Cary Grant and Spaghetti with Meat sauce

"You found out everything else about me; my barber, my haberdasher, my laundress and last year's girlfriend."

This was Cary Grant's response to Betsy Drake in the 1948 movie, "Every Girl Should Be Married."  I am not surprised I never heard of it, I stopped to watch a little because it was Cary Grant.  And, Cary Grant's character has a haberdasher, the equivalent of a milliner for men.  He was married to Betsy Drake for a while and they made at least two movies together.  

This movie is a bit tiresome, starting with the title.  However, there are a lot of 1940 style hats that are worth watching for.  Especially in one scene when he is giving a talk to a group of women.  That's about all I could take.  Betsy Drake's character did everything but cook Cary Grant's character spaghetti with meat sauce to get him to marry her!

Ah, spaghetti with meat sauce, such a homey, family style dish. 

Spaghetti with Meat sauce

serves 4-6 people


3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small fennel bulb, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 lbs. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground pork
1/2 cup red wine
3 red bell peppers, roasted in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes, peeled, seeded and pureed
1 tablespoon sweet marjoram, chopped
3 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped fine
salt & pepper to taste
1 lb. gluten-free quinoa spaghetti(Ancient Harvest brand is very good)
Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated


In a large heavy bottomed sauce-pan, saute the fennel in the olive oil until soft, add the carrots and garlic and cook together for a few minutes.  Add the beef and pork and saute until browned.  Pour in the wine, cook for a minute, then add the bell pepper puree, sweet marjoram and parsley.  Taste the sauce and season with salt & pepper.  Simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.  

Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water with a tsp. of olive oil added until al dente. I always cook the minimum time recommended. Top with the meat sauce and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

And cheers to Cary Grant's haberdasher for always making him look so dashing...

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