Lovers and Other Killers

Murder, She Wrote S1:E5

Those viewers familiar with the TV series Columbo might feel that Wayne Jennings from the episode Murder In Malibu has somehow dodged a prison sentence and changed his name to David Tolliver.

Andrew Stevens appears in both shows, playing a very similar character, a charismatic young charmer who has a way with the ladies and likes to be a kept man. He inveigles his way into acting as Jessica's temporary secretary,

and before you can say "chateaubriand for two", he has persuaded her to take him out and treat him to a fancy dinner.

J.B. is not taken in by his shameless flirting. He claims that other diners are staring at him "with envy in their hearts" because she is his dinner date. Being honest and direct as usual, Jessica tells him, "That is not only transparent David, it's corny." 

Whether David is the murderer or not, he is a super creepy character. Despite Jessica asking him not to go into her hotel room when she's not there, he does it repeatedly. Personally, this would freak me out, but Jessica is pretty level headed about it and just gets slightly annoyed.

Will David's big fluffy cuddly toy presented to her as a peace offering melt her heart? What do you think?!

Chateaubriand for two would be a fun thing to serve up for this episode if you have the spondulicks. Otherwise, how about a chicken dish from the kitchen of Greg Morris, who plays Lt. Andrews in this episode.  

Greg Morris’s Ob’s Chicken

2 large or 3 small chickens, jointed

3 cans of beer

2 large onions, sliced

1 x 11 oz can cream of chicken soup

1 x 11 oz can chicken broth

1 x 11 oz can golden mushroom soup

¼ lb fresh mushrooms

4 oz butter or margarine

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons chopped parsley

Salt and white pepper

2½ cups cooked rice

Place the chicken pieces in a large shallow pan or roaster and cover with the beer. Marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place all the soups in a saucepan and mix over a low heat until blended well.

Saute the mushrooms in butter or margarine.

Remove chicken pieces from the beer and place them in a well-buttered roasting pan. Do not rinse or wipe the chicken. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with paprika and cover with the mushrooms and onions. Dot with the butter or margarine.

Pour just over half of the soup mixture over the chicken pieces and cover the roasting pan. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the cover to brown the chicken for approximately one hour longer. When the chicken is almost brown, place the prepared rice in the centre of the pan, arranging chicken parts closely around the edges of the rice. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the rice and sprinkle with parsley.

Return to the oven and cook until the chicken is a deep golden brown.

Pour extra juices over the chicken and rice when serving.

Serves: 6-8

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Next week on Murder, She Cooked, a recipe from the kitchen of June Allyson.

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Cheerio for now, tune in for another episode next week!