This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
I recently read the most fascinating article about the life of President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter. Unlike many former presidents, the Carter’s weren’t interested in a life of fame and fortune when their White House days came to an end. They wanted a simple life, so they returned to their roots in Plains, Georgia. It was in Plains where both he and his wife grew up, raised a family and farmed peanuts. This recipe for Peanut Soup is the epitome of their simple life. It’s surprisingly tasty and incredibly easy to make, consisting primarily of pantry ingredients. First Lady Rosalynn Carter was known for serving local flavor at the White House. She wanted to give her guests a taste of Southern cooking. And this peanut soup was one item on the menu that packed the taste of the South, particularly simple life in Plains, Georgia. Ingredients 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 2 1/4 cups milk 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup 1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts Directions Saute onion in butter until soft but not brown in large saucepan. Stir in peanut butter and cook slowly, stirring several times, 1 to 2 …
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was the master gardner? Everything in this delicious pasta salad (minus the pasta) could be found in his own garden.
First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s recipe for fudge was published soon after she became First Lady in 1953. The fudge recipe was an immediate hit with American families. It consequently became dubbed “Mamie’s Million Dollar Fudge.” It’s simple to make, and as the recipe states, it’s better the next day! INGREDIENTS 4 and 1/2 cups sugar Pinch salt 2 tablespoons butter 1 tall (12 oz.) can evaporated milk 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate bits 12 oz. German-sweet chocolate 1 pint marshmallow cream 2 cups chopped nuts DIRECTIONS Boil the sugar, salt, butter, and evaporated milk together for six minutes. Put chocolate bits, German chocolate, marshmallow cream, and nutmeats in a bowl. Pour the boiling syrup over the ingredients. Beat until chocolate is all melted, then pour in pan. Let stand a few hours before cutting. Remember it is better the second day. Store in a tin box. Author: Andrea Former news reporter and Capitol Hill press guru, wife, mom, and pastry addict. Twitter Facebook
I’m a sucker for a good chocolate chip cookie. I’ve also become a bit of a cookie “snob” over the years and am extremely picky about what I like. They can’t be too crisp, too flat, too dense, or too sweet. I need the perfect balance. George W. Bush’s Cowboy Cookie is it. This week, I hosted a book club at my house (for my favorite book about this man) and had a whole line up of presidential foods. I had JFK’s fish chowder, Teddy Roosevelt’s clove cake, Barbara Bush’s mushroom quiche and her pecan pie, etc. I enjoyed every single one of them. But my very favorite food from that entire night was George W. Bush’s Cowboy Cookies. I don’t know if they were named after GW or if the name existed before they became a GW favorite? No idea. But, I do know that these cookies were perfection. Maybe it was the addition of both coconuts and oats to a classic, or maybe it was the crunchy and slightly salty cornflakes? Whatever it was, I’m telling you, these cookies were fabulous and totally hit the spot (thanks to my friend Amy for making them)! They were the perfect balance …
First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s recipe for fudge was published soon after she became First Lady in 1953. The fudge recipe was an immediate hit with American families. It consequently became dubbed “Mamie’s Million Dollar Fudge.” It’s simple to make, and as the recipe states, it’s better the next day! INGREDIENTS 4 and 1/2 cups sugar Pinch salt 2 tablespoons butter 1 tall (12 oz.) can evaporated milk 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate bits 12 oz. German-sweet chocolate 1 pint marshmallow cream 2 cups chopped nuts DIRECTIONS Boil the sugar, salt, butter, and evaporated milk together for six minutes. Put chocolate bits, German chocolate, marshmallow cream, and nutmeats in a bowl. Pour the boiling syrup over the ingredients. Beat until chocolate is all melted, then pour in pan. Let stand a few hours before cutting. Remember it is better the second day. Store in a tin box. Author: Andrea Former news reporter and Capitol Hill press guru, wife, mom, and pastry addict. Twitter Facebook
Laura Bush’s Texas Buttermilk Coconut Pie topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut is a classic Southern recipe and a favorite of the former First Lady. Mrs. Bush is said to be one of the most thoughtful, hospitable First Ladies– always paying special attention to every detail to make guests and staff feel important. This Texas Buttermilk Coconut Pie recipe was shared first hand by the First Lady to members of her staff and it’s popularity quickly spread. In fact, it can be found all over the Internet these days, including this website (where I presume it was originally shared), ran by a former White House social secretary during the Bush administration. Her insight into Mrs. Bush’s personality is inspiring. “Laura Bush was very popular among the White House staff because she always remembered to thank people for the job they were doing. It made them even more loyal and willing to pitch in when things became hectic. She would invite her East Wing staff up to the family dining room on a regular basis for lunch, complete with menucards, lovely centerpieces and careful seating arrangements. It made me realize how thoughtfulness can be a very potent leadership skill. And another thing about Laura Bush – …
This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
I’m a sucker for a good chocolate chip cookie. I’ve also become a bit of a cookie “snob” over the years and am extremely picky about what I like. They can’t be too crisp, too flat, too dense, or too sweet. I need the perfect balance. George W. Bush’s Cowboy Cookie is it. This week, I hosted a book club at my house (for my favorite book about this man) and had a whole line up of presidential foods. I had JFK’s fish chowder, Teddy Roosevelt’s clove cake, Barbara Bush’s mushroom quiche and her pecan pie, etc. I enjoyed every single one of them. But my very favorite food from that entire night was George W. Bush’s Cowboy Cookies. I don’t know if they were named after GW or if the name existed before they became a GW favorite? No idea. But, I do know that these cookies were perfection. Maybe it was the addition of both coconuts and oats to a classic, or maybe it was the crunchy and slightly salty cornflakes? Whatever it was, I’m telling you, these cookies were fabulous and totally hit the spot (thanks to my friend Amy for making them)! They were the perfect balance …
Nancy Reagan lays claim on this recipe– at least according to a National Archives handout card with this recipe and her signature on it. Though even her own children have reported that she never cooked (“Nancy? We didn’t let her boil water,” recalled Michael Reagan). However, she and this recipe have become quite the talked-about pumpkin pie alternative in the White House kitchen. So, if you’re looking for a mouth watering alternative to plain ol’ pumpkin pie– or even pecan pie for that matter– this one will easily do the trick. In fact, it’s kind of addicting, as a fair warning. Even better, it’s incredibly easy to whip together. INGREDIENTS 4 eggs 2 cups pumpkin (canned or fresh) 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup dark corn syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 unbaked (9-inch) pie shell 1 cup chopped pecans DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except pecans. Pour into pie shell. Top with pecans. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until set. Author: Andrea Former news reporter and Capitol Hill press guru, wife, mom, and pastry addict. Twitter Facebook
This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
I’m a sucker for a good chocolate chip cookie. I’ve also become a bit of a cookie “snob” over the years and am extremely picky about what I like. They can’t be too crisp, too flat, too dense, or too sweet. I need the perfect balance. George W. Bush’s Cowboy Cookie is it. This week, I hosted a book club at my house (for my favorite book about this man) and had a whole line up of presidential foods. I had JFK’s fish chowder, Teddy Roosevelt’s clove cake, Barbara Bush’s mushroom quiche and her pecan pie, etc. I enjoyed every single one of them. But my very favorite food from that entire night was George W. Bush’s Cowboy Cookies. I don’t know if they were named after GW or if the name existed before they became a GW favorite? No idea. But, I do know that these cookies were perfection. Maybe it was the addition of both coconuts and oats to a classic, or maybe it was the crunchy and slightly salty cornflakes? Whatever it was, I’m telling you, these cookies were fabulous and totally hit the spot (thanks to my friend Amy for making them)! They were the perfect balance …
This isn’t just any cake. This is Election Cake– Abraham Lincoln’s Election Cake. And it goes way back— I’m talking all the way back to the 13 original colonies kind of ‘way back.’ In the early days of our country, Election Day was a massive holiday celebrated on par with Christmas. Women celebrated by making Election Cake in massive amounts to encourage men to vote (since women couldn’t yet vote themselves) and participate in town hall meetings. Do your civic duty, get a slice of cake! There are many different versions of Election Cake. This is Abraham Lincoln’s version. But all versions are essentially a cross between yeast bread and cake. It’s similar to a fruit cake with a sourdough base, spices, and bourbon soaked fruit. If you don’t dig bourbon, you can soak the fruit in orange juice and vanilla instead. The fruit is also interchangeable– use raisins, currents, diced apples or dates– whatever you’ve got. Either way, you’ll be tasting a piece of election day history. Now, go rock the vote– and then have a slice of Abraham Lincoln’s Election Cake! Ingredients 1 cup currants, soaked overnight in a tightly closed jar in 1/2 cup brandy 1 TBS sugar 3/4 cup scalded milk 1 yeast …
This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
This Zucchini Soup recipe from First Lady Barbara Bush was included. It's easy to see why it was one of her favorites.
If you’re from most places around the country, a piece of fried dough is simply known as fry bread. But if you’re from Utah, fried dough is curiously known as scones. We’re not talking the biscuit-like textured ones you’d find in England. These scones are light and fluffy — a perfectly puffed-up pillow of dough, drenched in honey butter, maple syrup or jam, or sprinkled with powdered sugar. What do these scones have to do with Utah? Well, these little pieces of fried, delicious wonder, are also nicknamed “Mormon scones.” For those of you not up to par on your Mormon history, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormons”) is headquartered in Utah, and more than 2 million residents of the Beehive State are members of the “Mormon” religion. As for the term “Mormon scone,” one scholar who researched the topic believes it may come from the fact so many Mormon settlers were from the British isles. Those settlers simply “took a generic term for biscuit and applied it to breads that looked, smelled, felt, tasted or cooked up anything at all like the original British scone.” Scones are so popular in Utah, there’s even a restaurant called Sconecutter that specializes in these delightful pieces of fried …
