Rod Taylor, in the Kitchen FRANK AGRETTI'S SCALLOP PIE The following recipe is included in the "Soap's On" cookbook (compiled by Diedre Hall. Published by Peanut Butter Publishing,1990). The recipe is signed by Rod, during his days as Frank Agretti on "Falcon Crest." 8 ocean scallops 3 medium-size russet potatoes 1 large white onion 6 medium-size mushrooms 1/2 cup flour 3 tablespoons sherry 1 cup frozen petite peas 2 tablespoons chopped parsley Salt, pepper, margarine (Butter, if your cholesterol's low) Half & Half 1 glass of a nice Beaujolais -- village or fleurie Peel and slice potatoes and boil till tender for mashing. Mash with two tablespoons of margarine and a dash of Half & Half. Season with salt and plenty of pepper. Whip tilll stiff, creamy texture. Set aside. Have a little drink of your Beaujolais. Slice and dice the onion. Slice the mushrooms into 1/8-inch slivers. Cut the scallops, if decent size, into quarters. Melt two tablespoons margarine in a fry pan, add the onions and saute over medim-low flame till tender without browning. Add the sliced mushrooms, saute til barely brown. Now, stirring constantly, pour in the three tablespoons of sherry, dribble in the Half & Half and the flour, a little at a time, until you have a creamy mixture. Now, stir in your scallops and the cup of peas and remove from heat. Transfer your mixture from the pan to an oven-proof pie dish. To make it easier to lay on your potato topping, it is a good idea to cool the pie mixture, even put in in the freezer for 10 or 15 minutes. So, while it is cooling... have another sip of Beaujolais. Finally, take it from the freezer. Fold over and cover the pie ingredients with the mashed potatoes, nice and thick. Criss-cross the potatoes with a fork, leaving nice high ridges and little peaks for browning. While it is baking in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until your tatie ridges look nice and brown.... finish your glass of wine. Retrieve from the oven, sprinkle with parsley. Serves four. CHINESE CHICKEN The following recipe, attributed to Rod Taylor, is included in the "Murder, She Wrote Cookbook" (edited by Tom Culver and Nancy Goodman Iland. Published by Chicago Review Press Inc.,1997): 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup sesame oil 1 teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger, about 1/2 inch 1 tablespoon cornstarch 6 to 8 chicken legs and/or thighs, washed 1/4 cup peanut oil 1 cup chicken stock 1/4 yellow onion, sliced 1 cup chopped broccoli 1 cup chopped mushrooms 1 green bell pepper, chopped 8 asparagus spears 2 carrots, julienned Cilantro and scallions to garnish In a medium bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, oyster sauce, garlic and ginger. Add the cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water to thicken the marinade. Place the chicken pieces in the bowl and mix to coat well. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Remove the chicken pieces and reserve the marinade. Saute the chicken in the peanut oil in a large skillet or wok. When browned, add the chicken stock and enough water to barely cover the chicken. Add the onion and reserved marinade and simmer for 15 minutes. When nearly ready to serve, add the broccoli, mushrooms, green pepper, asparagus and carrots. Be sure not to overcook the vegetables. Garnish with chopped cilantro and scallions. Makes 4-6 servings.

ANOTHER SPECIALTY From Rod Taylor's earliest appearances in American fan magazines, he's been hailed as a good cook. Here's a taste: Rod prides himself on his cookery. "An Australian bachelor can always cook," he says. The specialty of his maison is what the English call Greek Lamb, which is a lamb leg stuffed with cheese and garlic, basted with wine and served with a wine sauce in which are green and black olives. -- Photoplay magazine, July 1961 LINKS Falcon Crest: Read about Rod's role on the show. Murder, She Wrote: Read about Rod's guest appearances on the show. Actor as Artist: More of Taylor's talents.

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