The Perfect Foil

Murder, She Wrote - S2:E21

I just had to share this ace photo my chum Caroline sent me.

Is anyone in LA? Please visit, have a burger and report back!

I would love to know if the burgers are named after characters in the show…

Tonight on Murder, She Wrote

The Perfect Foil

Jessica is in New Orleans! She finds herself right in the middle of Mardi Gras, which is somewhat unexpected; she didn't even think to bring a fancy outfit.

J.B. is on the hunt for her distant relative Cal Fletcher, but when she arrives at his home, a rather raucous costume party is underway, with most guests wearing masks.

This makes it difficult for her to find her man, but eventually, she's told he's the one with the nose. Cyrano de Bergerac.

Lt. Edmund Cavette takes a fancy to Jessica and whisks her off to a posh restaurant where there is a real live harpist.

When she refuses a wine top-up, he insists that she partake, saying flirtatiously, “It's bad luck not to finish the bottle.” I've never heard that one before, but I shall definitely use it as an excuse in future. 

Edmund almost makes it into my top five potential suitors for Jessica, but he spoils it a little bit by not knowing what furnidents are.

Do you? No, I didn't either until Jessica explained what they are.

You learn something new every day when you are a Murder, She Wrote fan.

Cesare Danova’s Risotto alla Milanese

7 tablespoons butter, divided use

1 small onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons bone marrow

½ cup dry white wine

3 cups rice

About 6½ cups boiling meat stock

Generous pinch of saffron, soaked in water

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve

Melt half of the butter in a large, heavy pan and sauté the onion and bone marrow gently until the onion is transparent and golden. Add the wine and cook until reduced. Stir in the rice and sauté gently until it begins to brown. Pour in 1 cup of boiling stock (it will sizzle alarmingly, but this is as it should be). Continue cooking until the liquid has been absorbed, then add another cup of boiling stock. Continue to cook the rice in this manner, stirring carefully, until all the liquid has been used up and absorbed. When the rice is almost ready, after about 20 minutes, add the saffron, stirring this into the rice to color it. If all the rice does not change color, this does not matter - a two-color risotto is very effective. Turn off the heat, and gently but thoroughly stir in the remaining butter and the cheese.

Cover pan and let the risotto settle for 2 minutes. Serve at once, accompanied by a bowl of additionally grated Parmesan.

Serves 6

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

Angela Lansbury recipe demos

This year I’m going to begin sharing video demos of every Angela Lansbury recipe I know of - eleven! - for all the lovely members of the Cabot Cove Club (aka paid subscribers). There will be chit-chat about Murder, She Wrote and all kinds of other good things. Monthly subscription for less than a fancy takeout coffee my friends!

Do you like classic movies?

On my other Substack, I propose a classic film to watch each month with an accompanying recipe.

This month it is Some Like it Hot

with a Tony Curtis goulash recipe - skip over here to check it out.

Did you get some “Christmas money”? Treats to self…

Books are available worldwide via Amazon. Here’s a link to my UK author page where you will find them all.

switch to your own country for the correct prices if you are elsewhere in the world.

Cheerio, for now, tune in for another fabulous episode next month.