterelles — and it turned out to be majestic. Thank you for going through the episode, I thought I’d have to do it myself!
Oh how WONDERFUL! I am so pleased you had a go and that it was majestic. That makes me insanely happy xxx