FROM MIRANDA’S KITCHEN

Have you ever seen the Disney Movie (1999) MURDER SHE PURRED starring Ricki Lake?  If you haven’t, try to get a copy.  Sadly, it’s never been released in DVD, only VHS, and I don’t understand why!

The film is based on the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, a series of cat/dog who dunnits by the gifted mystery writer, Rita Mae Brown.   The series takes place in Crozet , Virginia, where Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen (Ricki Lake) runs the town post office when she’s not tracking down clues in the latest town mystery, always with the help of her cat (Mrs. Murphy) and Welsh Corgi (Tucker). 

Ricki Lake as Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen

Mrs. Murphy and Tucker

Mrs. Murphy

Tucker

Harry's Farm in Cozet, Virginia

In the film MURDER SHE PURRED, Mrs. Murphy and Tucker investigate a new neighbor who they believe may have committed a murder - but the snag is, locals are attempting to pair him off with Harry.  When Harry has to keep Sheriff Rick focused on something else so she can sneak a faxed wanted poster out of the sheriff’s office, she enlists the help of her sweet friend, Miranda Hoggendobber (Edie McClurg), who bakes a basket of mouth watering Apple Dumplings, which prove to be just what it takes to divert Sheriff Rick’s attention. 

 

Miranda delivers her Blue Ribbon Apple Dumplings to Harry

The bait is set ... Deputy Coop & Sheriff Rick digs into the Dumplings

Harry & Her Friends on the lookout for clues

Lunch at Susan's Restaurant The Cavalier ... the  best place for Virginia Ham & Biscuits

But just how involved is Dr. Blair Bainbridge in this murder?

Harry, Mrs. Murphy & Tucker won't stop until the case is solved!

There are quite a few books in this series, and they are some of my very favorite good reads.  If you can’t get the movie, get some of the books and add them to your late Summer-early fall reading list!

Mystery Writer Rita Mae Brown

 MRS. MURPHY MYSTERIES:

Wish You Were Here  (1990)       

Rest in Pieces    (1992)       

Murder at Monticello    (1994)       

Pay Dirt      (1995)       

Murder, She Meowed (1996)       

Murder on the Prowl    (1998)       

Cat on the Scent          (1999)       

Pawing Through the Past    (2000)       

Claws and Effect         (2001)       

Catch as Cat Can        (2002)       

The Tail of the Tip-Off (2003)       

Whisker of Evil   (2004)       

Cat's Eyewitness         (2005)       

Sour Puss (2006)       

Puss 'n Cahoots (2007)       

The Purrfect Murder    (2008)       

Santa Clawed     (2008)       

Cat of the Century       (2010)       

Hiss of Death  (2011)       

The Big Cat Nap  (2012)       

Sneaky Pie for President (2012)  

The Litter of the Law   (2013)       

Nine Lives to Die  (2014)

 

Dr. Bainbridge stops by Harry's Farm

Seeing this film always wets my appetite for Apple Dumplings!  They are scrumptious cored apples, with a spiced filling, wrapped in pie dough.  Very similr to everything that is wonderful about an apple pie. 

You can go the easy route and buy refrigerator pie crusts.  But where the fun in that?  Martha Stewart’s Pate Brisee is fantastic and you’ll have beautiful results with your Apple Dumplings.  I’ll put the recipe for that after the Dumpling recipe.

 

MIRANDA’S APPLE DUMPLINGS

Syrup:

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 cups water

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 cup butter

Apple Filling:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 T. butter, soft

8 medium granny Smith Apples, peeled & cored

2 (15 oz) pkgs. refrigerator pie crusts

Miranda Hoggendobber (Edie McClurg)

Combine sugar, water, cinnamon & nutmeg in medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat,  stirring constantly.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup butter.  Set syrup aside.

Combine apple filling ingredients in a small mixing bowl.  Mix with a fork until you have a crumb consistency.  Cut each pie crust in half.  Form each half into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface.  Roll into 8-inch circles.  Place each apple onto the center of each circle and fill the empty core with the crumb filling.  Fold  the dough over the apple, pinching at the top to seal.  Place apples in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.  Drizzle with the syrup.  Bake at 375-degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.  Apple Dump.ikngs can be served with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

 

Harry & Miranda at the Post Office

Pate Brisee

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces

1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Pate Brisee

In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour and salt; pulse to combine. Add the butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces remaining, about 10 seconds. (To mix by hand, combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then cut in butter with a pastry blender.)

 With the machine running, add the ice water through the feed tube in a slow, steady stream, just until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky. Do not process more than 30 seconds. Test by squeezing a small amount of the dough together; if it is still too crumbly, add a bit more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

 

Turn out the dough onto a clean work surface. Divide in half, and place each half on a piece of plastic wrap. Shape into flattened disks. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight. The dough can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

 

Mrs. Murphy's Friend, Hezekiah

Ready to try Susan’s Virginia Ham and Biscuits now?  Miranda says they’re the BEST in all of Virginia!

SUSAN’S BEST VIRGINIA HAM & BISCUITS

1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

2 cups buttermilk

5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 tablespoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup shortening

Mustard Butter

2 pounds thinly sliced cooked ham

Susan's Virginia Ham & Biscuits

Combine yeast and 1/2 cup warm water in a 4-cup liquid

measuring cup, and let mixture stand 5 minutes. Stir in buttermilk.

Combine flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; cut in shortening with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk mixture, stirring with a fork just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface, and knead 4 to 5 times.

Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness; cut with a 2-inch round cutter, and place on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85 degrees), free from drafts, 1 hour.

Bake at 425 for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Split each biscuit, and spread evenly with Mustard Butter. Stuff biscuits with ham.

MUSTARD BUTTER

1 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons minced sweet onion

2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard

Stir together all ingredients until blended.