Honor our presidents this month with some of their favorite sweets and savories.
The month of February graces us with 2 presidential moments: Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12), and Presidents’ Day, (Feb. 18), which officially honors the life and work of George Washington (his actually birthday is February 22). And while there are a plethora of ways to celebrate these leaders and their days, we believe all great celebrations include good food. So why not celebrate with dishes favored by the men of honor?
On the 12th, nibble on Mary Todd Lincoln’s famous sugar cookies, and revel in the fact that the recipe stood the test of time. Then, start out your Presidents’ Day with George Washington’s favorite breakfast dish: hoecakes, a simple alternative to pancakes.
Mary Todd Lincoln’s Sugar Cookies
Source – A. Lincoln Cookbook: A Cookbook of Epic Portions
Ingredients:
1 c. butter
1 c. vegetable oil
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 1/2 c. flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
Combine butter, vegetable oil, 1 cup of granulated sugar and powdered sugar, and beat until creamy. Add one egg. Add other egg with the vanilla extract. Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Add to butter mixture. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Drop balls into granulated sugar and roll them around. Using an everyday kitchen glass, dip the base into the sugar and press the balls out onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Makes 60.
George Washington’s Breakfast Hoecakes
Ingredients:
3/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. cornmeal
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. salad oil
Place dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add liquids. Mix until smooth. Drop by spoonful onto a griddle and fry like pancakes. Serve with butter, syrup or both.