Forget this political campaign: time to go back to a simpler time, when this was the most pressing issue in a campaign:
Who Wants A Slice Of President John Tyler’s “Sugar Pie”?
You don’t get asked that question every day! I love politics, and I love food, so why not the best Presidential food recipes of all time? And it’s from America’s most “prolific” President – in the bedroom!
Meet America’s 10th President!
John Tyler was America’s 10th president, from 1841 to 1845. He assumed office after the death of President William Henry Harrison, who passed away from pneumonia after just a month in the White House.
Here is what Harrison looked like while spending his single month in office:
His “Accidency!”
After the shocking death of President Harrison, Tyler took over the office and was immediately nicknamed “His Accidency,” – because Tyler was the first vice president to become chief executive due to the death of his predecessor.
Among his accomplishments was the 1845 annexation of Texas. However, Tyler was also part of the political force that led to the horrific Civil War. Before he died, Tyler voted for Virginia’s secession from the Union and was part of the Confederate Congress.
President Tyler’s Confederate Betrayal!
Because of Tyler’s involvement with the Confederacy movement, President Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. government did not publicly acknowledge Tyler’s death, as the Virginian was seen as a traitor to the Union!
John Tyler – Party Boy!
Let’s step back for a moment and look at another aspect of this controversial President. From a personal tragedy, Tyler went on to shock the country!
Tyler’s first wife, Letitia, suffered a stroke and died in 1842. She was the first “first lady” to ever die while her Husband was in office.
America’s Sexiest First Lady!
Tyler soon squired Julia Gardner, a 22-year-old nicknamed the “Rose of Long Island”. Yes, she was thirty years younger!
America’s Most Prolific President!
In 1844, John Tyler became the first president to marry while in office. The couple went on to have seven children. With a total of 15 offspring from his two marriages, Tyler fathered more children than any other U.S. president in history.
Julia is remembered by many historians as one of the most beautiful First Ladies ever!
Now, time to have some pie!
President Tyler’s Famous Sugar Pie!
This pie became hugely popular because it was President Tyler’s favorite – and it is also known as “sugar pie”. Here is the easy recipe:
Ingredients:
Flour
Puff Pastry, 1 sheet
3 Tbsp butter
3 eggs and 1 egg yolk, well beaten
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup coconut, lightly toasted and more for top
2 pints fresh raspberries
Powdered sugar for top (optional)
First, cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer. Then add the well-beaten eggs, along with heavy cream and grated coconut. Mix by hand. Roll out puff pastry on a well-floured surface. Place in a pie mold. Bake in a hot 450F oven for 10 minutes, until pastry sets. Add filling, then reduce the heat to 350F and cook another 25 minutes, or until pudding pie is firm. Cover pastry with tin foil if it starts to get too much color. Remove from oven and cool. Top with fresh raspberries and sprinkle with powdered sugar (optional).
Lincoln Cakes and Washington Pies!
There are many great recipes that came from the White House kitchen.
Here is a great blog that discusses them all:
http://researchingfoodhistory.blogspot.com/2011/02/presidents-cakes-pies-jumbles-and.html
President Obama also gave us a delicious treat:
Obama Beer!
Raise a glass and say “Ale To The Chief!” Here is the recipe for Obama’s White House beer:
https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/07/ale-to-the-chief-president-obamas-beer-plus-classic-beer-ads/
Back to President Tyler’s fifteen children: yes, he was a party boy to be sure, but he wasn’t the only President with that reputation!
That’s right, this guy was a wild man as well! Read all about President Warren G. Harding’s White House shenanigans here:
Leave me a comment and let me know if you want a slice of President Tyler’s “sugar Pie!”
