I recently visited the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and family home in Abilene, KS. I was amazed to learn that Eisenhower's mother had some college education. The guide recounted the fact that every year she canned about 700 jars from the family's extensive garden. As she had six boys, she insisted all of them learn to cook and sew.
I have heard that beaten biscuits were a relic from having slaves - who else would beat them with a heavy object for 30 minutes? Not an axe, but a heavy skillet. The biscuits supposedly blister. I keep swearing I’m going try to make that with a few friends so we can take turns at the beating stage…..
He was also known for his steak cooking technique - although he did not invent it, it is often referred to as an Eisenhower steak: https://www.cooksinfo.com/eisenhower-steak
I learned how to cook his style of steak in the 1950's , when I worked at a fund raiser for Eisenhower at the Cochran-Odlum Ranch in Indio Ca. He liked lots of garlic, and a rare steak. I still cook my steaks the way he liked them.
Wanted you to know beaten biscuits are a Maryland tradition and can still be found here. Want something delicious and hard to find try Maryland stuffed ham. Still served at some church suppers in southern Maryland
“Last night, along with a long list of familiar food folks, I participated in Cooking For Kamela. Because no matter where our politics may fall, people who care deeply about food can’t help being excited by the prospect of having a serious cook occupying the highest office in the land.”
Who are you kidding? If Melania was into cooking (which for all I know, she is), would you participate in Cooking for Trump?
The last thing I want to read when I come to your Substack is your politics. That’s because I couldn’t care less what you think about politics. Do you have any clue that there are people who “care deeply about food” but don’t share your politics? I spend my money on your Substack because I care what you think about food, not Kamela.
Kiki, perhaps you didn’t realize that this is actually Ruth’s newsletter. And that she can write about whatever she wants in it. You have a number of choices as an adult. You can ignore the parts you disagree with or you can unsubscribe or you can continue to rage into the wind.
Lisa, perhaps you didn’t realize that I’m actually a subscriber to Ruth’s Substack, so I can comment about whatever I like. My choice as an adult is to comment. Too triggering for you? You can ignore the comments you disagree with.
Looks like my raging into the wind caught your attention.
I'm sure that Ruth will be reporting soon on her participation in the Annual Trump Del Taco quesadilla taste off dinner. I'm betting on the nacho cheese flavor bomb, myself. There is no question that even more lasting than the architecture of The Donald's hairpiece is his design of the White House snack baskets. His thoughtful arrangement of Snickers, HiHos, Reese's, Twinkies and Tom's Cheese n Crackers is unparalleled and will forever be a part of White House culinary lore and a true champion of the food industrial complex that has made America fat again.
Is it possible the Virginia menu you cite is from 1757 rather than 1957? Syllabubs were an extremely popular alcoholic dessert in the eighteenth century (originating in England and wildly popular during Jane Austen's time). Given the labor and nature of the dessert, it seems unlikely on a table in the 1950s (even in Virginia).
From the Eisenhower memorial: "Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends."
I can't believe people are finding this post "political." Crazy. Almost as crazy as the time I tried to make beaten biscuits, which is a bonkers method.
I grew up eating beaten biscuits every time I visited my grandmother in North Carolina, and later, my aunt (her daughter) in Maryland. Yes, then dough is beaten until it blisters. But my family has a hand-cranked "biscuit brake" through which you repeatedly feed the dough until it blisters. It still takes a long time.
A biscuit brake is a machine that uses hand-cranked rollers to make beaten biscuits by repeatedly feeding dough between the rollers.
Just FYI - VP Harris' first name is spelled Kamala.
Yes, I know. I can't believe that happened; I am so embarrassed! Fixed now.
Unforgivable, racist faux pas. You should be ashamed.
don't be...<3
Thank goodness!
I recently visited the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and family home in Abilene, KS. I was amazed to learn that Eisenhower's mother had some college education. The guide recounted the fact that every year she canned about 700 jars from the family's extensive garden. As she had six boys, she insisted all of them learn to cook and sew.
I have heard that beaten biscuits were a relic from having slaves - who else would beat them with a heavy object for 30 minutes? Not an axe, but a heavy skillet. The biscuits supposedly blister. I keep swearing I’m going try to make that with a few friends so we can take turns at the beating stage…..
He was also known for his steak cooking technique - although he did not invent it, it is often referred to as an Eisenhower steak: https://www.cooksinfo.com/eisenhower-steak
I learned how to cook his style of steak in the 1950's , when I worked at a fund raiser for Eisenhower at the Cochran-Odlum Ranch in Indio Ca. He liked lots of garlic, and a rare steak. I still cook my steaks the way he liked them.
Wanted you to know beaten biscuits are a Maryland tradition and can still be found here. Want something delicious and hard to find try Maryland stuffed ham. Still served at some church suppers in southern Maryland
“Last night, along with a long list of familiar food folks, I participated in Cooking For Kamela. Because no matter where our politics may fall, people who care deeply about food can’t help being excited by the prospect of having a serious cook occupying the highest office in the land.”
Who are you kidding? If Melania was into cooking (which for all I know, she is), would you participate in Cooking for Trump?
The last thing I want to read when I come to your Substack is your politics. That’s because I couldn’t care less what you think about politics. Do you have any clue that there are people who “care deeply about food” but don’t share your politics? I spend my money on your Substack because I care what you think about food, not Kamela.
Kiki, perhaps you didn’t realize that this is actually Ruth’s newsletter. And that she can write about whatever she wants in it. You have a number of choices as an adult. You can ignore the parts you disagree with or you can unsubscribe or you can continue to rage into the wind.
Lisa, perhaps you didn’t realize that I’m actually a subscriber to Ruth’s Substack, so I can comment about whatever I like. My choice as an adult is to comment. Too triggering for you? You can ignore the comments you disagree with.
Looks like my raging into the wind caught your attention.
I'm sure that Ruth will be reporting soon on her participation in the Annual Trump Del Taco quesadilla taste off dinner. I'm betting on the nacho cheese flavor bomb, myself. There is no question that even more lasting than the architecture of The Donald's hairpiece is his design of the White House snack baskets. His thoughtful arrangement of Snickers, HiHos, Reese's, Twinkies and Tom's Cheese n Crackers is unparalleled and will forever be a part of White House culinary lore and a true champion of the food industrial complex that has made America fat again.
Spoken like a true elitist.
World Central Kitchen among others is cooking & distributing food in Gaza
Yes, the 30 minutes was more alarming than the axe handle! I hope those cooks were ambidextrous!
I am a huge fan.
But I need to ask, who is cooking for women and children in Gaza?
Is it possible the Virginia menu you cite is from 1757 rather than 1957? Syllabubs were an extremely popular alcoholic dessert in the eighteenth century (originating in England and wildly popular during Jane Austen's time). Given the labor and nature of the dessert, it seems unlikely on a table in the 1950s (even in Virginia).
From the Eisenhower memorial: "Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends."
I can't believe people are finding this post "political." Crazy. Almost as crazy as the time I tried to make beaten biscuits, which is a bonkers method.
Hi! I’m reading your book A Paris Novel right now, and wishing I was there. 🇫🇷
I grew up eating beaten biscuits every time I visited my grandmother in North Carolina, and later, my aunt (her daughter) in Maryland. Yes, then dough is beaten until it blisters. But my family has a hand-cranked "biscuit brake" through which you repeatedly feed the dough until it blisters. It still takes a long time.
A biscuit brake is a machine that uses hand-cranked rollers to make beaten biscuits by repeatedly feeding dough between the rollers.
So what did you cook for Kamala?
My family does not have an axe in the kitchen, but we do keep one at the dinner table, mostly because my wife prefers her meat well done.