Marilyn Monroe's Secret Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

We've all heard the old adage "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." And all we know Marilyn Monroe liked it hot--just check out her the steamy rendition of Happy Birthday.

But who would have thought that the glamorous film star actually did toil over a hot stove?

We are taking a brief break from ginger today to acknowledge Thanksgiving, this wondrous American observance of gustation and gratitude.  As we contemplated what to share on this momentous occasion, we came across the rather shocking news that American icon Marilyn Monroe (she keeps popping up, doesn't she?) was a real cook.  Thanks to friend Dana Hall for sending us the fascinating New York Times article on Marilyn's stuffing recipe--just in time for this week's feast.  Here's a link to the full article, which contains a more legible version of the recipe.

Marilyn's Handwritten Stuffing Recipe c. 1955

The ingredient list, which includes pine nuts, raisins and Parmesan cheese suggests a nod to then-husband Joe DiMaggio's Sicilian heritage.  The complexity of the process,  the sketchiness of the instructions, and the imprecise amounts written in her own hand suggest that Marilyn knew what she was doing and only needed rudimentary notes to execute the  recipe. 

Wonder what else she knew.....