Jenny Hammerton - Cooking With Columbo: Suppers With The Shambling Sleuth--Episode guides and recipes from the kitchen of Peter Falk and many of his Columbo co-stars

Cooking With Columbo:Suppers With The Shambling Sleuth

Jenny Hammerton

Smashwords Edition 2018 JennyHammerton

All rights reserved. No part of thisbook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any meanswithout the written permission of the author.

Jenny Hammerton asserts the moral rightto be identified as the author of this work.

www.silverscreensuppers.com

FOREWORD

By Lieutenant Columbo (akathe Columbophile)

When I first heard word ofthis Columbo cookery book, I was skeptical, to say the least. A bookfeaturing recipes for chili, hard-boiled eggs, and black coffee wasbound to be a pretty thin volume, surely?

But then I had a think aboutthe role food played in Columbo . And I realized its a prettyimportant one. From the Lieutenant cooking an omelet for JoannaFerris in Murder by the Book to him whipping up scaloppini for Paul Gerardin Murder Under Glass ; from him gulping Dr. Keppels caviar in Double Exposure to assisting DexterParis on a live cookery show in DoubleShock , food is an ever-present andenjoyable ingredient of the show.

Beyond the confines of theshow itself, I had also never considered that the favorite recipesof Columbo starsmight have been immortalized in magazines and books of a by-goneera. The 70s really were special times.

Having had the opportunityto have a sneak preview of this book prior to its publication, Ican only commend author Jenny for her passion for the subjectmatter and her devotion to the Columbo cause. What you have here, isa fantastic collection of recipes suitable for every occasion, froma light dinner for one to opulent banquets for a house full offriends.

And that got me thinkingagain. If we were to host a magnificent, 70s-style feast using therecipes found here, which Columbo stars would be top of the guest list? Heres mylist. And naturally, youre very welcome to join us. LieutenantColumbo and Mrs. Columbo were invited, of course, but they had abowling league dinner dance to attend, so cant make it. Thosetickets cost $17.50 a couple, you know...

#1 Adrian Carsini( Any Old Port in aStorm )

Top of the list, in nosmall measure due to his magnificent turn of phrase and impeccablemanners. More importantly, because an exciting meal can easily beruined by the presence of liquid filth, having a man of suchdiscerning wine-matching skills has to be an advantage at ahigh-caliber soire .

#2 Nora Chandler( Requiem for a FallingStar )

Even if her star is waning,Nora Chandler remains a household name, a fashionista extraordinaire andcracking company, well accustomed to the sort of shallowsmall-talk of the showbiz world that would make her a smash hit atany social gathering. She'd be the center of attention without adoubt.

#3 Ken Franklin( Murder by the Book )

You want charm, wit andwinning conversation? You got it with Ken Franklin, who wouldbe impossible tobeat for entertainment value. Watching ladies' man Kenrepeatedly trying to have his wicked way with every female guest would be quiteriveting.

#4 Viveca Scott( Lovely but Lethal )

The beauty industry Empress knows howto turn on the charm, and as long as arch-rival David Lang isnt inattendance, one couldnt wish for a more genial and stylish dinnerguest than Viveca. We can only hope and pray that on this night ofall nights shell dust down the legendary fashion turban she savesfor special occasions.

#5 Dr. Ray Flemming( Prescription: Murder )

The human personification of'highbrow', Dr. Flemming is as much at home at upper-crust shindigsas Lieutenant Columbo is at Barneys Beanery. The gooddoctors presence would not only guarantee some stimulatinghypothetical conversations around the table but would also ensurethat the pre-dinner parlor games kicked things off with abang.

#6 Goldie Williamson( Blueprint for Murder )

Every opulent 70s' dinner party needsa dame of sass and personality to drive conversation and keepfellow guests on their toes. Goldie delivers both inspades, and would ensure there were no dull moments. Her end of thetable would be where you'd secretly want to be sitting.

#7 Dale Kingston( Suitable for Framing )

He may be a vile toad, butgive Dale Kingston a couple of glasses of Champagne and an excuseto exhibit his superior knowledge of art and just watch him go! Inan audience of intellects and bonviveurs like this, hed be in his element.And even if no one else understood his high-culture gags he'dfill any silence by yelling with laughter at his own jokes. Plus herocks the crushed velvet tuxedo look

#8 Leslie Williams( Ransom for a Dead Man )

A woman succeeding in atypically male-dominated profession, elegant legal eagle LeslieWilliams is razor sharp, supremely confident and mildly flirtatiousto boot. She'd be the mental equal of anyone around the diningtable and could go toe-to-toe with any leering gents(yes, you ,Ken Franklin) and knock 'em for six.

Theentertainment

During the starter and main,we'll be serenaded by TommyBrown , who will play some gentle acousticcovers of his greatest biblical hits at a volume sensible enough tonot interrupt conversations. He'll be followed by the Great Santini , whosejaw-dropping magical feats will be the perfect accompaniment todessert, coffee, and liqueurs.

The chef

With French gourmet Paul Gerardregrettably unavailable due to filming some silly commercial for'Bon Snax' crackers (how thoroughly low brow), laugh-a-minute TV chef Dexter Paris heroicallysteps into the breach. He'll prove there's more to him than justbeing a housewife's favorite by whipping up a dazzling array ofdishes, before dashing off in his Ferrari 330 DTS, electric mixerssafely in tow.

Do give your ultimate Columbo dinner partyguest list some thought as you work your way through this marvelousbook. And if you do find yourself thoroughly enjoying some of thedelectable delights tucked within the pages, please raise a glassto the good Lieutenant himself, and the man who made it allpossible, Peter Falk.

I hope you enjoy the book.

LC

Columbophile is a Columbo expert, blogger, and influencer based in Sydney,Australia. One of the worlds leading authorities on the show, hismission is to keep the memory of Lieutenant Columbo alive and closeto the hearts of fans everywhere.

Blog : www.columbophile.wordpress.com

Twitter : @columbophile

Facebook : www.facebook.com/columbophile/

Instagram : @columbophile

INTRODUCTION

Pop On Your Raincoat andParty!

Ive been a fan of Columbo for as long as Ican remember, but my real obsession kicked in around 1997. Atthat time, I often worked from home and Columbo always seemed to be on TV inthe afternoons. I was working very hard you understand, butalso watching Columbo with my one good eye. I printed out a list of theepisodes and used a blue highlighter to mark each one off as itaired, just like a kid with my tongue sticking out. I stillhave that list and have watched all 69 episodes of Columbo, many timesover.

I have become quiteevangelical about the Lieutenant over the years. I screechwhen someone reveals that they love Columbo . I grab them, give them a bigbear hug, and yell: I KNEW you were the kind of person who wouldlove Columbo .Thankfully, this type of person is everywhere I turn.

Until recently,watching Columbo has always been a self-indulgent treat. It reminds me oflost afternoons skiving off school, or of days when Ive felt a bitunder the weather and in need of some comfort TV. Recentlythough, Ive been sharing my guilty pleasure with others. Introducing or re-introducing friends to the wonders of Columbo is such a funthing to do. I havent met anyone yet who doesnt enjoywatching the detective. Have you? Rustling up anepisode-specific dish to share with family and friends is a greatway of making a Columbo session even more of an event. Grab a cigar,pop on your raincoat, and make a night of it!