Elvira on drag queens, Vincent Price, and her new cookbook from hell

As Elvira, Cassandra Peterson became a true icon, headlining comedies like Elvira: Mistress of Darkness And The Haunted Hills of Elvirahosting hordes of B-movie television presentations, appearing in comic books and much more. Now, Peterson resurrects his vampire daughter Valley to Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell, a charming coffee table book that features gothic recipes, glossy photos, making guides, and very Elvira-esque hosting etiquette.

Peterson came to Mashable’s Say More couch for an interview with entertainment editor Kristy Puchko. Together, they dive into all things Elvira, including her new cookbook, how her dear (deceased) friend and fellow horror icon Vincent Price was an inspiration, and drag queens.

Have a guest judged on RuPaul’s Drag Race “Monster Ball” and Dragula from the Boulet brothers: Titans “Halloween House Party” Peterson was happy to make a connection between her character Elvira and the queens. “I do everything drag queens do,” she said of her goth goddess look, “except ‘tuck’!”

Peterson also explained how Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell has been a dream project for thirty years, dating back to the rise of Martha Stewart. Loving to cook and host herself, Peterson began pitching a cookbook for the goth audience — but publishers didn’t bite. They didn’t understand the vision she had, not for a Halloween-specific cookbook, but for one that brings gothic flair and Elvira’s fiery sense of humor to every occasion, from a graveside picnic to a spooky cocktail party to a ghoulish chic wedding with a tiered cake. (Please note the Black Widow Smashes that Puchko tested and tasted in preparation for the interview.)

Puchko, who has long delved into Price’s cookbooks, wonders if he was an inspiration for a particular cucumber-based recipe in Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell. From there, Peterson recounted how Price was the originator of a recipe that didn’t make it into the final version of her book, but that she cherishes nonetheless. Do you dare to try?

Watch our full Say More video to learn more about Elvira, Peterson’s cookbook, and how you’re not getting the most out of a dishwasher unless you’re using it to steam your dish.

Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell is now on sale.