Debating what to cook for the debates? Make it presidential
By Leslie Brenner
Depending on where in the United States you’ll be watching, the first presidential debate of the 2024 election season will be broadcast right around dinnertime. Why not munch, as you watch, on some presidential favorite foods?
We’ve got you covered with recipes and ideas that would appeal to the current candidates, as well as past nominees.
Biden v Trump
Trump reportedly enjoys overcooked steaks — along with all manner of fast food, especially Big Macs. Not our jam at Cooks Without Borders! But potato chips, which he also loves (who doesn’t?), definitely are. Biden, on the other hand, adores chocolate chip ice cream, and likes to keep bunches of red grapes on hand.
Potato chips certainly make great TV munchies; so do red grapes, though they’re not in season (if you’re seeing them now, they’re probably from South America).
If you want a salty snack from the Democratic side, go with nuts: Peanuts were Jimmy Carter’s trademark, and Barack Obama was teased for snacking on exactly “seven lightly salted almonds” every evening.
More substantial fare
Presidents, and presidential candidates, have tended to have rather simple tastes — with a few notable exceptions. (We’re looking at you, Thomas Jefferson and John Kerry.) Even JFK, who famously brought in a French chef, René Verdon, to head the White House kitchen, liked simple things, according to the John F. Kennedy President Museum and Library, such as “lamb chops, steak, baked chicken, turkey (white meat) and mashed potatoes. He also was fond of seafood and baked beans.”
John Kerry — who was the Democratic nominee in 2004 (and later served as Secretary of State under President Obama) — was a closet gourmand. On the campaign trail he acted like a burger guy, but apparently it was all for show. “After the Kerry party chewed their burgers and slurped their Diet Cokes and Frosties,” reported the New York Times Magazine, “they retreated to their bus, where they were greeted with a meal smuggled in from the Newburgh Yacht Club: shrimp vindaloo, grilled diver sea scallops and prosciutto-wrapped stuffed chicken.” His opponent George Bush père, for his part, was known more for what he hated (broccoli!) than what he loved.
Chilled Pea Soup with Mint: a favorite of W
The second Bush president was actually fond of something that would make an outstanding debate-night TV dinner: Fresh pea soup with mint. This is according to Foodtimeline.org, which cites the late Walter Scheib, who was W’s White House chef.
We happen to have a fantastic recipe for it — though ours uses frozen peas (a state secret!).
Served chilled, Ridiculously Easy Minted Pea Soup makes a fine debate-night TV dinner.
RECIPE: Chilled Minted Pea Soup
From enchiladas to quinoa to salmon: Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton was partial to chicken enchiladas when he was president, and our Chicken Enchiladas Verdes would make a delightful debate-nite treat — especially as it can be made ahead and re-heated just before showtime.
Pre-plant-based Bill Clinton would probably have loved these chicken enchiladas.
You can serve the enchiladas on their own, or with Mexican Rice or Frijoles de Olla — or both!
RECIPE: Chicken Enchiladas Verdes
Later, for health reasons (a quadruple bypass!), Clinton adopted a strict vegan diet, and was said to eat a lot of quinoa. That makes me think he would love a spin on tabbouleh that comes from the Zahav cookbook: It swaps quinoa for bulghur and includes peas, parsley, red onion and mint.
Also great for debate night.
RECIPE: Zahav’s Quinoa, Pea and Mint Tabbouleh
Clinton wound up adding fish into his plant-based diet at the behest of his doctor, who wanted to steer him toward “good, quality protein” and not as much starch.
Poached salmon! What could be more perfect for a summertime TV dinner? Again, it’s entirely make-ahead, and it has the advantage of being served cold.
Cold Poached Salmon: Great for Clinton, but don’t offer this to Biden.
RECIPE: Cold Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce
Do not, however, offer poached salmon to President Biden, should he stop by your place for dinner while he’s on the campaign trail. According to his sister, Val, he is not a fan.
Reagan loved mac and cheese
According to Foodtimeline.org, Ronald Reagan stuck with the “plain foods of his early days” once he landed in the White House. “These include such homey dishes as Macaroni and Cheese, Meat Loaf, and Hamburger Soup.” Hamburger soup! Mac and cheese sounds better, and even it’s a bit wintry, it’s also super comforting — which we may appreciate on a night that’s bound to be divisive.
RECIPE: Classic Mac and Cheese
Chocolate chip ice cream — and then some
Whatever you choose on the savory side, President Biden’s favorite treat will be a great way to finish. Or maybe you’ll be watching from the East Coast, where the debate starts at 9 p.m., the perfect hour for ice cream.
You could go buy a pint or two of garden-variety chocolate chip, or you could whip up something really special: homemade Gianduja-Stracciatella Gelato.
The Italians, you see, invented chocolate chip ice cream — with a method known as stracciatella. To achieve it, you add melted chocolate to your ice cream when it’s done being churned, but still in the ice-cream machine: When it hits the ice cream, it hardens into “chips.”
Gianduja is a Piedmontese confection combining hazelnut paste and dark chocolate; it’s the inspiration for Nutella. Streaked with stracciatella, it’s outrageously good. Our recipe’s adapted from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz.
RECIPE: Gianduja-Stracciatella Gelato
Don’t forget to tune in Thursday evening!