President’s Day – Favorite Appetizers

The 8th United States President, Martin Van Buren (term from 1837 to 1841), reportedly named the following appetizer as his favorite.

Midnight Edam Cheese Spread

President Martin Van Buren

Midnight Edam Cheese Spread

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz. Edam cheese
  • 1/4 lb. sweet butter
  • 2/3 c. beer
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1/2 c. plum tomatoes (peeled, seeded and chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. green onions, finely minced
  • Toast slices

Directions:  Cut a 2″ slice across the top of cheese and set aside.  Scoop out the inside of the cheese.  Using a blender or food processor, mix together the scooped-out cheese and butter.  Slowly add beer.

Mix in Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, tomatoes, garlic salt and onions. Fill the shell with the cheese mixture and cover with the reserved 2″ cheese piece.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and serve with toast slices.

Yield: 6 servings  (approximately 1/4 c. spread)

Curried Cucumbers & Crab Meat

The following recipe was considered a favorite of the 19th U.S.President,  Rutherford B. Hayes (term from 1877 to 1881).

U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes

President Rutherford B. Hayes

Ingredients: 

  • 1 c. mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. curry powder
  • 1/2 c. crab meat
  • 2 cucumbers
  • 6 thin slices of bread
  • 1/2 c. black olives (pitted and chopped)

Directions:  In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, curry powder and crab meat.  Peel cucumbers and cut them into thin slices.

Using a start circle-shaped cookie cutter, cut out small circles of bread.  Spread bread circles with the curry-crab mixture.  Place a cucumber slice on each bread circle and top with a small amount of curry-crab mixture.  Top with chopped olives.

Yield: 24 slices

Dolley Madison’s Cheese Straws

First Lady Dolley Madison

Dolley Madison, wife of the 4th U.S. President, was the first dubbed as “First Lady,”

Ingredients: 

  • 4 c. sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated, room temperature
  • 1 c. butter, room temperature
  • 3 c. flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. white pepper

Directions: In a bowl, cream cheese and butter together. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly to form dough.

Roll out dough on a floured board to 1/4″ thickness.  Using a sharp knife, cut into strips about 1/2″ x 4″ wide.  Place strips on an un-greased baking sheet.

Bake 400°F for 8 minutes until golden brown.

Yield: 6 dozen

Franklin Pierce Mexican Cheese Dip

Reportedly, the 14th President of the United States of America  President Franklin Pierce indulged in this appetizer.

U.S. President Franklin Pierce
United States President Franklin Pierce

Ingredients: 

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 or 2 medium Jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
  • 3 1/2 c. cooked tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped
  • 5 c. Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp. celery salt
  • Thin slices of toasted French bread

Directions:  In a frying pan, cook onions and garlic in oil until translucent. Add Jalapeño peppers and tomatoes.  Simmer 10 minutes. Drain excess cooking liquid. Add cheese and celery salt.  Continue to simmer 10 minutes more.

Serve warm or chilled with toasted French bread.

Yield: 14 servings (about 1/2c. each)

Calories: 195 per serving

 

Leave a comment