It’s a wonderful night to enjoy chili for dinner and so we tried out LBJ’s Chili recipe. It truly is one of the best Chili’s I’ve ever tasted. The steak was tender. The seasonings perfect.

President Johnson was a huge fan of chili and enjoyed it very much. He even is attributed as saying “Chili concocted outside of Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing. One of the first things I do when I get home to Texas is to have a ‘bowl of red’. There is simply nothing better.” 

This recipe is directly from the Johnson family archives at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas.

President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Chili

Ingredients

4 pounds round steak or chuck roast – trimmed and coarsely ground (a chili grind) – or cut into ½ inch cubes work. 

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced 

 1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

6 teaspoons chili powder

2 – 16 oz. canned whole tomatoes – cut up 

Hot sauce- to taste 

Salt – to taste 

2 Cups hot water

Directions

In a large frying pan, brown meat with onion and garlic until meat is lightly browned; transfer ingredients to a large heavy kettle or a cast iron dutch oven.
Add oregano, cumin, chili powder, tomatoes, hot sauce, salt, and hot water. Bring just to a boil; lower heat and simmer, covered, for approximately 1 hour or until the meat is tender.

This is not your momma’s traditional Banana Bread 🤣 With a dash of Rum in the ingredients it’s just so tantalizing and tasty! Rum brings an extra subtle sweetness to the bread.

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

5 1/3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2/3 cup sugar

2 large eggs lightly beaten

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1 tablespoon of rum. For more of a rum taste, add an extra tablespoonful.

Directions

Note: It is important to have all of the ingredients at room temperature.

Position the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. I use parchment paper to line the bottom and grease again just to make sure the bread doesn’t stick! Once this is done, set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda).

Set the bowl aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter until it’s lightened in color and texture. 

Mix in the flour mixture until well blended and is like the consistency of brown sugar. 

Gradually beat in the eggs.

Fold in the mashed bananas, walnuts, and rum.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes until removing. Once removed, place the bread onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Fat Rascals

President Theodore Roosevelt and Mrs. Roosevelt usually began each morning eating their favorite breakfast of hard-boiled eggs and biscuits called Fat Rascals.

The Roosevelt’s enjoyed Fat Rascals for breakfast or as a snack. The biscuits are best served fresh out of the oven with lots of butter.

Ingredients

4 Cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cup butter (3 sticks)

1 1/4 cup milk

1 pound of dried currants ***

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. Cut the butter into chunks and add to the flour mixture. Using a pastry knife combine the butter with the flour, until the mixture has the texture of large breadcrumbs. 

Add the dried currants and stir, then add the milk and mix to form a rough dough – try to knead it as little as possible. If there is a lot of flour left at the bottom, add more milk a tablespoon or so at a time until the dough comes together. If the dough is too wet do the same thing with flour. 

Place dough on lightly floured surface and roll into 1” thickness.

Using a 2” biscuit cutter, cut out the biscuits and place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tops are lightly browned and the insides are thoroughly done.

Remove from the oven. The biscuits are best served fresh out of the oven. Slice in half and fill with butter or your favorite preserves.

*** I used raisins in the place of currants.

Several years ago, Family Circle Magazine held a cookie bake off during each Presidential election season. The contest was between the Presidential candidates wives aka the potential future First Ladies. Readers would then vote for their favorite cookie and it was said that whoever’s cookie won the contest – their husband would win the Presidential election. 

In the year 2000, Tipper Gore and Laura Bush made their favorite cookies for the contest. Tipper Gore made Ginger Snaps and Laura Bush made her Cowboy Cookies. Laura Bush’s cookies won and well…the rest is history 🇺🇸

Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar, packed

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened flake coconut

2 cups chopped pecans

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in bowl. 

In 8-quart bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars to combine, 2 minutes. 

Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla. 

Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans. 

For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. 

Bake in 350 degree F oven 17 to 20 minutes, until edges are lightly browned; rotate sheets halfway through. 

Remove cookies to rack to cool. Enjoy!

Recipe is from the George W. Bush Presidential Center

George Washington’s favorite breakfast staple was a stack of Hoe Cakes fresh off the griddle smothered in butter, syrup or honey. He also enjoyed a cup of hot tea or one his other favorite beverages: hot chocolate cream (which we know now to be a version of hot chocolate).

Hoe Cakes

Ingredients

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup all purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten 

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup melted butter lightly cooled

Vegetable oil or bacon grease for frying

Directions

In a large bowl add the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt and whisk together really well. 

Make a hole/well in the center of the mixture and add in the beaten eggs, buttermilk, water, and melted butter and mix until thoroughly combined.

Heat a couple of tablespoons of oil (I use butter) in a cast iron skillet or frying pan on medium-high heat.

Scoop enough batter as if you are making a pancake and drop into the frying pan. 

Fry each Hoe cake until the edges start to bubble and the edges are golden brown. Flip over and fry for another couple minutes until golden brown.

Remove and serve immediately with butter, and or syrup. Or you can be like George Washington and add honey!

President Andrew Johnson was a man of simple tastes and humble beginnings from North Carolina.

One of his favorite dishes was Sweet Potato Pudding – which is a traditional Southern dessert.

Sweet Potato Pudding

Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup whole milk

2 large well-beaten eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.

In a large pot, add the cubed sweet potatoes and cover with water. Bring to a full boil and cook the potatoes until they are tender (this will take about 15-20 minutes).

Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot.

Mash until smooth. Set the pot aside.

In a large bowl, add the mashed sweet potatoes with the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt.

Mix until well combined and the texture is smooth.

If using the chopped pecans, fold the pecans into the mixture for added texture and flavor. You can also just sprinkle onto the top too vs. folding into the mixture.

Pour the sweet potato mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly over the entire dish.

Bake the pudding in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the pudding is set and slightly golden on the top.

Remove from the oven and let the sweet potato pudding cool slightly before serving.

The pudding can be served warm or at room temperature.

For extra deliciousness add a dollop of homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Today in the kitchen I made former First Lady Edith Wilson’s Cornbread Skillet. I don’t recall ever making/baking Cornbread in a skillet and this is truly delicious. Especially using white cornmeal vs. yellow cornmeal. It has like a buttermilk taste – which I absolutely love 😋

Edith Wilson’s Cornbread Skillet

Ingredients

1 Cup White Cornmeal

2 cups of boiling water

1 cup milk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 TBSP baking powder

2 TBSP butter

2 TBSP granulated sugar (optional)

4 large eggs

Directions

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.

In a medium bowl, pour water over the cornmeal and add butter.

Add the milk, flour, salt, baking powder, sugar (optional) and eggs.

Mix all together.

Grease a large skillet. I used softened butter to grease my cast iron skillet.

Pour into the skillet.

Bake until done – the original recipe says 30 minutes but I would check sooner possibly at 25-27 minutes.

Today in the kitchen I made a delicious Cinnamon Bread. I love the smell (and taste!) of all things cinnamon and the recipe is so easy to use. You probably have all of the ingredients in your own kitchen today!

Cinnamon Bread

Batter Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/3 cups sour cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

Brown Sugar-Cinnamon Mixture

4 TBSP unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 TBSP ground cinnamon

3/4 cup brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk the dry ingredients together really well.

Set the bowl aside.

In a separate medium bowl, add the eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream and vanilla extract. Whisk together really well. Set the bowl aside.

In a small bowl, add the cinnamon, melted butter and brown sugar. Mix together really well. Set the bowl aside.

Make a well into the center of the dry ingredients bowl.

Pour the wet ingredients into the well. Mix the wet and dry ingredients really well until all is combined thoroughly.

Spoon about 1/4 of the batter into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the batter.

Dollop about 1/3 cup of the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture over the batter.

Top with the remaining batter.

Add the remaining brown sugar-cinnamon mixture into the top.

Drag a butter knife back and forth – lengthwise and cross wise and make swirls.

Bake uncovered in the oven for 45 minutes. Then remove and cover with foil and bake for another 20 minutes until thoroughly done.

Remove from the oven cool the bread for at least five minutes before removing from the loaf pan.

Place on a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

The bread is delicious to eat plain or with butter (I prefer butter, of course!)

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and it’s my favorite time of year for baking!

The first cookie I’ve made (so far) this holiday season are these wonderfully festive Chocolate Chip cookies loaded with chocolate chips plus white chocolate chips to add the wintery feel + red and green sprinkles to add that extra bonus of a festive Christmas cookie.

Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Holiday sprinkles, for garnish

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla extract.

Set the bowl aside.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Gently fold in both the white chocolate chips and semisweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed in the dough.

Use a cookie scoop (or spoon) to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

If adding holiday sprinkles, place the sprinkles in a small bowl and roll the cookie balls into the sprinkles and then add to the baking sheets.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are a lightly golden brown.

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Today in the kitchen I made Maple Pumpkin Scones. The scones are incredibly moist, tender and infused with my favorite ingredients: pumpkin and maple.

They are perfect for breakfast, a tea party or brunch or…just because you want ‘em.

Maple Pumpkin Scones

Ingredients for the Scone Batter

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaapoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Maple Glaze

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon milk

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Combine the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Cut in the butter: Add cold, cubed butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can use a pastry cutter, fork or also your fingers if you don’t have a pastry cutter available.

Mix the wet ingredients into a separate medium bowl. Combine the pumpkin, milk, and vanilla.

Add to the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.

Add the batter to a well greased scone pan or if you don’t have a scone pan…add the dough onto a floured surface and gently pat into a circle about 1 inch thick.

Cut into wedges and place on a well greased (or line with parchment paper) baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.

If using a scone pan, remove from the pan after ten minutes.

To make the maple glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth.

Drizzle the maple glaze over the warm scones.