Lauren Bacall and Dean Martin Recipes for Blogger Prom 2010

We all know what Lauren Bacall would have worn to Blogger Prom but curious to know what she would have cooked?   What would Dean Martin crave once the fedora was on the hatstand and the tie hung in his closet? Not surprisingly an evening in with Martin involved red meat, booze and a TV tray…

Last Wednesday Yamashiro Hollywood was transformed as the Rat Pack were emulated by the Tweet Pack at Blogger Prom 2010. At Play Clothes Vintage Hollywood on Magnolia in Glendale I found the perfect cream gown, with a pleated chiffon skirt, from the 1950s. With two vintage diamond pins, a cocktail ring, ruby bracelet, heels and a white feather boa I was ready for my close up.  The lovely ladies at the shop also helped me find the perfect dark brown fedora and 1950’s silk tie for hubby who is after all the ultimate accessory! Very Rat Pack and SO dashing and handsome.

What struck me was how beautiful everyone looked – the feathers, fur, diamonds and pearls on top of satin and silks bought out the best in every woman regardless of size and shape. Tall and short, fat and thin – everyone looked FABULOUS. The men, not to be out done by their sparkling dates, showed up in fedoras, ties, well cut suits and a head held high swagger.  Oh, if only we could all make more of an effort and dress up more often.

Guests sipped Pinky cocktails, ate tuna tartar canapés and excitedly complimented their fellow bloggers on how gorgeous they all looked. Oscar for best dressed went to the committee – all decked out to the nines and obviously happy to have got through the planning and all important goodie bag stuffing.

Two things were missing to make it really authentic – cigarettes and dancing… maybe next year?!

As the evening came to an end and we all waited for the valet I began to think about what these glamorous people would have eaten back in the 1950s. A little research and this is what I found: Lauren Bacall’s recipe for watercress soup and Dean Martin’s burgers… both from my favorite little book The Celebrity Cookbook– a gift from my friend Artcook.

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Potage Cressoniere (Watercress Soup)

From Lauren Bacall

Here is my recipe:

1 lb potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ pints milk
one bunch of watercress
1 oz butter

Servings 6 – 8

Peel the potatoes, quarter them and boil them in salted water until tender. Drain, crush them with a potato-masher, and when free from all lumps add the boiling milk and salt. While the potatoes are soaking, wash and pick the leaves off the watercress and chop roughly. Add to the soup and cook for 5-6 minutes. Take off the fire and add the butter. Pout into a hot tureen and serve.

This recipe has been chosen by me as a favorite recipe for the simple, logical reason that I had it for the first time on my first trip to the most beautiful city in the world, Paris. It was a happy time, as it always is in Paris, so I pass this on hoping that a flvor of the city of the chestnut trees will be felt by all who have Potage Cressoniere.
Cordially
Lauren Bacall

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Dean Martin

Martin Burgers

1 lb. ground beef
2 oz bourbon — chilled

Preheat a heavy frying pan and sprinkle bottom lightly with table salt. Mix meat, handling lightly, just enough to form into four patties. Grill over medium-high heat about 4 minutes on each side.
Pour chilled bourbon in chilled shot glass and serve meat and bourbon on a TV tray.

Dean Martin

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Note to self: Find a TV tray and order some personalized Smythson’s stationary.