Michelle Obama’s White Bean Salad
April 6, 2021
In her first years at the White House, Michelle Obama planted her own vegetable garden as a way to show her commitment to healthy eating– particularly for kids. This recipe for White Bean Salad is from the former First Lady’s cookbook, American Grown. It’s so popular it’s been shared widely online as well. It’s simple, healthy, tasty and perfect for summer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried small white beans (such as cannellini or Great Northern) or 1 15-ounce can
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon chopped shallot
- 1 cup snow peas or sugar snap peas
- 1/2 bunch fresh chives, chopped
- 5 mild radishes, such as Lady Slipper radishes, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Directions
- If you’re using dried beans, first rinse them, picking out any stones, and place in a bowl. Cover with cold water and soak for 8 hours, or overnight, then drain the beans and place in a pot. Add the garlic and bay leaf and enough water to cover the beans by at least 1 inch. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. (For canned beans, see step 3).
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, and shallot. Whisk to combine.
- When the beans are done, drain them well and place in a medium bowl. Discard the bay leaf and garlic clove. Add one-third of the vinaigrette to the warm beans and toss; then let stand for 15 minutes, tossing occasionally. If using canned beans, rinse and drain them, then toss with the vinaigrette.
- In a small pot of boiling water, cook the snow peas or sugar snap peas for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, place them in a bowl of ice water. Drain, pat dry, and slice thin.
- In a large salad bowl, place the cooled beans, snow peas, chives, radishes, and basil. Pour the remaining dressing over and toss lightly. Serve immediately.
Mamie Eisenhower’s Fudge
December 3, 2019
First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s recipe for fudge was published soon after shebecame First Lady in 1953. The fudge recipewas an immediate hit with American families. It consequently becamedubbed “Mamie’s Million Dollar Fudge.” It’s simple to make,…
Thanksgiving Recipe Favorites from the American Moms
November 19, 2019
Each of these Thanksgivingrecipes graced the dinner tables of some of our most famous presidents (and are also reader favorites) andwill strike up some fun conversations this Thanksgiving.Sure, anyone can serve plain old stuffing or pecan…
Bill Clinton’s Acorn Squash and Leek Soup with Toasted Pecans
March 27, 2019
The original recipe for this Acorn Squash and Leek Soupwas from the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum and is now printed in thecookbook, Eating with Uncle Sam: Recipes and Historical Bites from the National…
Thomas Jefferson’s Favorite Christmas Cookie
December 12, 2018
These perfectly crackled molasses “ginger cakes”are said to be Thomas Jefferson’s favorite Christmas cookies (they’re similar to gingerbread cookies). They’re called Ginger Cakes and if you are ever visiting Colonial Williamsburg, you can find these delectable…
Lyndon B. Johnson’s Pedernales River Chili
November 27, 2018
“Chili concocted outside Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing. One of the first things I do when I get home to Texas is to have a bowl of red. There is…
Nancy Reagan’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie
November 14, 2018
Nancy Reagan lays claim on this recipe– at least according to a National Archives handoutcard with this recipe and her signature on it. Though even her own children have reportedthat she never cooked (“Nancy? We didn’t…
Mamie Eisenhower’s Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
November 14, 2018
Mamie Eisenhower is probably the First Lady with the most famous Pumpkin Pie recipe. Though she was primarilyknown as a gracious hostess whoentertained an unprecedented number of heads of state and leaders from around the world,…
Abraham Lincoln Election Cake
October 31, 2018
This isn’t just any cake. This is Election Cake– Abraham Lincoln’s Election Cake. And it goes way back— I’m talking all the way back to the 13 original colonies kind of ‘way back.’ In the early…
Martha Washington’s Crab Soup
October 24, 2018
This recipe for Martha Washington’s Crab Soup was found in The First Ladies Cook Book under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s section of favorite recipes. Apparently the first First Lady’s Crab Soup was well-loved by the Roosevelt family…
