George Walker Bush was the forty-third President of the United States from January 20, 2001 until January 20, 2009. He had previously served as the forty-sixth Governor of Texas from 1995 until being sworn in as President.
He is the eldest son of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush.
It was during his term that the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 occurred. Bush consequently announced a global War on Terrorism and ordered an invasion of Afghanistan that same year. Two years later, in 2003, Bush also ordered an invasion of Iraq.
Besides his concern with national security issues, Bush is known for promoting policies on the economy, health care, education, social security reform and immigration. He enacted large tax cuts, the No Child Left Behind Act and Medicare prescription drug benefits for seniors.
Bush will be missed by comedians for his frequent public gaffes that provided so much of their stage material.
Fun Food Facts:
Favorite Ice Cream: Pralines and Cream
Favorite drink: Diet Soda
Favorite Food: Mexican Cuisine / Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Food Dislikes: Broccoli
Funny Food Quotes:
”If you’re a single mother with two children, which is the toughest job in America, as far as I’m concerned, you’re working hard to put food on your family’.
‘I know that human being and fish can coexist peacefully’.
Enjoy George W. Bush’s favorite recipe:
Fillet of Beef with Three-Peppercorn Sauce
(Note: Adapted from Walter Scheib, former White House chef)
Three-peppercorn sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons oil
1/3 cup peeled and diced carrot
1/3 cup diced Spanish onion
2 tablespoons thinly sliced leek (white part only)
2 tablespoons chopped shallot
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed mixed peppercorns (black, green and pink)
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 small bay leaf
2 tablespoons Cognac
2 tablespoons red wine
1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1. Heat a small, heavy-bottom saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the oil, then the
carrot, onion, leek, shallot, garlic and peppercorns and saute until the vegetables are
tender, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the thyme and bay leaf and cook for
30 seconds.
2. Stir in the Cognac and red wine. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by one-third,
about 3 minutes.
3. Add the vinegar and broth and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat
and simmer until reduced by one-third, about 30 minutes.
4. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl and discard the solids.
Season to taste with salt and pepper and keep covered in a warm place until needed.
Fillet of beef and assembly
1 center-cut beef tenderloin, 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, trimmed and tied at 1-inch intervals
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
Three-peppercorn sauce
1. Remove the tenderloin from the refrigerator one hour before starting the recipe.
2. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Season the beef generously with 1 teaspoon salt and
one-half teaspoon pepper, or to taste.
3. In a large, heavy-bottom saute pan, heat the oil over high heat. Brown the tenderloin
on all sides, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Place the tenderloin on a rack in a roasting pan; do not wash the saute pan. Roast
the beef until a thermometer inserted reads 125 degrees for medium-rare, about 20
minutes, longer for more well-done. Transfer the tenderloin to a cutting board for several
minutes to rest.
5. While the tenderloin is resting, return the saute pan to the stove top over medium-
high heat. Ladle one-half cup of the sauce and cook, scraping any flavorful bits from the
bottom of the pan. Heat the sauce over high heat and boil for 2 minutes. Strain the liquid
through a fine-mesh strainer into the rest of the sauce.
6. To serve, cut the ties from the beef and slice the tenderloin crosswise into one-half-
inch slices. Place 2 to 3 slices on each dinner plate.
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