Joan Crawford's Meatloaf! (and other things)

 I won't bore you with a lot of folderol (you can watch the video for that) but suffice to say that Dr. Husband provided me with exactly what I wanted for my birthday, and entire day devoted to Joan Crawford.  

 

After movie time came dinner, the centerpiece of which was meatloaf made from Miss Crawford's own recipe.  Accompanied by Limestone salad, and for dessert, an effervescent mid-century-inspired orange creamsicle poke cake. Recipes below, then stay tuned for Dr. Husband cooking!

 

KENTUCKY LIMESTONE SALAD

1 pound bib lettuce, washed & gently torn into pieces
1 recipe Kentucky Limestone Salad Dressing - below
Put lettuce in salad bowl and chill thoroughly. Pour dressing over lettuce and gently toss and blend well. Serves 4.

Dressing:
1 clove garlic, put through press or minced
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
About 1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon salad mustard
1/4 cup pear vinegar (other vinegar's may be used - we used tarragon)
1/2 cup salad oil
Combine all ingredients and shake well in jar. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Shake again just before pouring over lettuce.

ORANGE CREAMSICLE CAKE

1 box white cake mix

3 eggs

1 can orange soda

1/4 c oil

1 3 oz. pkg  orange-flavored gelatin

3/4 c boiling water

1 c cold water

1 jar vanilla frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prep a 9x13-inch pan with non-stick spray.

Prepare the cake mix in a large mixing bowl, using eggs, orange soda and oil.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until cake springs back when lightly touched and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cool completely. Using a wooden chopstick, poke small holes through to the bottom of the pan, all over the cake.

In a small bowl, dissolve a box of orange gelatin with boiling water, mix well. Add cold water and mix well.

Slowly pour the orange gelatin mixture over the cake, making sure that the mixture gets into all the holes.

Cover and chill for 2 to 4 hours.

Frost the cake.