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What's on the Menu at the Inauguration Luncheon?

YumSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800

Next Tuesday, after Barack Obama is sworn in as the nation's leader, he will be served a meal fit for a president at the inauguration luncheon. Held at the US capitol's Statuary Hall, the event, which is hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee of Inaugural Ceremonies, is catered by the Arlington, VA-based catering company Design Cuisine.

I've taken a sneak peek at the official menu. This year, the cuisine is based on the personal favorites of Abraham Lincoln. Since you all did so well guessing what was served at this year's Golden Globes, I figured you would do well predicting what items would please the presidential palate. Find out when you take our quiz!

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All the News That's Fit to Eat - Jan. 14, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:30:58 -0800

For an inexpensive dinner or hearty Super Bowl snack, reach for these spicy drumsticks. - Boston Globe
Presidential inaugurations have had a long history of celebrations. - Chicago Tribune
Why Community Supported Fisheries may keep small, floundering fisheries alive. - Washington Post
How to elevate the modest meatball. - The Oregonian
Cracked wheat, or bulgur, is cheap, healthful, versatile, fast, and delicious. - San Francisco Chronicle
This year, learn how to properly read a wine label. - Wall Street Journal
Eateries in Washington are hoping Obama's frequent dining-out habits will be good news for the restaurant scene. - New York Times
What's the appeal of food-competition programming?- Los Angeles Times

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Come Party With Me: Inauguration - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:15:58 -0800

Although the Inauguration isn't until next Tuesday, I'm inviting friends over to kick off the ceremony on Sunday. Since Barack Obama was senator in Chicago, the menu has a Chicago theme. After finishing the deep-dish pizzas, wait an hour before serving this decadent dessert. Eli's is the Windy City's famous bakery known for its chocolate chip cheesecake. While you could order a cheesecake from Eli's and have it delivered, I recommend whipping up a homemade variation. This recipe features sour cream (like most Chicago-style cheesecakes) and results in a cake that is firm on the outside, but deliciously creamy on the inside.

To look at the recipe, read more.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
From Ghirardelli

Ingredients

1 cup(s) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 tablespoon(s) Unsweetened Cocoa
2 ounce(s) White Chocolate Baking Bar
2/3 cup(s) crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup(s) granulate white sugar
1/3 cup(s) (2/3 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 1/4 cup(s) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup(s) granulated white sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup(s) sour cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch springform cake pan.
To make the crust, in a small bowl, mix together the crushed graham crackers, cocoa, and sugar. Stir in the butter. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan.
Press firmly to distribute the crust mixture onto the bottom and halfway up the sides of the pan. Chill the crust while making the filling.
To make the filling, in a medium-size bowl, beat the cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar with an electric mixer at low speed until smooth.
Gradually beat in the eggs, increasing the speed slightly as the mixture softens.
Beat in the sour cream. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips with a large spoon.
Pour the filling into the chilled crust and set the pan on a baking tray. Bake for 75 minutes, or until firm. The cheesecake may deflate and crack as it cools, so turn off the oven and let cool slowly in the oven for about 1 hour with the oven door open.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight before removing from the pan.
Sprinkle the top with grated white chocolate. This cheesecake is best if eaten within 3 days of baking.

Serves 8-10.

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Come Party With Me: Inauguration - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:00:46 -0800

Next week Barack Obama will make history when he is sworn in as president. Naturally, this momentous occasion deserves a party! The ceremony takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11:30 a.m. EST. Since most people will be working, I've decided to host my party the Sunday before. HBO is airing a special live program, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, to kick off the festivities, and I've invited my friends over to watch it with me. While my election night menu featured patriotic dishes, this party will highlight dishes from Barack Obama's old hometown, Chicago.

For appetizers offer guests Garrett Gourmet Popcorn, flown in fresh from the Windy City. Make mini Italian beef sandwiches topped with giardiniera peppers. For the main course, serve two nontraditional (they're square shaped - no special circular pans necessary) deep dish pizzas. A pepperoni, onion, and mushroom pie is perfectly hearty while a spinach-artichoke pizza will satiate the vegetarians in attendance. To check out these tantalizing recipes, read more.

Mini Italian Beef Sandwiches
From Midwest Living

Ingredients

1 17-oz. pkg. refrigerated cooked beef roast au jus
2 cups frozen peppers (yellow, green, and red) and onion stir-fry vegetables
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 cups shredded cabbage with carrot (coleslaw mix)
1/2 cup pepperoncini salad peppers, stemmed and chopped, plus 2 tablespoons drained liquid
16 2- to 3-inch rolls, split
giardiniera peppers (optional, for serving)

Directions

Place beef mixture in a medium saucepan, breaking up any large pieces. Add peppers, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Heat through just to boiling.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine coleslaw mix, 1/2 cup chopped pepperoncini and liquid, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
To serve, use a slotted spoon to divide meat mixture among roll bottoms. Top each with coleslaw mixture; add roll tops.
Serve with giardiniera peppers, if you like.

Makes 16 sandwiches.

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Deep-Dish Pizzas
From Everyday Food

Ingredients

Olive oil, for pans
All-purpose flour, for work surface
2 balls (1 pound each) store-bought pizza dough, thawed if frozen
1 1/2 cups jarred tomato sauce
6 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella (1 1/2 pounds)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
For Pepperoni-Onion Topping:
4 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 pound thinly sliced button mushrooms, sauteed (optional)
For Spinach-Artichoke Topping
1 package (10 ounces) frozen leaf spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts in water, drained, quartered, and squeezed dry

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush bottom and sides of two 13-by-9-inch metal baking pans with oil.
On a lightly floured work surface, stretch each ball of dough into a 10-by-14-inch oval (if dough isn't holding its shape, let rest a few minutes).
Transfer each oval to a prepared pan, pressing to fit into corners, and one inch up sides to form a rim.
Dividing evenly, spread sauce over each oval of dough.
Using 3 cups of cheese per pizza, spread three layers each of cheese and topping, ending with topping (layering with cheese helps to hold each pizza together). Season with salt and pepper. (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate, up to 1 day.)
Bake pizzas side by side until cheese and crusts are golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, rotating once (if refrigerated, add 10 minutes).
Let rest in pans 10 minutes. To serve, use two wide spatulas to transfer pizzas to cutting boards.

Serves 8.

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Come Party With Me: Inauguration - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:22 -0800

Make patriotism chic at the inauguration kickoff party with sleek scarlets and deep blues. Silver accents are a lux and sophisticated final touch.

Set up the food on a long buffet table covered with a red table runner. Stack blue plates and "Yes We Did!" napkins nearby, so guests can help themselves to sandwiches and pizza at their leisure. Put the punch on another side of the room and arrange the champagne coups next to the bowl.

A bouquet of red tulips is an eye-catching focal point. For a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, light plenty of candles and throw festive pillows on the couch.

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Come Party With Me: Inauguration - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:10:08 -0800

Although it's named after a city in Massachusetts, Cohasset Punch is a classic concoction native to Chicago. Since the menu of my Inauguration kickoff party is Chicago themed, in honor of Barack Obama's old home, the signature drink should be a cocktail with origins in the Windy City. A favorite since before World War I, Cohasset Punch is a mixture of rum, Grand Marnier, and canned peach syrup. Along with the punch, offer guests a small selection of beer, wine, and sodas. To learn how to make the Cohasset cocktail, read more.

Cohasset Punch
From The Wall Street Journal

Ingredients

1½ oz dark rum
1 oz sweet vermouth
juice of ½ lemon
½ oz syrup from canned peaches
½ oz Grand Marnier
2 dashes orange bitters

Directions

Start by putting half a canned peach in the bottom of a saucer champagne glass; then half-fill the glass with shaved ice.
Put all the liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the glass.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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What's on Obama's Pre-Presidential Dinner Plate

YumSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:15:08 -0800

We've got our hands on the menu for Obama's last supper before the big day, and it ain't Southern-style johnnycakes or Hawaiian pizza.

The Hilton Washington Hotel in Washington, DC, one of three venues hosting an official candlelight dinner on the eve of the presidential inauguration, has revealed an elaborate menu. This is the last meal the Obamas will have before they spend the next four years under the discerning palate of Cristeta Comerford, the current White House executive chef. To see the menu, read more.

New England Lobster Bisque en Croute
Porcini Dusted Petit Fillet, Port Wine Demi, Complemented with Seared Sundried Tomato Scented Escolar Basil Emulsion
Sea Salt Roasted Tricolor Fingerling Potatoes
Winter Baby Vegetables
Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream

What do you think of the menu? Does it sound like something that the president-elect would enjoy as a last meal before being sworn in as the nation's leader?

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Enjoy Free Krispy Kreme Tomorrow

partysugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:45:34 -0800

To honor the Presidential inauguration, tomorrow Krispy Kreme doughnuts is giving away free doughnuts. In the promotion every customer will receive a free doughnut of his or her choice. Krispy Kreme's executive chef, Ron Rupocinski, explains that "Krispy Kreme is taking the inaugural festivities nationwide. We're inviting our fans in cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., to commemorate this historic day with a favorite American treat." No purchase is necessary for the free doughnut. Be sure to find out if your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

Are you excited about inauguration day? Will you celebrate with a free doughnut?

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Pres. Obama, Aboard First Air Force One Flight, Orders Burger

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:30:48 -0800

The inauguration may be behind us, but we're only beginning to get to know President Barack Obama's discerning palate.

In this clip from a National Geographic Channel series titled On Board Air Force One, the then-president-elect rides aboard the presidential plane for the very first time. Dinner is served on the plane, and the nation's leader barely takes a glance at the menu before proclaiming, "I'll see how you guys do a burger."

To watch the video and see how our new president prefers eating his burger, read more.

As it turns out, President Obama orders his burger medium well, with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and dijon mustard as the star condiment. The famously health-conscious president requests a salad on the side, but adds, "I'll still take the fries."

Obama's burger preferences are acceptable - with the exception of the medium well part. I'm a little disappointed the president doesn't like his meat a little more rare (it's juicier that way, in my opinion).

Do you approve of how the president orders his burgers? Do you prefer a rare or well-done patty?

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Tom Colicchio Performs Heimlich, Saves Fellow Chef's Life

partysugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:00:19 -0800

At an inaugural benefit for D.C. Central Kitchen, Tom Colicchio went from being a top chef to a real-life hero.

According to eye witness Ezra Klein, Joan Nathan, the award-winning cookbook author of Jewish Cooking in America and hostess of the event, began to choke on a piece of chicken. Colicchio happened to be nearby and when Alice Waters shouted, "Does anyone know the Heimlich maneuver?" he was able to perform the life-saving technique on Nathan.

Nathan was lucky to have such a strong, quick-thinking chef nearby. After hearing this news, do you consider Colicchio a hero? Does it make you want to learn the Heimlich maneuver?

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