Dinner en homage Helen Mirren

The Madness of King George (1993)

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989)

Prime Suspect (TV Series 1992-2006)

The delightfully schizophrenic menu below actually has a method to its madness; namely, dishes and drinks inspired by the many, many memorable characters created by this astonishing actress and continual inspiration to Cafe Drake. It is hard to name other actresses of her generation who have brought to life so many varied heroines we adore and admire (and where's the fun in a dinner based on the admitedly glorious careers of Meryl Streep or Francis McDormand? Loving both but not as exceptionally as Dame Mirren).

POISSON SABOYAN

Inspired by the glorious hedonistic cuisine extolled throughout Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, this is a regal first course to store away for only your most formal dining occasions.

1. Lightly poach 4 servings of salmon filets in vegetable broth. You may add a slice or two of lemon to the broth if desired. Covered in shallow pan, the fish should take no more than 10 minutes to cook completely. DO NOT allow the liquid to ever to a boil, and remove after 5 minutes if a medium-rare fish is to your taste.
   
2. Remove salmon to a covered dish and keep warm.


3. Beat one whole egg and one yolk; gradually beat in 2 tablespoons of sugar.


4. Set the dish over hot water, add the grated rind of an orange, one-third a cup of orange juice and one tablespoon of lemon juice.


5. Continue beating while the sauce thickens.


6. When thick as a boiled custard, remove to a dish of cold water, to stop the cooking. Season very sparsely with salt.


7. Place warmed fish on a warmed plate and nestle a dollop of the sauce beside it.

ROASTED BEEF

From the days of King George III, serve with a Yorkshire Pudding made from the drippings, or roasted new potatoes and sauteed stringbeans.

1 4-5 lb. beef round tip roast /2 cloves garlic, crushed / 1 teaspoon salt /1 teaspoon cracked black pepper / 1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Combine Seasoning ingredients and press evenly into the beef tip roast.



2. Place beef tip roast on a rack in shallow roasting pan. Do not add water and do not cover.



3. Roast for 25 to 35 minutes for medium rare to medium.



4. A meat thermometer (if you don't have one, this is a valuable kitchen tool worth purchasing) inserted in thickest part should read 140° for medium rare, 155° for medium. Let roast stand 15 minutes. (Temperature will rise about 5°.) Slice and serve with vegetables of choice.

Follow with a dessert of simply strong black coffee and plenty of good single malt Scotch in honor of hard-drinking and hard-working Chief Detective Inspector Jane Tennyson.