An overview of food and entertaining in the White House, 1800–1850. Authored by Patricia B. Mitchell. Edited by Sarah E. Mitchell. Foreword by former White House chef Martin C.J. Mongiello. 18 recipes, 133 research notes, 13,448 words.
"That Palace in Washington" is both the title of this book and a quotation from Rachel Jackson, wife of Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. — Mrs. Jackson was expressing her distress at the prospect of living in the White House.
The first eleven administrations (from John Adams to Zachary Taylor) are covered in "That Palace in Washington." (George Washington did not reside in the White House.) Later administrations are discussed in Patricia Mitchell's companion titles "Delicacies in Proportion: An Anecdotal History of White House Entertaining 1850–1901" and "Plain Food & High Thinking: An Anecdotal History of White House Entertaining 1901–1953."
Anecdotes, quotations, recipes, and an informative narrative make this an educational volume; and the author adds touches of humor in the relating of some home-life incidents in the “Palace.”
Both elaborate recipes like “A Boned Turkey” and homestyle dishes such as “Batter Cakes” are included, and information about presidential food preferences is given.
Featured in the book are: John and Abigail Adams; Thomas Jefferson; James and Dolley Madison; James and Elizabeth Monroe; John Quincy and Louisa Adams; Andrew Jackson; Martin Van Buren; William Henry Harrison; John Tyler, Letitia, and Julia; James and Sarah Polk; and Zachary and Margaret Taylor.
This and other books by Patricia B. Mitchell were first written for museums and their patrons, and are now available as Kindle editions. Each of her books summarizes a food history topic, using quotations and anecdotes from early sources to both entertain and inform. She carefully lists her references to make it easy for others to launch their own research.
Since the 1980's Patricia Mitchell's work is a proven staple of American museum culture. Her readers love to share her ever-present sense of discovery. Her sales are approaching a million copies, and she is widely known by her web identity FoodHistory.com.
"That Palace in Washington" is both the title of this book and a quotation from Rachel Jackson, wife of Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. — Mrs. Jackson was expressing her distress at the prospect of living in the White House.
The first eleven administrations (from John Adams to Zachary Taylor) are covered in "That Palace in Washington." (George Washington did not reside in the White House.) Later administrations are discussed in Patricia Mitchell's companion titles "Delicacies in Proportion: An Anecdotal History of White House Entertaining 1850–1901" and "Plain Food & High Thinking: An Anecdotal History of White House Entertaining 1901–1953."
Anecdotes, quotations, recipes, and an informative narrative make this an educational volume; and the author adds touches of humor in the relating of some home-life incidents in the “Palace.”
Both elaborate recipes like “A Boned Turkey” and homestyle dishes such as “Batter Cakes” are included, and information about presidential food preferences is given.
Featured in the book are: John and Abigail Adams; Thomas Jefferson; James and Dolley Madison; James and Elizabeth Monroe; John Quincy and Louisa Adams; Andrew Jackson; Martin Van Buren; William Henry Harrison; John Tyler, Letitia, and Julia; James and Sarah Polk; and Zachary and Margaret Taylor.
This and other books by Patricia B. Mitchell were first written for museums and their patrons, and are now available as Kindle editions. Each of her books summarizes a food history topic, using quotations and anecdotes from early sources to both entertain and inform. She carefully lists her references to make it easy for others to launch their own research.
Since the 1980's Patricia Mitchell's work is a proven staple of American museum culture. Her readers love to share her ever-present sense of discovery. Her sales are approaching a million copies, and she is widely known by her web identity FoodHistory.com.
