The major undertaking of a food exhibit, “What’s Cooking Uncle Sam,” a pop-up restaurant, American Eats Tavern, and a cookbook, Eating with Uncle Sam, has added a whole new chapter to the collections from the Archives and the Presidential libraries. Yes, food has played an important role in our history and much of what we do and comment on today within the universe of food has its earliest roots tied into a major document that has been preserved. Think of the current trendy chef movement toward the healthy concept of Meatless Mondays. It was during World War II that Americans were asked to have a meatless day (Tuesday) and such a tradition remained a strong staple of households many years after the War ended.

Touring the exhibit at the Archives gives one a bountiful repast of our history and how food evolved within the culture. Dining nearby at the Jose Andres restaurant (America Eats Tavern), lets one celebrate our history with a taste of the original recipes. After all how many types of Catsup have evolved over the years! A good way to test your palate. Now it all comes together with this new book.

One of the most discussed posters in the exhibit is entitled “Eat the Carp” which serves as an introduction to the fish chapter which includes a recipe for Paprikosh (1917-20) which today we might call a fish hash. Or try Lady Bird Johnson’s famous Shrimp Squash Casserole.

If sweets are more to your liking, there are plenty of recipes to try including Aunt Sammy’s Radio Recipe of Fruit Cake. After all, we wonder how some recipes ever evolved! How about a recipe for Fondant with the accompanying 1917-19 poster “Sugar: Save It.”

These little tastes should help you set a table of historical recipes. If you can’t make it to the Archives before the exhibit closes in early January, then take a You Tube tour.

In the meantime, enjoy the history and the recipes as you recognize the importance of keeping records.

Now a little background. The National Archives is the Nation’s repository of history, and the impressive food collection is a vital piece of that history. They have culled their materials to create an exhibit which will open June 10, 2011. “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” will showcase 85 original records which trace the origins of the programs and the legislation aimed at the food supply and reflect the effects government programs have had on our food choices and preferences. Visitors will have an opportunity to examihttp://www.allbeforecoffee.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=8289&action=edit&message=10ne letters, diaries, photos, and maps from the collection. The Exhibition will focus on four broad themes: Farm, factory, kitchen, and table.

Then there is the world of internationally recognized Spanish chef Jose Andres who makes his home in Washington, DC and is the master of the restaurant scene with his restaurants under the creative arm of his ThinkFood Group. Andres will serve as the Chief Culinary Advisor to the exhibit. He calls himself a “cook and a storyteller,” and his most humble story, apropos to this exhibit, is his own personal success and achievements in his adopted country. Andres’s passion for food and how it can teach us to understand nations and history will become evident in the July 4th opening of his newest endeavor, America Eats Tavern. It is no coincidence that this pop-up 6-month restaurant will be on 8th Street within view of the Archives and in the Cafe Atlantico space which will move to  a new home.

Andres believes that chefs tell a story and that this restaurant, opening in collaboration with the Archives exhibit and in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives, will expand food knowledge for all visitors. This unique, first-of-a-kind partnership will open the eyes of visitors to understand our nation’s past and project them into understanding the importance of food in our culture and our heritage.

Different titles; different jobs: One Nation of Food.

Here’s a hearty protein to start with: National Chicken Month. Lotsa ways to celebrate this one from finding new recipes to supporting producers of organic and heritage birds.

It’s also a sweet month: It’s National Honey Month. The Honey Board’s website makes it easy for parents and youngsters to find teaching activities about honey or bees, and some easy recipes.

Now my new food weakness: Mushrooms. September is National Mushroom Month and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (considered the Mushroom Capital of the World) celebrates with the 24th Annual Mushroom Festival. Maybe one of the best nutritional tidbits about mushrooms is their natural Vitamin D content. With everyone screaming about testing for low Vitamin D levels: Do yourself a favor, enjoy mushrooms.

The list goes on, and some foods are celebrated for a week or a single day. (Starting on the 6th is National Waffle Week). The possibilities for a week or a day’s celebration are only limited by your imagination.

September, a back-to-reality month, is just a warm up for October’s great party: Virginia Wine Month.

We have heard the call and will move forward. I love the idea that this President understands how we must once again regain our leadership role in the world. Americans are obviously ready to help–2 million people standing outside for hours in less than ideal temperatures says it all. They shouted the President’s name and wore a variety of outfits showing their support. My favorite was a t-shirt with the new President’s face adorning a big S, Superman body–this shirt may have said it all. We are looking for a superhero and have found one, our new rock star who happens to be our new President, Barack Obama.

Just saying the name and the title together brings both a smile and a sense of relief. We are under a new administration and the city and the Nation are abuzz with the prospect that things will change. Hope has arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and the world should sleep better knowing that change has come and America is back. We need time but we can attain all our greatness under this leadership.

Listen, world, hear us roar. We are coming back. I plan to sleep well tonight. We can become that great Nation we all want.

Good night.

I may not be there at this moment in time, but I’ve been there: the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Too many times to count. Yes, have stopped in Wilmington; find the train station in need of a little facelift, but who’s looking at that today. An hour stopover–great, and with a special passenger:  the conductor of vice-president elect Joe Biden’s trips on the Acela. That’s sweet.

Then on to Baltimore where people have been gathering for hours, and finally on to Union Station–my station, my base. I’m with him every step of the way, even though I am inside, just watching and smiling.

Love the morning Newsweek polls. People do have confidence that President-elect Obama can do it. How about those daughters; they told him what he needed to do. It will be great to have young opinionmakers in residence. We need their input and the charming way that daughters can speak to dads. The country needs the vibrancy, the liveliness of a leader who mirrors what we all want for this great country.

What an exciting day. Gotta go. Mighta missed a comment, a chapter of history. Stay tuned.