Murder Digs Deep

Murder, She Wrote - S2:E11

Jan 04, 2023

Jessica is roughing it on an archaeological dig in New Mexico; how fabulous!

She is researching a new book with the working title Murder at the Dig. But she’ll also be keeping Seth company as he’s one of a bunch of excited volunteers.

There is treasure in them there hills for sure.

Robert Vaughn plays Gideon Armstrong, the grouchy boss of the whole expedition.

He’s not interested in the zealous volunteers finding just “more pots”

as he’s after the big money items. He knows something that the others don’t about what might be under this particular patch of earth.

There are many mouths to feed at the dig, and Gideon’s glamorous wife doesn’t like eating in the open air.

She thinks that picnic style eating leads to being target practice for bugs. But if you have some plastic gingham tablecloths, a few metal plates and a tilly lamp or two, you could have a lovely alfresco meal incorporating Robert’s Stuffed Zucchini.

This would be a great vegetarian dish for archaeologists as you have to scoop out the flesh of the zucchini to make little boats with a teaspoon. Just like Seth digging his trench on the dig!

Robert Vaughn’s Mushroom Stuffed Zucchini
6 medium zucchini/courgettes
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon oil
1 small clove garlic, crushed (optional)
4 oz mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons tomato puree
Salt and pepper
Pinch each of oregano and basil
¾ cup finely crushed cheese biscuits/crackers
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
1 oz butter
Preheat oven to 350℉.
Cut the stems from the zucchini, halve them lengthwise, scoop out the pulp and chop that up coarsely. Sauté the onion in oil until tender. Add the garlic and mushrooms and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the tomato puree, ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper to taste, oregano, basil, cracker crumbs and the chopped zucchini. Spoon the mixture into the zucchini shells. Place on a greased baking dish, sprinkle with the Parmesan and dot with butter. Pour ½ cup hot water around the zucchini and bake for 45 minutes until tender.
Serves 6

Next time on Murder, She Cooked a recipe from the kitchen of the fabulous Jayne Meadows.

A shout out to everyone who joined me for the Cabot Cove Watch Party on the 20th December. It was heaps of fun and there were calls for another so watch this space!