FROM THE FOUNDING TABLE TO YOUR KITCHEN
POTUSPLATETHE PRESIDENTIAL TABLEHISTORY IS SERVED.
Presidents/Thomas Jefferson

AT THE TABLE WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON

Buttered garden peas

Cook them just before serving so their colour stays bright.

Sides10 minServes 4
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Buttered garden peas — a painted table
A painted table · Serving illustration

THE STORY ON YOUR PLATE

Pasta and ice cream, with a paper trail

More about Thomas Jefferson →

The Declaration’s principal drafter and the third president.

Historical reconstruction

Jefferson’s interest in vegetable growing supplies the setting for this garden course. Buttered peas make a light companion to the richer dishes, using a simple modern method rather than a recovered dinner recipe.

The president & the table

Jefferson’s interest in food left unusually tangible evidence. His papers preserve an ice-cream recipe and notes about macaroni. Dinner guest Manasseh Cutler recorded a macaroni dish at the presidential table in 1802. These were pleasures served to guests, not inventions Jefferson personally introduced to the world.

Behind this story

Monticello, “Macaroni” and “Ice Cream”; Jefferson’s recipe papers; Cutler’s dinner account.

APRON ON. HISTORY CAN WAIT.

Make it at home.

Our home adaptation · Serves 4 · Not yet kitchen-tested

What you’ll need

Let’s make it

  1. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Add peas and simmer for 3–4 minutes, or follow the package instructions.

  2. Drain well and return to the warm pan.

  3. Add butter, herbs, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Toss until glossy and serve immediately.

About this home version

A modern home recipe with practical ingredients and measured quantities.

Metric and US measures are approximate equivalents. For baking, use weights when you can.

STAY FOR ANOTHER COURSE

More from this table.