2008.11.17
What do jelly beans, red meat & chili have in common?
They are the favorite foods of presidents.
Ronald Reagan started eating jelly beans to quit smoking and got hooked; George W. loves his beef. And according to a recent Associated Press story, Barack Obama is hot for chili.
The story reports that the Obamas are food lovers and the president-elect himself likes making his own chili and topping everything with hot sauce. One of their favorite restaurants is a Mexican one, where they enjoy margaritas. They also love hand-made pasta.
At 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the family will have a chef to make all their favorites -- the story says Malia and Sasha love macaroni and cheese and fried chicken (who doesn't?), french toast and pie, particularly lemon chiffon. Those are girls after my heart.
As with some other presidents, though, Obama also has a most disliked food -- beets. If you'll recall, George H.W. Bush famously hated broccoli, so the vegetables strike out again. My grandfather refused to eat broccoli, in part because he liked the senior Bush.
I'm proud to say I love broccoli and beets, if they're prepared correctly. I fancy myself an open-minded eater.
I think beets get a bad rep because of those terrible canned versions you see on salad bars. I have to say I wasn't too fond of them either until I decided to give them another chance by just roasting them with oil, salt, and pepper--completely different than the gross canned ones, and completely delicious!
Comment by Emma — November 17, 2008 @ 11:54 pm
Mmmmm Chili. I made a big crock pot full of my sweet & hot chili this weekend. Brown Sugar, Cinnamon & Cocoa Chile Seasoning, add liberal amounts of jalapenos, habanero ro-tel, cayenne pepper, top with vigorous shakes of Cholula Spicy Garlic sauce..... BLAM. Firebelly!
Comment by scott — November 18, 2008 @ 12:15 am
I hated a lot of vegetables as a child, but always loved broccoli. I thought they looked like little trees, that made eating them fun.
Comment by Debbie — November 18, 2008 @ 9:44 am
Obama will also be the first smoker in a generation in the White House (he's been trying to quit since he started campaigning). There is reportedly a major stash of pre-embargo cigars in the White House. I need to give my buddy Barry a call.
Comment by Henry — November 18, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
When my son was about 5, he had a crush on one of my friends who happened to dislike mushrooms. Hence, he refused to eat them (he'd eaten them up to that point). As for beets -- EUCK!!! UNLESS they are pickled adding cinnamon and onion to the pickling mix. Now THAT's good ... and when the beets are finished, then put eggs in that mixture. YUM!!! Not to mention, they're PRETTY!!
Comment by Susan — November 18, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
I also like broccoli and beets, but my husband will not touch a beet. I will forgive him though, as he like plain ol' brusssel sprouts, but I will not eat them unless prepared a certain way (a bit like a hash).
Comment by Lori — November 18, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Hey, speaking of chili, has anyone ever heard of adding grape jelly to chili for some reason? I said something about that to someone and they thought I was nuts. I KNOW I read about it somewhere.
Comment by Susan — November 18, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
I did not like beets for many years, although I loved eggs soaked in the pickled beet juice. Like Emma though, i decided to give them another try. After reading posts on here about how wonderful they are, I roasted some with olive oil and salt and pepper. I loved them. Still hate brussel sprouts though. I tried them roasted too, nope still don't like them.
Comment by Debbie — November 18, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
Okay Lindsey, you had me goin' there. I wondered if there was some weird chili recipe coming up. Thanks for the giggle.
And beets DO get a bad rap, but they're good. Mmmmmm...
Comment by Amy Hanek — November 18, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
cantaloupe. I HATE cantaloupe. I try to like it every year and it just doesn't work. It simply tastes like snot to me.
But I'm all for broccoli and beets!
Comment by carrie — November 19, 2008 @ 8:10 am
I've never heard of adding grape jelly to chili, but I've heard of making a sauce with grape jelly for meatballs or cocktail wieners. I think you mix it with BBQ sauce or something. I hear that Paula Deen adds a pouch of taco seasoning and a pouch of ranch dressing mix to her chili. I've never tried that before.
Comment by lindseynair — November 19, 2008 @ 9:39 am
Well, chili is generally spicy, but I love sweet and spicy mixed together. So for me, grape jelly, tabasco, or anything else involving all sections of the tongue are good. Texture should be considered too. *grumble, grumble* Is it lunchtime yet? lol.
Comment by Amy Hanek — November 19, 2008 @ 9:45 am
My mom used to make what she called "cowboy chili," which was a sweet chili she made with pork 'n' beans in an iron skillet. She served it with cornbread. I liked it, but not as much as spicy chili.
Comment by lindseynair — November 19, 2008 @ 10:24 am
Tell your mom that I always say, "Great minds think alike." lol.
Comment by Amy Hanek — November 19, 2008 @ 11:11 am