Joan Crawford's Charcoal Broiled Steak

"I never go outside unless I look like
Joan Crawford the movie star."

I know EXACTLY what you mean Joan and I am not enjoying waiting for the phone to ring so I can find out if I am going to the Brit Awards tomorrow night or not! I need to look like Joan Crawford the movie star if I am going, and that takes preparation!

If the answer is yes, I want to wash my hair tonight so I can do the heated roller thing tomorrow morning with my early am coffee in bed. If not, I can relax in the knowledge that I'll be spending yet another Tuesday evening in the company of Desmond Carrington on Radio 2 instead. Which, don't get me wrong, I adore to do. To be completely honest, I don't mind which way it goes, I'd just like to know!

Joan's steak rocked. I had been fancying a big hairy steak for days and her sauce of butter, Roquefort cheese and mustard was utterly divine. Joan, I salute you and will be channeling you this evening and tomorrow. There is NO WAY Joan would not get a seat at the Brits if she wanted one!

Joan Crawford's Meatloaf

I was so excited to find the Holy Grail of Joanie's Meatloaf recipe that I invited Charley over to partake. I knew he would appreciate her secret ingredient of hard boiled eggs. My new squeeze is anti eggs and when I told him that Charley LOVED hard boiled eggs he said, "well bully for Charley" which made me laugh.

Alas, when I went to the butcher and priced up the meatloaf I had to change my plan. I was making HALF the meatloaf Joan would have made and the sirloin and veal alone would have come to £30! Unlike Joan, I am not earning a gazillion pounds a week. Actually I am not earning any money at all and haven't done for quite some time so had to change the plan. I bought 4 lamb chops instead which were quite, quite delicious. Viva the butcher. The meat is definitely more tasty.

I shall start a savings plan for the meatloaf.

Joan Crawford's Creamed White Onions in Red Pepper Cup

"I need sex for a clear complexion, but I'd rather do it for love."

An interesting take on the whole thing thanks Joan... There has been MUCH discussion on the ins and outs of our love lives during the cooking and many interesting things are coming out of it. There seems to be a move towards free spiritedness. A move towards just seeing what happens. Going with the flow. Good.

We are still in the dark as to what "table sauce" is - or was in the 1930s. We decided to use a mixture of Worcestershire Sauce and Chili Sauce which turned out to do the trick. I ate all mine but don't blame Ruth for not eating hers as we are putting away a LOT of food today. There have been Anna May Tea Cakes to nibble on throughout the day too but I'll leave it to Ruth to blog that one...