Zuzu's life hasn't exactly been a pocketful of petals.
Zuzu who?Zuzu Bailey . . . the youngest daughter of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) in the Frank Capra film classic, "It's a Wonderful Life."
Her character, named after a popular '40s cookie, "Zu Zu's Crackers," is best remembered as the tow-headed child in Stewart's arms during the movie's final scene - in front of the Christmas tree.
Zuzu's innocent statement, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings," has become part of holiday lore since the film was released.
And 50 years later, Karolyn Grimes, the woman who played 6-year-old Zuzu Bailey, has gained a renewed popularity. She appears before ever-increasing crowds; and travels throughout the country as a goodwill ambassador for the still-popular film and its positive theme.
Grimes attributes the large throngs at her public appearances to "people's memories of a little girl in a movie."
She's also stretched her renewed "stardom" into singing engagements, sales of memorabilia (autographed angels and bells) and writing. Most recently, Grimes has penned a cookbook in collaboration with Franklin Dohanyos, a Michigan PR director.
"Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook" contains 184 pages of nostalgia: photos, quotes and anecdotes inspired by the movie.
Grimes' recollections add depth to the already-heartwarming story about the importance of every person's life. But the book's main focus are the recipes - as any good cookbook should be. Almost magically, the collection of good ol' home cookin' takes on a richer flavor after being wrapped in reminiscence.
The now-mature Zuzu speaks to the cookbook collector in each of us with a subliminal, version of her angel wing speech. After several glances through the book, we began to hear a haunting, modified message . . . "Every time a kitchen timer rings . . ."
The uncomplicated recipes have clever Bedford Falls-related names such as "I Love You Truly Artichoke Heart Dip" and "Ma Bailey's Holiday Spinach Delight." We also like the "Potter the Crab Cakes."
Q&A footnotes included on each page are as tantalizing as the recipes. We viewed "Wonderful Life" for the many-eth time in an attempt to sharpen our trivia retention; still, we were unable to answer many of the queries. Test your memory:
Q: What organization did George belong to as a young man?
A: The National Geographic Society.
Q: What did young Violet Bick order at Gower's drugstore?
A: Two cents worth of shoelaces (licorice).
Q: What was Clarence Oddbody's profession on Earth?
A. Clockmaker.
Beverage recipes include many alcoholic offerings, including a couple of real whammies obviously influenced by old man Gower (in his pre-teetotaler era).
But you'll find several family oriented drinks: "Clarence Oddbody's Old-Fashioned Mulled Cider" (leave out the rose water); and a cranberry/apple creation called "Cousin Tillie's Fruity-Fizz Punch."
In "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook," memorable quotes precede each food category. Argentina Brunetti, the actress who played Mrs. Martini, recalls producer-director Frank Capra's influence on the film:
"Capra was so into the entire picture! He seemed to live each moment as it was being acted out, laughing or crying with the mood of the scene. I remember watching him very closely during the filming of the last scene. He was mouthing the words of every line with all the sentiment of the actors, and tears were rolling down his face. I think he truly believed in the film and the premise that guardian angels really do exist."
The remaining cookbook sections are filled with numerous no-nonsense recipes. Among the catchier dishes are: "Potter's Full-of-Hot-Air Black Bean Soup," "Under-the-Bridge Tuna Salad," "South Pacific Honeymoon Chicken," and "She's a Peach" cobbler.
Grimes wasn't just a "one-film wonder." She played roles in some of the best films of the '40s and early '50s, including "The Bishop's Wife," whose remake, "The Preacher's Wife," is currently playing in theaters.
But her movie career, which encompassed 16 films, dwindled after age 8 when her mother became ill. Her mother passed away when she was 14; just a year later, her father was killed in an auto accident.
The remaining years of her youth were difficult. She was shipped off to live with strict relatives in Missouri. Leaving a Los Angeles high school with 900 in her class and moving to the tiny town of Osceola with a total of 800 residents wasn't easy.
Through the years Grimes, in true George Bailey spirit, endured discouragement and even more tragedy - the suicide of her son and the cancer death of her second husband.
Zuzu, as Grimes calls her "alter ego," has stood on that desolate Bedford Falls bridge, struggling with her own life's challenges - ultimately choosing to find herself in the inspiring themes of "It's a Wonderful Life."
"Everywhere I go, people share their stories with me," she says. "It's a privilege being part of their lives."
So break out the video, open the cookbook, and let Zuzu Bailey take you on a tasty tour of Bedford Falls.
*****
Recipes
MA BAILEY'S HOLIDAY SPINACH DELIGHT
1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1 small package Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing mix
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients; mix well. Chill and serve with favorite crackers, bread sticks or torn pieces of French bread. Serves 10 to 12.
- Each serving contains 193 calories, 22g fat, 3g carb, 190 mg sodium, 13 mg cholesterol, 92% calories from fat.
- From "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook" by Karo-lyn Grimes
BUFFALO GALS BEEF STROGANOFF
1 pound stewing beef, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups water
1 beef bouillon cube
2 tablespoons catsup
1/2 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 8-ounce can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 medium onion, chopped fine
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup water
1 cup sour cream
Cooked noodles, as desired
In a large heavy pan, over medium heat, brown meat in butter on all sides. Add water, bouillon cube, catsup, mustard, garlic and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 to 11/2 hours, stirring occasionally. (More water may be added, if necessary.) Add mushrooms and onion and simmer for 10 minutes. Shake flour and water in a tightly closed container; stir gradually into beef mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thicker. Stir in sour cream and stir until hot and creamy. Serve over cooked noodles. Serves 4.
- Each serving contains 724 calories, 26g fat, 37g carb, 514mg sodium, 133 mg cholesterol, 32% calories from fat.
- From "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook" by Karolyn Grimes
SOUTH PACIFIC HONEYMOON CHICKEN
1 pound boneless chicken breast, skinned
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 medium green bell pepper, cut into pieces
1/2 medium sweet red bell pepper, cut into pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
2 8-ounce cans pineapple, undrained
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Cooked rice
Cut chicken into strips. In an electric wok or skillet, melt butter and saute chicken and peppers only until chicken turns color. Add salt and pepper, pineapple with liquid, water, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce and ginger. Stir fry until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Shake cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a tightly closed container. Gradually stir into chicken mixture until desired thickness is reached. Serve over cooked rice. Serves 4.
- Each serving contains 478 calories, 20g fat, 46 g carb, 643 mg sodium, 72 mg cholesterol, 37% calories from fat.
- From "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook" by Karolyn Grimes
POOR IN POTTERSVILLE VEGETABLE LASAGNA
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, chopped fine
11/2 cups carrot, finely chopped
11/2 cups cream
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons flour
1 16-ounce package frozen broccoli pieces, thawed
2 cups ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 lasagna noodles, cooked
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, saute onions, garlic and carrot in olive oil until tender. Add cream, seasonings and flour. Cook over low heat until thickened. Stir in broccoli. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, parsley and 1/3 of the mozzarella. Layer noodles on bottom of pan (4 noodles), spread 1/3 of ricotta mixture, sprinkle with 1/3 of mozarella. Repeat twice more. Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for about 11/4 to 11/2 hours, until bubbly. Let cool awhile before serving. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
- Each serving contains 361 calories, 22g fat, 22g carb, 369 mg sodium, 75 mg cholesterol, 53% calories from fat.
- From "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook" by Kar-olyn Grimes
MRS. REINMANN'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
For cake:
1 4-ounce bar sweet cooking chocolate
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
4 egg yolks
11/4 teaspoons vanilla
21/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
4 egg whites, well beaten
For frosting:
1 cup sugar
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 stick butter or margarine
3 egg yolks
11/4 teaspoons vanilla
11/4 cups flaked coconut
1 cup pecans, chopped fine
To prepare cake batter:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small mixing bowl, dissolve chocolate bar in boiling water; let cool. In a large mixing bowl, mix sugar and butter with mixer until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, on low speed. Beat in dissolved chocolate and vanilla on low speed. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt and milk, one item at a time until batter is smooth. Carefully fold in egg whites. Pour batter into two well-greased 9 X 9 X 2-inch baking pans. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for about 40 minutes in the pan. Place one layer on a serving plate. Put a layer of frosting, then add top layer. Frost top and serve. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
To prepare frosting:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook sugar, milk, butter, egg yolks and vanilla. Cook until thick, stirring occasionally. Stir in coconut and pecans. Beat with spoon until thick enough for frosting.
- Each serving contains 764 calories, 42 g fat, 95 g carb, 490 mg sodium, 196 mg cholesterol, 48% calories from fat.
- From "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life cookbook" by Karolyn Grimes
GINGERBREAD
1 stick butter or margarine, room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
21/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup molasses
1 cup hot water
Whipped cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, sugars and beaten egg. Beat until creamy with mixer at low speed, about 1 minute. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and spices. In a small bowl, dilute molasses in hot water. Gradually add molasses and dry ingredients to mixture alternating between the two; mixing well after each addition.
Pour the batter into a lightly greased and floured 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. If desired, serve with a dollop of whipped cream. Makes 12 servings.
- Each serving contains 274 calories, 8 g fat, 48 g carb, 255 mg sodium, 21 mg cholesterol, 26% calories from fat.
- From "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook" by Karolyn Grimes