Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Meal: Chicken Fry Lecture Notes

Context and Historical Background

• Era: Mid-1860s, during the American Civil War.
• Key Figure: President Abraham Lincoln.
  • Known for his tall and lean stature.
  • Worked tirelessly to unite the North and South.
  • Under immense pressure, impacted his eating habits.

Mary Todd Lincoln's Efforts

• Goal: To help Abraham Lincoln find comfort and ensure he ate well.
• Strategy: Prepared one of his favorite dishes, Chicken Fry.
• Additional Favorites: Biscuits and apple pie.
• Social Dining: Invited guests to ensure Lincoln would sit down and eat.

Chicken Fry: Historical Recipe

• Origin: French technique, meaning to break down or brown, usually with sauce or gravy.
• Traditional Ingredients:
  • Whole chicken (cut into pieces like legs, thighs, wings, breast).
  • Seasoning: Marjoram, mace, a little nutmeg, salt, pepper.

Modern Preparation Adjustments

• Ingredient Choice: Using skinless, deboned chicken thighs for flavor.
• Additional Seasoning: Ground mustard added to traditional spices.

Cooking Method

• Traditional Cooking: Skillet on a wood stove with a lid.
• Modern Adaptation: Dutch oven with half a stick of butter melted.
• Steps:
  1. Season chicken with ground mustard, marjoram, mace, coarse black pepper, salt, and freshly grated nutmeg.
  2. Place chicken in the Dutch oven, ensuring it is coated with a butter and cream mixture.
  3. Simmer on medium-low heat for 30-45 minutes until fork tender.
  4. Remove chicken and thicken the remaining broth with sifted flour for gravy.
  5. Return chicken to the pot to coat with gravy.
  6. Serve with biscuits.

Reflections and Anecdotes

• Abraham Lincoln: Enjoyed music, particularly traditional Irish ballads.
• Story: Anecdote about Lincoln riding a short horse, eventually getting a tall horse named Old Bob.
• Common Interests: Similarities between lecture presenter and Lincoln, such as splitting wood and using Studebaker wagons.

Final Thoughts

• Dish Review:
  • Chicken and gravy turned out flavorful with a hint of holidays due to the mace and nutmeg.
  • Complemented well with homemade biscuits.
• Historical Reverence: Tribute to Lincoln and the significance of history.
• Closing Blessing: Prayer expressing gratitude and honoring servicemen and women.

Conclusion

• Message: Encourage sharing history and meals with others as a form of bonding and remembrance.
• Sign-off: Appreciation for the audience and a nod to the importance of community and tradition.