Widow, Weep for Me

Murder, She Wrote - S2:E1

In 1987 fans of Murder, She Wrote, eagerly awaiting the arrival of season two, might have been shocked when Jessica first appeared on screen. She emerges from a white stretch limousine dripping with pearls, wearing a glamorous gown and a mauve turban.

Arriving at a high-class hotel, she's extremely rude to the doorman and receptionist.

J.B. seems to have taken on all kinds of airs and graces. But all is soon revealed; she is in disguise, playing the role of a wealthy recluse. A dear friend has died under mysterious circumstances, and Jessica has hightailed it to the Caribbean to investigate. Undercover!

It’s the first time we meet a much beloved recurring character, the charming Michael Hagarty. He and J.B. drink rather splendid yellow cocktails with pink cocktail umbrellas and pineapple chunks as a garnish. Piña coladas? Maybe!

When the hotel manager engages in a bit of gentle flirting with J.B., she is magnificent in her role as an entitled snob and tells him, "I only drink Rothschild '61, if you don't have it, Mr Brown, get it!"

So if you are feeling flush, have a bottle of vintage champagne with this episode. On the other hand, if you are on the wagon, you could have iced tea with lemon, no sugar or chemicals, "good for the blood, very invigorating," says J.B.

In the hotel casino, Jessica's fabulous new roulette wheel chum advises her to "stay away from the crab cakes", so why not have some as a starter if your guests have strong livers?

Add in Cyd's South of the Border Casserole (she plays hotel hostess Myrna Montclair Leroy), and I think you have a rather glitzy dinner party on your hands! There are a lot of sequins in this episode, so go for it, glam up.

Cyd Charisse’s Mother's "South of the Border" Casserole

2 cups cooked, diced chicken

2 cup chicken broth

1 can (10½ oz) cream of mushroom soup

½ cup dairy sour cream

1 can (4 oz) green chiles, drained, chopped

½ cup black olives, chopped

½ cup chopped onions

½ teaspoon Greek seasoning

6 filo leaves (available in frozen food gourmet section of grocery stores or Middle Eastern speciality food shops)

2 cups grated New York-style Longhorn cheese

1 tablespoon melted butter (more if desired)

Preheat oven to 375℉.

Combine chicken broth, soup, sour cream, chiles, onion and seasoning.  Mix well.  Butter a shallow 9x10-inch baking dish. Line the bottom with 2 filo leaves.  Spread half of the mixture over the filo leaves.  Top with half of the cheese.  Repeat the layers, using the remaining leaves to form a crust on top.  Brush with melted butter.  Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Let the dish set for a few minutes before cutting into serving pieces.  Fabulous with a crisp green salad.

Serves: 6-8

Next time on Murder, She Cooked a recipe from the kitchen of the legendary Tom Bosley - our beloved Sheriff Tupper!

Here come all the linky-links!

More movie star recipes can be found over at the Silver Screen Suppers blog - 15 years and counting.

You’ll find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook by searching for Silver Screen Suppers.

Cooks are busy all around the world testing recipes and sending me feedback for my forthcoming book.

I am hoping to have the book out in the world at the end of September. In the meantime, if you like Columbo, you might like my Cooking With Columbo cookbook

If you have a Joan Crawford fan in your life my Cooking With Joan Crawford book is only available from Blurb.

There are only a few copies of the Vincent Price cookbook left so don’t delay if you’d like one of these.

Check out Tim Benzie’s Solve-Along-A Murder-She-Wrote website here. His shows are an absolute HOOT - Tim did a private show for my hen night. Can you guess which episode we did?

Check out Thom Kofoed’s etsy shop for loads of great goodies plus he’s doing T-shirts now, including one featuring our beloved Angela Lansbury.

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