Some Recipes from Julia Dent Grant

donna

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Forum Host
Joined
May 12, 2010
Location
Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
Julia Dent Grant was the wife of Ulysses Grant and she loved to entertain. When she was First Lady, she had the White House serve elegant 29-course meals and the menus were done in French. It was said people had to get up and take an intermission before they could finish. She also had a stewart from Italy.

The Grant's daughter, Nellie's Wedding is suppose to be the standard for all White House Wedding. At the wedding breakfast, there was soft crabs on toast, chicken croquettes and peas, aspic of beef tongue, broiled spring chicken, strawberries with cream, wedding and other fancy cakes, ice cream and ices.

Mrs Grant's favorite beverage to serve was Roman Punch.

Recipe for Roman Punch inspired by Julia Grant.

1 quart lemon sherbert
1 cup rum
1 split (about 3/4 cup) champagne, iced.

Place sherbet in chilled bowl. Slowly mix in rum. Quickly add champagne.

Serve in sherbet glasses. Mixture should be mushy texture, to be sipped, not spooned.
 
French Vegetable Soup inspired by Julia Grant

6 cups vegetable broth ( or 6 teaspoons chicken boullon dissolved in 6 cups water)
1 can (28 0z) chopped tomatoes
2 to 3 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 can (16 0z) white beans, rinsed, drained
1 can (16 0z) french-style green beans, drained
1/4 cup uncooked vermicelli, broken in 1/2 inch pieces
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 to 2 clove garlic, pureed
grated parmesan cheese

In 3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat, bring broth, undrained tomatoes and carrots to boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer 15 minutes or until carrot is slightly tender. Chop basil fine by hand or in food processor.

Add white and green beans and vermicelli to tomato mixture. Simmer until pasta is done. Stir in basil, soy sauce, garlic and a little parmesan to taste.

Makes 6 servings.

The soup has been interpreted by Steve Brawley of Kirkwood who has interest in recipes of the First Ladies.
 
I am going to try to see if my library can get the children's book, "What was Cooking in Julia Grant's White House" by Tanya Larkin. It is suppose to describe Julia Grant's role as first lady and some of the foods that were served. There are suppose to be several of her recipes too.
 
Back
Top