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Writer's pictureBrian Theis

Janet Leigh's Tropical Fruit Salad

Janet Leigh is best known for her iconic performance as Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 horror masterpiece, "Psycho." When she wasn't busy fighting off knife-wielding killers in the shower, Janet was cooking up light and lovely (and boozy) recipes like this Tropical Fruit Salad with Daiquiri Dressing. Jane's recipe might look something like this:

Here's Janet earlier in her career, a bit calmer than she was in the shower at the Bates Motel.

JANET LEIGH'S

Tropical Fruit Salad with Daiquiri Dressing


For the Daiquiri dressing:


1/3 cup corn oil

1/2 tsp. grated lime peel

1 1/2 tbsps. lime juice

1 1/2 tbsps. rum

1/2 tsp. salt

Dash of sugar


Combine all ingredients and blend well. Set aside. Makes about 1/2 cup dressing.


For the salad:


1 head iceberg lettuce

1 large orange

2 bananas

1 papaya

4 slices fresh (or canned) pineapple

Brown sugar


Core, rinse and thoroughly drain lettuce. Refrigerate in disposable plastic bag (or plastic crisper). Pare and section orange. Peel bananas, cut in halves lengthwise, then in halves crosswise. Cut papaya in half, remove seeds and peel fruit. Cut in thick slices. Arrange fruits in shallow pan. Pour Daiquiri dressing over fruit. Let it marinate about an hour. Just before serving, drain off dressing and reserve. Sprinkle fruit lightly with brown sugar. Broil about 4 inches from heat about 5 minutes (or until lightly browned). Meanwhile, cut 4 crosswise sections from lettuce and arrange on individual salad plates. Arrange warm broiled fruit on lettuce rafts. Spoon reserved dressing over all. Serves 4.


Thoughts: If desired, a few drops of rum extract may be substituted for the rum.

_________________________


But for his menu of milk and a ham sandwich, Norman might have brought Marion a refreshing plate of Janet's Tropical Fruit Salad with Daiquiri Dressing . . .

Who can say? If she'd only had that fruit salad instead of a sandwich, things might have gone a bit differently . . .

If you're "looking for a private island," cook up some of Janet's tasty tropical salad today!

_________________________


Janet's recipe appeared in Johna Blinn's Celebrity Cookbook, 1981, including an interview and bio of Janet below.


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