Dead Heat

Murder, She Wrote S2:E8

Sep 7

Before this month’s instalment, an announcement! The Murder, She Cooked book will be released on 30th September 2002. It will contain episode guides and companion recipes for all 132 episodes in seasons 1-6. Yippeeeeee!

I’ll be sending out information on how to buy the book via the Silver Screen Suppers monthly newsletter, so do sign up to that here if you don’t already receive it. The publication day missive will also include information about the London book launch party (October the 8th) and a link to an international Angela Lansbury Cabot Cove Cookalong (October 2nd). Everyone is welcome, come cook with me, or just watch!

I am of course, beside myself with excitement about everything!

OK, on with the show!

Jessica’s niece Tracy is a budding jockey and gets her big chance in an important race after another rider is taken ill.

Jessica is hoping to see Tracy ride her first winner,

but after the race, her niece is suspected of knobbling the original jockey for the opportunity to ride.

Our heroine must get to the bottom of murder to clear Tracy’s name, so she does some sleuthing.

J.B. isn’t really a betting woman, but she could have listened to the superstitious couple she meets at the racehorse, just for fun. They see all kinds of omens to help choose which gee-gees to back.

They give Jessica a tip on a horse called Egg Roll - I would definitely put my money on that one, of course. Any horsie with a food-related name is fine by me.

I love an exchange between a wisecracking cop called Lt. Ted Misko and Jessica. She has been rummaging around in a stable, looking for clues, and he asks her if she’s a cop. She tells him that no, she’s a writer, a murder mystery writer. Misko drawls, “I get it, like Charlie Chan, huh? Swell.” I haven’t heard anyone say swell for ages!

Make sure you include some carrots in your menu for this episode; most horses like carrots, of course, and those who don’t should invoke suspicion!

The companion recipe for this episode comes from the kitchen of Jack Carter.

Jack Carter - Fresh Fruit Kuchen
1 cup flour
½ cup butter
¼ cup sugar
2 cups fresh peaches, plums, apricots or any soft fruit of your choice, sliced
2 beaten eggs
½ cup sugar, or to taste depending on sweetness of the fruit
1 teaspoon vanilla
Drop of almond flavouring (go lightly or it will take over)
Combine flour, butter and the ¼ cup of sugar with your fingers until the mixture is crumbly. Press this mixture into a 12x12-inch pan. Bake until the dough is tinged with gold. While this is baking, combine the eggs, the ½ cup of sugar, vanilla and drop of almond flavouring. Add the fruit mixture. Pour onto the gold-tinged crust. Put back into the oven and bake until the fruit mixture and eggs are set - about 30 minutes. Cool before cutting into squares.
Serves 6-8

Next time on Murder, She Cooked a recipe from the kitchen of Yvonne de Carlo.