It’s election year again and we can’t think of any time in history that’s been more divisive. As neighbors clash over opposing viewpoints, political tensions reach their peak, cities burn to the ground, and candidates and flies alike battle for the limelight, finding common ground is more difficult than ever. But over here at PWA we’re just staying focused on planning our menu for election night. If there is one thing we learned from our year on the road, it is that there is nothing that brings people together quite like a good meal. So whether you lean left or lean right, grab a plate and lean into these delicious dishes.
Cocktail Hour
There’s no better way to relax your nerves and kick off election night than with a well-crafted cocktail. We liked the idea of a mixing up a Jack Rose as a wink to our first President, and king of the apple trees, George Washington. This cocktail’s first name is derived from applejack, the liquor used in its creation. Applejack was the original American spirit and was very popular during colonial times. It’s going to be a long night, so one should do the trick!
Laird’s, the brand of Applejack we picked up dates back to 1698. Around 1760, George Washington himself asked the Laird family for their recipe and soon after introduced Applejack to the Colony of Virginia. It is now produced by craft distillers in the same fashion that it has been for the last three centuries.
Ingredients
2 1/2 ounces applejack
3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/2 ounce grenadine
Lemon twist
Steps
– Add applejack, lemon juice, grenadine, and ice to a shaker and shake well.
– Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
– Garnish with a lemon twist
Small Savory Bites
If you’re in mixed company, you could likely already cut the tension in the room, so we think it’s best to serve foods that don’t require any knives. Bite-sized grab-n-go snacks are optimal for election night when there’s no time (or patience) to sit down for a full multi-course meal. Surely, as results start pouring in, you’ll be pacing the room. Keep your anxiety at bay and save your nails by biting into this assortment of savory snacks instead.
Partisan Parmesan Fries
It was the Renaissance man, Thomas Jefferson, who brought the cuisine of Europe to America. He was a president with an elegant palate and appreciation for fine wine. In fact, Thomas Jefferson was America’s first true lover of wine and the godfather of American Viticulture. He believed the soil and climate in Virginia to be better suited for grape growing than that of Italy. Jefferson once wrote a letter to George Washington telling him that the best wine in the world would be grown in Virginia. He planted his first vines in Monticello in 1774.
In 1785, Thomas Jefferson started his role as America’s Minister to France, which essentially just turned into a three month wine tasting journey around France and Italy. One of the most expensive bottles ever sold at auction was that of a 1787 Château Lafite Bordeaux, supposedly owned by Jefferson himself. Was this bottle actually owned by America’s 3rd president or was it the masterful creation of a counterfeiter? If you want to find out more about the intriguing tale, pick up a copy of Billionaire’s Vinegar, which makes for an excellent in-flight read.
Jefferson introduced us to pommes frites, or french fries, which didn’t gain popularity until the 1900s. In addition to the fries, he also fancied parmesan, which is how this election night bite came to be. Russet potatoes turned parmesan crusted fries, with a sprinkling of rosemary and garlic for ultimate pleasure.
Most of us can probably agree we have a fondness for fries. The biggest debate here is what to dip them in. A partisan issue, no doubt, but we took a poll and opted to dunk our fries in a ranch dressing.
Assassination Crustaceans
In honor of Lincoln and JFK, two of the four assassinated US Presidents, we bring you a twin serving of shrimp. When it comes to this popular crustacean, the great debate in our house is always steamed or fried? This election night there will be enough disappointment with only one candidate claiming victory, so give the people what they want and plate up both!
“Es”Steamed Shrimp – A salute to the beloved and esteemed late President, John F. Kennedy, who possessed a refined palate and fondness for seafood. Paired with a classic cocktail sauce, this is a bipartisan offering that all attendees can agree upon.
Coconut Shrimp – Did you know that Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation to create the U.S. Secret Service? Well, the secret to serving up the best fried shrimp is to add dried unsweetened coconut to your batter. Probably not a dish that ever appeared on Abe’s plate, the simplistic eater that he was, but these coconut shrimp are destined to disappear as soon as they hit the table. We served ours with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
Impeachment Poppers
We have Bill Clinton to thank for these darling little crowd pleasers. Though out of season, peaches were an Aldi find this time around and we couldn’t help but have flashbacks to 1998 and his famous declaration, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman!”
A few different preparations of the peaches came to mind, but in the end, these creamy crostini bites won the popular vote. A mixture of goat and cream cheeses gives this snack a lush, decadent flavor. We charred our peaches to make the overall dish extra sublime. It was pointed out that we missed a golden opportunity to garnish with mint, but absentee ballots were not accepted from those not present during the election night bites recipe voting process, and so basil was the crostini king’s crown.
Broccoli Bombshells
If any bombs are going to be dropping on election night, we hope it’s these broccoli-filled ones. Whether for its uncanny resemblance to the Acacia tree (a well-known symbol and prominent fixture in Kenya) or to be at odds with George Bush’s disapproval of the cruciferous green vegetable, Obama publicly stated in 2013 that his favorite food is an unlikely one – broccoli. Though a surprising choice, it became a welcome addition to our election night menu. A little greenery and subsequent boost of vitamin C never hurts at a time when free radicals and radical ideals alike are running rampant.
Most preparations of broccoli aren’t exactly finger foods, but we found the solution. Empanadas! The eye-catching, crispy, golden, fried empanada dough becomes the ideal Trojan Horse to usher in a healthy dose of cheesy, chicken & broccoli goodness. We paired ours with a spicy peanut sauce to kick up the flavor. These pillow-y noshes were inspired by this recipe, but our failed attempt at locating eggroll wrappers left us no choice but to reimagine the dish, just as many Bernie supporters have been forced to do with their vote this election.
Sweet Treat
Bad days call for chocolate – and let’s face it – for at least half of the nation, election day is a bad one. Instead of mindlessly eating your way through a carton of ice-cream to dull the pain, indulge in a simply prepared homemade peanut butter & chocolatey treat.
Buckeyes
President Harry Truman popularized the phrase, “the buck stops here!” He even kept a sign saying so on his desk in the oval office.
Buck passing is generally considered a bad thing, but we’re completely okay with having the buckeye passed here. In fact, make it two – or three.
Final Thoughts
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” — Abraham Lincoln
Whether the glass you’re raising this year is red or blue, remember we’re all American; So stuff your vote in the ballot box and some delicious food in your face.
Cheers friends,
Megan + Matt
