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Since the Obamas' state dinner last week featured classic American food, I've had traditional cuisine on the mind. We asked you to share what dishes you consider signature to the US, and the responses were deliciously varied, from apple pie to barbecue. Here, I've rounded up 10 recipes, inspired by your suggestions, for a good old American feast. Read more
Last night the Obamas hosted their first state dinner of 2011. Yesterday, the menu was described as being "quintessentially American," but no specifics were released. While we tried to guess what would be served, in the end White House chefs Cristeta Comerford and Bill Yosses went with a surf and turf menu. The first course was a pear, fennel, walnut, and goat cheese salad. The second plating Read more
Tonight at the White House, chefs Cristeta Comerford and Bill Yosses are cooking up a special state dinner. Although the official menu has yet to be released, it is said that the Chinese delegation and the Obamas will dine on food that is "quintessentially American." But what exactly does that mean? When I lived in Spain and people asked me to make "American food," I always served fried chicken Read more
We knew it'd be a big year for President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. But there's no way we would have predicted the extent to which they would become involved in America's growing culinary culture and increasing food politics. Not only did the first couple set an extraordinary example of how the nation should eat healthy and local, but every single bite, it seems — from a cheeseburger Read more
Part of Michelle Obama's master plan to reform eating habits in this country includes the directive of a young chef named Sam Kass. Kass has been the Obamas' personal chef for several years now, and when the Obamas packed up and moved to the White House, he did too. Kass, 29, plays more than cook at his current post: he is the first White House chef to have an actual desk in the East Wing and Read more
True to the cultural tone President Obama is predicted to set, he took his family to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater perform at the Kennedy Center Friday night. The first family waved from the presidential box as audience members hung over the balcony, waving and trying to shake hands. Saturday the whole family retreated to Camp David in Maryland, along with Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Read more
Remember when the Bushes told the Obamas "no, you can't" when they requested to stay at the Blair House? The decline sent the incoming president into the frigid, Winter night to find lodging in a manger hotel. Fancy as it may be, Rachel Maddow led us to the overwhelming question "who is more important than the Obamas?" The answer came Tuesday from the Washington Post: John Howard, former prime Read more
Obama arrived in Washington on Sunday, following Michelle and daughters, Malia and Sasha, who came Saturday. The girls are set to start school at Sidwell Friends Monday, and the president-elect is ready to get to work. Only 15 days till inauguration! The family will stay at the Hay-Adams Hotel until Jan. 15. They'll then move into the Blair House, a government-owned guesthouse, according to Read more
Nancy Reagan was Rainbow. Ronald was Unicorn. Joking! He was Rawhide. Hillary was Evergreen, and Bill was Eagle. And now the first and second families have their very own not-so-secret names. Why so transparent? Electronic communication now encrypts data so they're really just a throwback to another time. But as fun as ever! See if you can match the Secret Service name with the person in my Read more
Fresh green peas are the first sign for Spring and since they have a short season, I always get my fill before they disappear come Summer. And just in the nick of time, I spotted a new recipe from Michelle Obama's upcoming book, American Grown. The First Lady's pea salad calls for peas, shallots, leeks, and mint, all tossed together with a healthy cream dressing. After shelling the peas, they Read more
