Thanksgiving recipes from America’s first families — presidential dishes to try at home

Across generations, America’s first families have celebrated Thanksgiving not just with speeches and ceremonies, but with dishes that tell stories of home. TRUMP KICKS OFF THANKSGIVING WEEK WITH TURKEY PARDON AND CHRISTMAS TREE ARRIVALFrom spicy deviled eggs inspired by the Bushes’ Texas roots to the Reagans’ pumpkin pecan pie, these presidential recipes offer a delicious glimpse into the tastes that once graced the nation’s most famous dining room.Herbert and Lou Hoover’s Marshmallow Sweet PotatoesIngredients6 sweet potatoes2 tablespoons of butter2 cups chopped walnutsNutmegSaltCreamMarshmallowsInstructions1. Boil the sweet potatoes until tender. Drain well.2. Mash the potatoes thoroughly with a potato masher, making sure to remove any strings.3. Add butter, then season with nutmeg and salt to taste (start with small amounts and adjust as you like).4. Pour in cream gradually, mixing until the potatoes reach a smooth, soft consistency.5. Fold in the chopped walnuts.6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.7. Top with marshmallows and return to the oven. Bake until the marshmallows are lightly browned and the top is golden.George and Laura Bush’s Deviled EggsIngredients12 large eggs, boiled hard and peeled1 tablespoon (plus) soft butter1 tablespoon (plus) mayonnaise1 tablespoon Dijon mustard1/2 teaspoon Yucatán Sunshine Habanero sauce (can be substituted for another hot sauce)Salt to tasteInstructions1. Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove the yolks. Set the egg white halves aside.2. Place the yolks in a food processor and add the mustard, Habanero sauce, and salt.3. Process for about 20 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth and well blended.4. Taste and adjust seasoning—add a bit more mustard, salt, or hot sauce if desired.5. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip, and pipe the filling into the egg white halves.6. Sprinkle with paprika and chopped parsley for color and flavor.7. Chill for about 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.Note: The Bush family favored Yucatán Sunshine Habanero sauce so much while living in Texas that their White House chef incorporated it into a variety of dishes.Gerald and Betty Ford’s Celery StuffingIngredients1 medium onion, chopped1 celery stalk, chopped⅓ cup of butter2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning2 tablespoons of chopped parsley1 teaspoon of salt5 cups of diced stale bread1 cup of giblet broth2 eggs, beatenInstructions1. Sauté the onions and celery in butter over medium heat until tender but not browned.2. In a large bowl, combine the bread and seasonings.3. Add the sauteed vegetables to the bread mixture and toss gently to mix.4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the giblet broth and eggs.5. Pour the broth mixture over the stuffing, stirring until evenly moistened and well combined.PUMPKIN OR APPLE? AMERICA’S FIERCEST THANKSGIVING DESSERT DEBATE HEATS UPIke and Mamie Eisenhower’s Deep Dish Apple PieIngredients6 tart apples1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup brown sugar1/2 teaspoon nutmegGrated rind of 1 lemonGrated rind of 1 orange3 tablespoons butter or margarine1/2 pastry recipe (below)Pastry ingredients2 cups flour3/4 teaspoon salt2/3 cup shorteningCold waterPastry instructions1. Sift the flour once to measure accurately.2. Mix and sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl.3. Cut in the shortening using two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with pieces about the size of small peas.4. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cold water over the mixture and toss lightly with a fork.5. Continue adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition, until the dough gathers together into a soft ball.6. Divide the dough in half.7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half to about ⅛ inch thickness. Handle the rolling pin lightly to avoid overworking the dough.8. Use as desired for two 9-inch pie crusts.Note: For a deep-dish or single-crust pie, make half this recipe.10 ESSENTIALS YOU NEED TO HOST A STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER Instructions1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).2. Grease a deep baking dish and arrange the apple slices evenly inside.3. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg, lemon rind, and orange rind.4. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples.5. Dot with butter or margarine.6. Cover with a thin sheet of pastry, pricking the top with a fork to create a simple design and allow steam to escape.7. Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender, about 25–30 minutes.8. Serve warm. Makes about six servings.Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s Pumpkin Pecan PieIngredients4 slightly beaten eggs2 cups canned or mashed cooked pumpkin1 cup sugar1/2 cup dark corn syrup1 teaspoon vanilla1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon salt1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell1 cup chopped pecansInstructions1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).2. Combine all ingredients except the pecans, mixing until smooth.3. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell.4. Arrange the pecans evenly over the top.5. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned.6. Cool before serving to allow the filling to firm up.