My
guest was Sarah Hood Saloman with her book; Politics & Pot Roast: An
Unofficial, Unauthorized & Completely Unclassified Cookbook
Labeled a "bipartisan cookbook," this takes a lighthearted approach to Two popular subject areas-food and politics. Organized chronologically, it contains recipes associated with each of the 43 presidents, from Washington's "Mount Vernon's Colonial Peanut and Chestnut Soup" to Laura Bush's "Cowboy Cookies." Many of the older recipes also include an "updated" version, with quantities, baking times, and temperatures spelled out for the modern cook. There are also anecdotes about each president and his family, as well as White House history, to place the recipes in context. First ladies are given their due, with many of the recipes attributed to them. The plentiful political cartoon-styled illustrations add to the book and make for a humorous approach to presidential dining. As far as the recipes themselves go, they provide a nice selection, including entrées, side dishes, and desserts. While not a new idea, this puts a human face on the presidency and is a way to trace the country's history through changing tastes.