It is Presidents Day today. Do you have a special dinner planned for this holiday?
Well, some of us might not even know what we are having for dinner tonight on Presidents Day, right?
We have some helpful ideas for pulling together a last-minute dinner but first, you might find some inspiration from food favorites of our past presidents.
Here are some favorite foods of past US Presidents:
George Washington: It's said that George Washington loved cherries and enjoyed a simple meal of mashed sweet potatoes and roast duck.
Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson was a lover of French cuisine and is said to have brought his own French chef back from Paris to the White House to prepare his favorite French dishes.
Abraham Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln is said to have enjoyed simple foods such as cornbread, bacon, and apples.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Franklin D. Roosevelt was known to be a lover of seafood and particularly clam chowder. At baseball games, he especially enjoyed hot dogs.
John F. Kennedy: John F. Kennedy enjoyed New England clam chowder. He was also known to be a lover of fine French cuisine.
Ronald Reagan: Ronald Reagan had sweet tooth and jellybeans were how he gave in to his sugar cravings. He kept a jar of jelly beans on his desk in the Oval Office. His favorite flavor was licorice.
Bill Clinton: Bill Clinton was known for his love of fast food and was often seen eating burgers and fries.
Barack Obama: Barack Obama loved chili. He would often make it himself in the White House kitchen.
Theodore Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt was a meat lover. A hearty meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and gravy was he standard meal.
Dwight D. Eisenhower: Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoyed a breakfast of steak, eggs, and bacon. His favorite dessert was prune whip. (regular I guess)
Richard Nixon: Richard Nixon had a thing for cottage cheese with ketchup.
Jimmy Carter: Jimmy Carter no surprise was a fan of southern cooking. He enjoyed dishes such as fried chicken and grits. Sort of expected peanuts to have been mentioned.
George H.W. Bush: George H.W. Bush loved seafood. He especially enjoyed barbecuing lobster at his family's summer home in Maine.
Bill Clinton: In addition to fast food, Bill Clinton also loved southern comfort food such as chicken and dumplings with a dessert of peach cobbler.
George W. Bush: George W. Bush loves Tex-Mex cuisine. He is known for his love of nachos and queso dip.
Donald Trump: Donald Trump and fast food go together. His know favorites are McDonald's and KFC. Not sure which of those was his top pick though.
These are just a few more examples of the favorite foods of past US Presidents, which also offers a glimpse into their individual personalities and cultural backgrounds.
You are not alone if you have not planned ahead for a patriotic dinner.
Here are ten ideas for an easy menu for a Presidents Day dinner celebration.
1. Hamburgers and or hot dogs: A classic American meal that's easy to make and perfect for a casual dinner. Did I say hot dogs? At least unlike Queen Elizabeth, you will not need a lesson on how to eat them.
2. Chili and cornbread: Warm and filling, chili is a great option for a winter dinner. Here is the Obama family chili recipe.
3. Bring home some Big Macs and Happy Meals in the honor of a couple of former presidents.
You don't feel like driving? Well, then click here for Mc Delivery and get your Mickey D's delivered right to your front door.
4. Thinking of George W. serve up a little TexMex meal with Quesadillas. Fill a tortilla with cheese and any other fillings you like, such as chicken, black beans, or vegetables. Cook in a pan until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
5. Beef stew: Another hearty option for a winter evening, beef stew is easy to prepare and will warm you up from the inside out. Hint: Open a can of Dinty Moore Beef Stew.
6. Baked potato bar: Bake potatoes in the oven or microwave, then set out toppings like butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped bacon, and green onions for everyone to customize their own potato.
7. Grilled cheese sandwiches: Serve up some classic grilled cheese sandwiches with Campbell's Tomato Soup for a comforting dinner. Here's an old standby from the Eisenhower years.
8. BBQ chicken: Grill or bake some chicken and slather with barbecue sauce for a finger-licking good meal.
9. Pizza: Order or make your own pizza with your favorite toppings for a quick and easy dinner.
10. Breakfast for dinner: Make breakfast burritos by scrambling eggs and filling tortillas with the eggs. Add toppings like shredded cheese, salsa, sausage, or avocado. Or, whip up a frittata by whisking eggs and cooking them with veggies and cheese in a skillet until set.
You could kick your Presidents Day dinner up a notch with a red, white and blue theme. How about Play some patriotic music? Create a festive atmosphere by playing some classic American patriotic songs.
Watch patriotic movies. Gather round and watch patriotic movies such as Lincoln, Kennedy, Hamilton, or National Treasure. This is a great way to learn more about American history and soak up some together time.