White House Dish: Chef Not to Laura’s Taste
After 11 years as White House chef, Walter Scheib III has been pushed out of the kitchen by First Lady Laura Bush. While Scheib says he wants to leave on a positive note, insiders say that the 'top toque' was unhappy at the Bush's insistence that he give up all French recipes and cooking techniques, and create an elaborate inaugural menu paying tribute to the brand names of a dozen top Bush campaign and GOP donors.
With Lea Berman at the helm, more 'donor dinners' expected
By Deanna Swift
WASHINGTON, DC—After 11 years as the chief chef of the White House, Walter Scheib 3rd is taking off his toque, collecting his knives, and moving on. In a statement to the press, the chef acknowledged that he had been fired due to an inability to meet the stylistic requirements of the first lady.
Mr. Scheib's removal is part of a comprehensive makeover of the social wing of the White House. Former White House social secretary Cathy Fenton was recently replaced by Lea Berman, a prominent Washington DC entertainer. Ms. Berman is expected to be involved in all aspects of White House entertaining, from food, to flowers and other decorations.
A bad taste
While Mr. Scheib was gracious in his parting words, saying that it had been an honor to serve the first lady, sources close to the chef say that his relationship with the first family had grown increasingly tense since he was asked to stop using French recipes and cooking techniques after France refused to support the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Asking a chef schooled in the culinary tradition of Escoffier to forego béchamel and beurre blanc is a major sacrifice, says historian Will Anthony, the author of a forthcoming book on the chefs who've served the White House. "It would be the equivalent of telling the president of the United States that he could never eat his beloved barbecue again," says Anthony.
Tensions were further exacerbated, say sources close to the chef, by White House orders that Scheib create a special inaugural menu to honor the brand names represented by more than a dozen top GOP and Bush campaign donors. Scheib was reportedly vocal about his unhappiness over having to create dishes that featured such ingredients as Coca-Cola, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Pilgrim's Pride Whole Butter Basted Turkeys.
Money on the menu
The menu that Scheib ultimately composed, served at three candlelight inaugural dinners, is a testimony to the chef's ingenuity. He brined the Pilgrim's Pride turkeys in Coca-Cola, before stuffing them with sweet-and-savory stuffing made from Dunkin Donuts old-fashioned cake doughnuts. (Pilgrim CEO Lonnie Pilgrim was a Bush pioneer in 2004, pledging to bring in more than $100,000 in contributions to the Bush/Cheney campaign, while Dunkin Donut is a long-time GOP contributor). (Click thumbnail to enlarge menu image.)
Also on the menu: Cedar Plank "Pacific Seafoods" Sockeye Salmon in "Dole Pineapple" Sauce, inspired by Bush campaign Pioneers Frank Dulcich, CEO of Pacific Seafoods, and David H. Murdock, Chair and CEO of Dole Food Co. And for dessert: more doughnuts. For the final course, Scheib paired Krispy Kreme "Snow Balls" with Nestlé "Nesquik" Hot Fudge Sauce and Asher's Chocolate Covered Mini-Pretzles, a dish that was inspired by Pioneers Joe M. Weller, Chair & CEO of Nestle USA, and Robert Asher, Chair of Ashers Candies, and by Krispy Kreme Donuts, which gave more than $90,000 to the Bush/Cheney campaign in 2004.
A new direction
It's unclear what impact the departure of Chef Scheib will have on the kind of food being served at official White House functions. But the appointment of Ms. Berman as social secretary seems to indicate that the White House plans to continue shaping meals and menus to honor major Bush donors. Ms. Berman's husband, Wayne Berman, is a long-time GOP fundraiser.
Scheib hasn't said what his future plans are. Before becoming chief chef at the White House, Scheib cooked at the Capitol Hilton in Washington and at the Boca Raton Club in Boca Raton, FL. Historian Anthony says that regardless of any bitterness between the chef and the first family, Scheib likely has a bright future ahead of him. "Former White House chefs have gone on to do great things. Look at Verdon and Mesnier," says Anthony. "Scheib has proven that he can pretty much do anything. Where else are they going to tell him he can't use a mirepoix and that he has to come up with dishes out of Coke and doughnuts?"
Coca-Cola brined Pilgrim's Pride turkey with Dunkin Donuts old-fashioned cake doughnut sweet and savory stuffing*
Coca-Cola brine
1 1/4 cups salt
1 quart Coca-Cola
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, peeled and halved
2 cloves
1 10- to 12-pound Pilgrim's Pride Whole Butter Basted Turkey
1. Place salt and Coca-Cola in a large deep pot and whisk until salt crystals dissolve. Whisk in 4 quarts cold water. Pin bay leaves to onion halves with cloves and add them to brine. Let mixture cool to room temperature.
2. Add Pilgrim's Pride turkey, placing a large heavy pot or sealed zip-top bag filled with cold water on top to keep bird submerged in Coca-Cola. Place pot in refrigerator and marinate overnight.
Dunkin Donuts old-fashioned cake doughnut sweet and savory stuffing
6 cups Dunkin Donuts old-fashioned cake doughnuts, chopped
2 cups diced onion
1/2 cup butter
2 cups cranberries
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1/2 tablespoon dried sage
1 cup chicken broth
Cook onion in butter or margarine over low heat until soft. Add doughnuts, cranberries, rosemary and sage, chicken broth, salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently but thoroughly.
Roast Turkey
Remove Pilgrim's Pride turkey from Coca-Cola brine. Thoroughly rinse turkey under a slow stream of cool water, rubbing gently to release salt and soda residue, both inside and out. Pat skin and both interior cavities dry.
Remove neck and giblets. Begin lightly spooning doughnut stuffing into the neck cavity, then into the body cavity. After the bird has been stuffed, secure the legs to the tail. If the band of skin is not present, tie the legs securely to the tail with string. Twist the wing tips under the back of the turkey so they won't overcook.
Roast turkey, breast side down, in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 2 hours. During this time, baste legs and back twice with Coca-Cola.
*Recipe provided courtesy of White House kitchen.
Deanna Swift can be reached at deannaswift1@yahoo.com.
09 aprilie 2005
08 aprilie 2005
Today at the library, on my way to my desk, I picked up a book, as I usually do, (the way to the desk takes very little time, whereas on the way back, lured by all those books, I spend at least 15 minutes looking at the shelves).
It’s a poem from „Love’s Last Madness (poems on a spiritual path) by Darshan Singh (1921-1989), considered one of the finest contemporary mystical poets in the Urdu language. Here is the poem translated into English by Barry Lerner:
I do not walk alone – love’s mad zeal is my companion:
Out of the vortex of night’s gloom i shall distill
The light of dawn.
I escaped the highway robbers, only to discover
My guides have led me far from my goal.
Were my thoughts of her loveliness to be mirrored in the cup,
Her beauty’s scintillation would add keenness to my drink.
My every step you condemn as disgrace,
Yet it was these acts of sin that filled my path with beauty.
She promised me „tomorrow”, but i could not wait:
The life granted to me proved to be too brief.
As the modern age turns away from the creed of love,
The world of enchanting beauty descends into chaos.
The more fervent i grow for her darshan, the more she feels disdain:
My anguished prayers are impotent, my weeping goes in vain.
"the Hindi word darshan means to behold and enjoy the elevating presence of a loved one, to the extent that one becomes totally lost in his or her presence."
commentary by Barry Lerner
(sent by amani)
It’s a poem from „Love’s Last Madness (poems on a spiritual path) by Darshan Singh (1921-1989), considered one of the finest contemporary mystical poets in the Urdu language. Here is the poem translated into English by Barry Lerner:
I do not walk alone – love’s mad zeal is my companion:
Out of the vortex of night’s gloom i shall distill
The light of dawn.
I escaped the highway robbers, only to discover
My guides have led me far from my goal.
Were my thoughts of her loveliness to be mirrored in the cup,
Her beauty’s scintillation would add keenness to my drink.
My every step you condemn as disgrace,
Yet it was these acts of sin that filled my path with beauty.
She promised me „tomorrow”, but i could not wait:
The life granted to me proved to be too brief.
As the modern age turns away from the creed of love,
The world of enchanting beauty descends into chaos.
The more fervent i grow for her darshan, the more she feels disdain:
My anguished prayers are impotent, my weeping goes in vain.
"the Hindi word darshan means to behold and enjoy the elevating presence of a loved one, to the extent that one becomes totally lost in his or her presence."
commentary by Barry Lerner
(sent by amani)
07 aprilie 2005
email spam as literary genre
Email spam is annoying, misleading, profitable, wasteful, etc. How about email spam as literary genre? Here's a sample, comments, as always, encouraged:
Hello, my name me'Julie. I am from Houston Texas, born and raised right here. I go to school near by and I am a big fan of football. I am actually a cheerleader in school for our school team red bears, you might of heard of them. Well anyway's, I was hoping to get off on my webcam and wanted to see if you would like to join me. I love what I do, and I will never change, I haven't told my parents yet and hopefully they will not find out any time soon!.. The thing is, my privet cam isn[t so privet, because its free ;D, just hope my dad doesn't see this Hehe.
Hello, my name me'Julie. I am from Houston Texas, born and raised right here. I go to school near by and I am a big fan of football. I am actually a cheerleader in school for our school team red bears, you might of heard of them. Well anyway's, I was hoping to get off on my webcam and wanted to see if you would like to join me. I love what I do, and I will never change, I haven't told my parents yet and hopefully they will not find out any time soon!.. The thing is, my privet cam isn[t so privet, because its free ;D, just hope my dad doesn't see this Hehe.
06 aprilie 2005
saptamana ideala
M-am trezit Luni shi m-am gandit Marti sa ma duc Miercuri la munca...Da`
cand am vazut Joi ca vine Vineri, ce dracu' sa caut Sambata la
munca...cand Duminica e zi libera!
(submisa de amani)
Subsemnatul,Penisul, cer o marire de salariu
Din urmatoarele considerente:
*Fac munca fizica.
*Muncesc la adancimi mari.
*Ma arunc cu capul inainte in tot ce fac.
*Nu imi iau liber duminica sau in sarbatori
legale.
*Lucrez intr-un mediu umed.
*Lucrez intr-un mediu intunecat si prost
ventilat.
*Lucrez in temperaturi ridicate.
*Prin munca mea sunt expus la boli contagioase.
Cu respect,
Penisul
*********************************************************
Stimate Penis,
In urma analizarii cererii Dvs. si tinand seama
De argumentele expuse, administratia a respins
cererea
Dvs. din urmatoarele motive:
*Nu lucrati 8 ore/zi incontinuu.
*Adormiti la intervale scurte de munca.
*Nu urmati intotdeauna ordinele directiunii.
*Nu stati intotdeauna la locul de munca si ati
fost vazut
deseori vizitand alte locatii.
*Nu luati initiativa.
*Trebuie sa fiti presat si stimulat pentru a
incepe munca.
*Lasati multa mizerie in urma Dvs. la sfarsitul
turei.
*Nu va supuneti intotdeauna regulilor de
protectie a muncii, ca de exemplu purtarea hainelor de
protectie corespunzatoare
*Veti intra la pensie cu mult inaintea varstei
de 65 de ani.
*Suntei incapabil sa lucrati doua schimburi la
rand.
*Uneori parasiti locul de munca inainte sa va
indepliniti sarcinile trasate.
Si ca si cum asta nu ar fi indeajuns,
*Sunteti vazut mereu intrand si iesind de la
locul de munca carand doua colete suspicioase.
Cu sinceritate,
Directiunea
(submisa de amani)
If you want to speed but like to avoid being fined:))
1. Tie them to the rear of your car. 2. Drive as fast as you can if possible changing lines (posted speed limit not important). 3. Check how the other drivers are reacting. 4.Tell police: "I believed they were real!"
05 aprilie 2005
de la amani
Detaliu nefericit, aceasta femeie fusese deja victima
unui accident
mortal cu un an inainte (Libertatea)
(Libertatea) Din nou ieri se formase coada, in fata
gaurii de pe Calea
Vacaresti
(Libertatea) :o))))) asta e super !
In acea noapte fatala, hemoroizii il impiedicau sa
inchida ochii ...
(Libertatea) :o))))) E pe bune !
Firul vietii victimei a fost sugrumat cu salbaticie,
cu multiple
lovituri de cutit
Avea doar o strangulatie superficiala la umar ...
(Libertatea)
Misterul femeii taiate in bucati ramine intreg !
(Ev.Zilei)
Biserica fiind in reparatii, victimele accidentului au
fost
commemorate
in sala de festivitati a primariei (Ev. Zilei)
Toti portau o cirpa la brat .... (Ev. Zilei)
Mai comod, mai modern si mai nefalsificabil, avem la
dispozitie noul
carnet de conducere (Ev. Zilei)
Arestarea s-a operat fara infuziune de sange
(National)
Familia multumeste calduros celor care au luat parte
la decesul
scumpei
lor Elisabeta M. (Romania Libera, decese)
Apa oceanului si clima sunt foarte umede in aceasta
regiune (Romania
Libera)
Raportul politiei releva ca victima s-a sinucis
singura (Actualitatea
Banateana)
Spitalul judetean a fost dotat cu un aparat de
reanimare dupa ultimul
strigat ...... (Monitorul de Cluj)
Cind s-a sinucis nefericita femeie ? Oare si-a gasit
moartea inainte
de
a se arunca in apele Muresului ? (Monitorul de
Timisoara)
Gaurile din lenjeria lui lasau sa se intrevada o
familie saraca
(Monitorul de Timisoara)
2 puncte cu drept special de veto !
Vinatoarea in Vrancea: mai putini cerbi, dar mai
numerosi (revista
AGVPS)
Isi misca coada in cadenta, ca un soldat la parada
(revista AGVPS)
Din cauza caldurii, muzicantii fanfarei nu vor purta
decit cascheta
uniformei (Romania Libera, 1934)
Ultimele lui cuvinte au fost o tacere sfidatoare
(Glasul Bucurestilor,
1921)
bestiala!!
Tombola Societatii Banatene Amicii Animalelor: nr.
5338 castiga o
pusca
de vanatoare (Bega, 1924)
La Bacau, sarbatorirea zilei de 1 Mai va avea loc pe 1
Mai (Scanteia,
1984)
Este Tirgul anual al vitelor si porcinelor, veniti cit
mai multi !
(Scanteia, 1967)
03 aprilie 2005
it's all about fishing
1. You don't have to hide your fishing magazines.
2. It is perfectly acceptable to pay a professional to fish with you once in a while.
3. The Ten Commandments don't say anything about fishing.
4. If your partner takes pictures or videotapes of you fishing, you don't have to worry about them showing up on the Internet if you become famous.
5. Your fishing partner doesn't get upset about people you fished with long ago.
6. It's perfectly respectable to fish with a total stranger.
7. When you see a really good fisherperson, you don't have feel guilty about imagining the two of you fishing together.
8. If your regular fishing partner isn't available, he/she won't object if you fish with someone else.
9. Nobody will ever tell you that you will go blind if you fish by yourself.
10. When dealing with a fishing pro, you never have to wonder if they are really an undercover cop.
11. You can have a fishing calendar on your wall at the office, tell fishing jokes, and invite coworkers to fish with you without getting sued for harassment.
12. There are no fishing-transmitted diseases.
13. If you want to watch fishing on television, you don't have to subscribe to the Play..boy channel.
14. Nobody expects you to fish with the same partner for the rest of your life.
15. Nobody expects you to give up fishing if your partner loses interest in it.
16. Your fishing partner will never say, "Not again? We just fished last week! Is fishing all you ever think about?"
Thanks Mihai A. from Toronto, Canada!
2. It is perfectly acceptable to pay a professional to fish with you once in a while.
3. The Ten Commandments don't say anything about fishing.
4. If your partner takes pictures or videotapes of you fishing, you don't have to worry about them showing up on the Internet if you become famous.
5. Your fishing partner doesn't get upset about people you fished with long ago.
6. It's perfectly respectable to fish with a total stranger.
7. When you see a really good fisherperson, you don't have feel guilty about imagining the two of you fishing together.
8. If your regular fishing partner isn't available, he/she won't object if you fish with someone else.
9. Nobody will ever tell you that you will go blind if you fish by yourself.
10. When dealing with a fishing pro, you never have to wonder if they are really an undercover cop.
11. You can have a fishing calendar on your wall at the office, tell fishing jokes, and invite coworkers to fish with you without getting sued for harassment.
12. There are no fishing-transmitted diseases.
13. If you want to watch fishing on television, you don't have to subscribe to the Play..boy channel.
14. Nobody expects you to fish with the same partner for the rest of your life.
15. Nobody expects you to give up fishing if your partner loses interest in it.
16. Your fishing partner will never say, "Not again? We just fished last week! Is fishing all you ever think about?"
Thanks Mihai A. from Toronto, Canada!
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