Elaine Raines has been the librarian at the Arizona Daily Star for almost 30 years. While she does not claim to be a historian, she does have access to a treasure trove of great historical information.
"Tales from the Morgue" is a way to share some of that information with readers.
If you have an idea for a tale from Tucson's past that you would like to share, please e-mail morguetales@ azstarnet.com.
Years before she became Mrs. Paul McCartney and obviously before she became a vegetarian, Linda McCartney, aka Mrs. J. Melville See Jr., was featured in an Arizona Daily Star column called “Everybody Cooks.” Mrs. See presented her favorite menu for entertaining friends: Meat Loaf, Cucumber Mousse and Orange Bavarian Creme.
Sheaffer file photo Linda and Heather preparing a meal in 1965.
The article published on Jan. 11, 1965, said Mrs. See, whose first name was never included in the article, was an accomplished cook. She especially liked these three recipes because the ingredients were available all year round.
In addition to cooking, Mrs. See was a student at the UA majoring in art history and the mother of a little girl, Heather, who was then almost two years old.
Here is the Meat Loaf recipe:
Linda McCartney’s Meat Loaf recipe
3 pounds meat loaf mix (veal, beef, pork)
3/4 pint sour cream
2 large onions, cubed
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons monosodium glutamate
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup worcestershire sauce
2 to 3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 cup katsup
Saute onions in butter until golden brown. Mix the above ingredients, including onions, in a large bowl. Mold into a meatloaf shape in a large ungreased pan.
Combine 1 (1-pound 12 ounce) can of Italian tomatoes, 1 pint tomato juice and 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste. Pour over meatloaf.
Cook about 2 hours in a 375-400 degree oven. Until sauce is thick.
1978 Star photo The McCartney’s fled from a photographer during their Tucson stay in 1978.
Within a few years, Mrs. See was divorced. She married Paul McCartney in 1969. Although they seemed to have been chased away from Tucson in 1978, the McCartney’s did return and purchased property here in 1979.
Linda McCartney died here in 1998. She had breast cancer.
Thank you, Elaine. That was such a treat. The photos are beautiful, too. My friends and I who loved Linda and Paul (still do!) would really cherish seeing any other archived articles and photos of them from those happier days. All The Best, Gail in Kent
As a collector of pictures of Linda (and by Linda too), this was a treat! Thank you, thank you, thank you! PLEASE share if you find any more articles like this! All the best, Heloisa from Brazil
Thank you, Elaine. That was such a treat. The photos are beautiful, too. My friends and I who loved Linda and Paul (still do!) would really cherish seeing any other archived articles and photos of them from those happier days. All The Best, Gail in Kent
— Gail Smith 11/08/2008 05:15 AM #
As a collector of pictures of Linda (and by Linda too), this was a treat! Thank you, thank you, thank you! PLEASE share if you find any more articles like this! All the best, Heloisa from Brazil
— Heloisa Ferreira 11/09/2008 07:20 AM #
Enjoyed the nice photos, but please can’t the series be marketed as something more positive than “Tales from the Morgue”?
— Patti 11/09/2008 09:24 AM #
Linda looks so beautiful in this photo. Thanks for sharing with us all.
— Jan 11/13/2008 01:41 PM #
Thanks for the story on Linda McCartney!
— Donna 11/16/2008 09:41 AM #