by Blair Worthington

Created on: February 22, 2011   Last Updated: March 31, 2011

It’s the third Monday in the month of February, which means it is President’s Day. Traditionally called Washington’s Birthday, this federal holiday is now coined President’s Day in honor of all the American presidents. To observe this holiday, we reflect back on the men who have shaped this country and played such a valuable role in our nation’s history. On this Presidents Day, why not consider preparing some classic American dishes that found favor in the taste buds of the founding fathers?

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

It is reported that George Washington’s eating preferences were rather simple. Living at Mount Vernon, the family’s home was self-sufficient and contained rolling acreage to sustain large herds of livestock, crops and fruit orchards. There were also facilities at Mount Vernon to smoke and cure meat so that the pork and beef could be preserved appropriately.

The legendary story of the cherry tree cannot be ignored when it comes to young George Washington. As the story goes, when George was approximately six years old, his father gave him a hatchet. George became quite fond of the hatchet and went about chopping down just about anything he could find. In his gusto of chopping, he chopped the bark of a young English cherry tree which was prized by his father. His father later noticed that the tree had died and asked young George if he knew who had killed his favorite tree.  Hence, George owned up to the deed and admitted, “I cannot tell a lie, Father, I did cut it with my little hatchet.” 

George was reported to be fond of all fruit, including cherries. We can honor George Washington, the Father of our country by baking a sweet cherry pie. Below is a simple recipe that boasts old-fashioned flavor but is convenient to make.

Simply Delicious Old Fashioned Cherry Pie

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups of pitted ground cherries

½ cup golden brown sugar, packed

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon water

One  9” pie shell

Topping:

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash the cherries and place in unbaked pie shell. Mix brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour and sprinkle over cherries. Sprinkle water on top.

Mix together the 3 tablespoons of flour and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Cut butter in until crumbly. Top the cherry mixture with crumbs.

Bake for 15 minutes in 425 degree oven. Then, reduce

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