Celebrating the Presidents

Last night, we celebrated President's Day with our friends, Bruce and Doreen. Dinner consisted of peanut butter soup, Kentucky skillet fried chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, buttermilk biscuits, and cherry pie a la mode for dessert. Doreen brought macaroni and cheese in honor of Thomas Jefferson, who first introduced macaroni to America. She also learned that George Washington, who loved ice cream, had two ice houses installed at Mt. Vernon so that the dessert would always be plentiful. We all enjoyed the meal and the president trivia that accompanied it. (Thank you, Doreen!)

We first began celebrating President's Day when the girls were little. Cooking special dishes seemed a natural extension of the day's history or catechism lesson. What would Abe Lincoln have eaten - fried chicken? Did Washington really cut down a cherry tree? Did you know that Gen. Washington was almost assassinated by an aide who put poison in his peas? Or, that he loved peanut soup? These little historical details find expression in a celebratory meal that we look forward to every year. I must admit that the high fat content of the dishes is not for the faint of heart. But then again, it only happens once a year.

Here is the recipe for peanut butter soup that Tess and I found years and years ago in The Nancy Drew Cookbook. I've altered it by adding more peanut butter to taste. Although not authentic - peanut butter would not be discovered until after the Civil War by George Washington Carver - it is deliciously different, and in this house, a real crowd pleaser. Serve in small amounts for it is very rich.

Peanut Butter Soup

4 tbs. butter
4 tbs. flour
4 c. milk
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter (natural works well)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
salt to taste

Make a roux by melting the butter and whisking in the flour. Add the milk slowly, stirring as you go. Add the peanut butter and stir until melted, and the soup is creamy. Stir in the cinnamon and salt. Serve hot, garnished with chopped, unsalted dry roasted peanuts. Serves 8.