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Field Ethos
Guest
By Edgar Castillo
Ike, otherwise known as Dwight D. Eisenhower, had an impressive list of accomplishments prior to and during his presidency (1953-1961). The Five-Star General was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during WWII, where he planned the D-Day Invasion. Once elected to office, he authorized the construction of the national highway system, deterred Soviet nuclear aggression, and created NASA, among his achievements. In between these milestones, Eisenhower managed to sneak away to bird hunt, and when time permitted—savor them on the grill.
Born and raised in Abeline, Kansas, Eisenhower was a true country boy. He could routinely be found walking to local watering holes to drop a line from a cane pole or hunting bobwhite quail at nearby farmsteads. Eisenhower was no slouch in the kitchen either. At an early age, he learned to cook both at home and around the campfire, enjoying whatever he managed to catch or shoot. He would continue his outdoor and culinary pursuits with rigor well into his life and political career.
Becoming the Commander-In-Chief was both a blessing and a curse, as it interfered with Eisenhower’s passion for wingshooting, but it also provided him with certain amenities and opportunities. Such as was his long relationship with Coca-Cola president Bob Woodruff, who presented Eisenhower with a custom Winchester Model 21 side-by-side 20 gauge. On the shotgun’s bottom receiver, an inscription read, “To a straight shooter from a friend.” It also sported his initials, “DDE,” and five gold stars indicative of Eisenhower’s army rank.
Other built-in advantages for being the most powerful man on the planet gave him access to government transportation. Overnight stopovers were advantageous, especially if they were in game-rich states and the need for some R&R during the fall and winter months presented themselves. One such legislative trip to Ohio had Eisenhower toting shotguns along with his carry-on luggage for a morning waterfowl hunt, where he shot a limit of four ducks in the morning and killed five pheasants afterwards, before whisking back Washington, D.C.
Additional plusses Eisenhower enjoyed were invites and access to posh hunting estates—when time permitted. “Give me a chance to go hunting, and I’m not going to fool around,” said Eisenhower. He frequented several lavish Georgia plantations owned by his soda pop mogul friend Woodruff and Treasury Secretary George Humphrey. Typically togged out in a natty corduroy cap, green windbreaker, high-waisted trousers, and leather boots to protect from the prevalent rattlesnakes, Eisenhower carried two shotguns, the gifted and favorite double-barreled Winchester 20 gauge and a small .410 over-and-under. There, he chased the noblest of gamebirds, Gentleman Bob. In-between keeping America directly out of the Indochina War, Eisenhower hunted from “Thomasville wagons” drawn by mules, while his top Secret Service agent sat on the tailgate and the rest of the protection detail rode horses.
Eisenhower was a darn good shot, returning many days with a legal limit of a dozen bobwhite quail. When time was short, he was known to voice his displeasure, “We haven’t much daylight left. If we don’t find them birds in fifteen minutes, it will be a bad night for everyone.” His stern voice was heard saying, “One of the things about being in the Army, you learn to dress fast. I’m going to jump on the Secretary when he comes out here. He’s holding us up!”
After walking the tall pines and with birds in the bag, Eisenhower showed his prowess as a damn good cook too. Many times, he would broil quail over a charcoal grill for himself and guests. In fact, he would take over cooking duties, with many savoring his Texas-style barbecue and famous, heavily charred “dirty steak.” His recipes were often found in newspapers and magazines, including original wild game dishes of venison, waterfowl, pheasant, and one of his favorites, quail hash.
When at the White House, Eisenhower continued to show off his skills as a grillmaster. He loved cooking so much that he had a portable grill installed on the White House roof, specifically on the promenade just outside the 3rd floor Solarium. Just inside, White House personnel brought in all the necessary items to create a private kitchen area for Eisenhower. It served as an isolated spot for him to maintain the idea of suburban life, while entertaining family, friends, guests, and even staff. At times he would host, cook, and wash his own dishes! It became “The Camp David of the White House” for Eisenhower, offering panoramic views of the surrounding capital grounds and monuments.
It was common for Eisenhower to retreat to the rooftop, with a couple of Secret Service agents strategically positioned around him of course, but still giving him a sense of being alone. While pondering national policies and reflecting on worldwide events, he would cook wild game, especially quail. He escaped to the terrace so routinely that people walking down Pennsylvania Avenue could often see smoke coming from the White House.
One day in 1960, while making one of his own signature quail dishes, a photographer captured him standing over the grill, turning a few Georgia bobwhites until they were perfectly golden brown.
The captured image found its way across the Atlantic Ocean, where Queen Elizabeth saw it in the paper. It prompted her to send Eisenhower a handwritten letter:
“Dear Mr. President, seeing a picture of you today standing in front of a barbecue grilling quail reminded me that I had never sent you the recipe of the drop scones which I promised you at Balmoral. I now hasten to do so…”
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Ike, otherwise known as Dwight D. Eisenhower, had an impressive list of accomplishments prior to and during his presidency (1953-1961). The Five-Star General was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during WWII, where he planned the D-Day Invasion. Once elected to office, he authorized the construction of the national highway system, deterred Soviet nuclear aggression, and created NASA, among his achievements. In between these milestones, Eisenhower managed to sneak away to bird hunt, and when time permitted—savor them on the grill.
Born and raised in Abeline, Kansas, Eisenhower was a true country boy. He could routinely be found walking to local watering holes to drop a line from a cane pole or hunting bobwhite quail at nearby farmsteads. Eisenhower was no slouch in the kitchen either. At an early age, he learned to cook both at home and around the campfire, enjoying whatever he managed to catch or shoot. He would continue his outdoor and culinary pursuits with rigor well into his life and political career.
A Bird Killer-In-Chief
Becoming the Commander-In-Chief was both a blessing and a curse, as it interfered with Eisenhower’s passion for wingshooting, but it also provided him with certain amenities and opportunities. Such as was his long relationship with Coca-Cola president Bob Woodruff, who presented Eisenhower with a custom Winchester Model 21 side-by-side 20 gauge. On the shotgun’s bottom receiver, an inscription read, “To a straight shooter from a friend.” It also sported his initials, “DDE,” and five gold stars indicative of Eisenhower’s army rank.
Other built-in advantages for being the most powerful man on the planet gave him access to government transportation. Overnight stopovers were advantageous, especially if they were in game-rich states and the need for some R&R during the fall and winter months presented themselves. One such legislative trip to Ohio had Eisenhower toting shotguns along with his carry-on luggage for a morning waterfowl hunt, where he shot a limit of four ducks in the morning and killed five pheasants afterwards, before whisking back Washington, D.C.
Additional plusses Eisenhower enjoyed were invites and access to posh hunting estates—when time permitted. “Give me a chance to go hunting, and I’m not going to fool around,” said Eisenhower. He frequented several lavish Georgia plantations owned by his soda pop mogul friend Woodruff and Treasury Secretary George Humphrey. Typically togged out in a natty corduroy cap, green windbreaker, high-waisted trousers, and leather boots to protect from the prevalent rattlesnakes, Eisenhower carried two shotguns, the gifted and favorite double-barreled Winchester 20 gauge and a small .410 over-and-under. There, he chased the noblest of gamebirds, Gentleman Bob. In-between keeping America directly out of the Indochina War, Eisenhower hunted from “Thomasville wagons” drawn by mules, while his top Secret Service agent sat on the tailgate and the rest of the protection detail rode horses.
Eisenhower was a darn good shot, returning many days with a legal limit of a dozen bobwhite quail. When time was short, he was known to voice his displeasure, “We haven’t much daylight left. If we don’t find them birds in fifteen minutes, it will be a bad night for everyone.” His stern voice was heard saying, “One of the things about being in the Army, you learn to dress fast. I’m going to jump on the Secretary when he comes out here. He’s holding us up!”
After walking the tall pines and with birds in the bag, Eisenhower showed his prowess as a damn good cook too. Many times, he would broil quail over a charcoal grill for himself and guests. In fact, he would take over cooking duties, with many savoring his Texas-style barbecue and famous, heavily charred “dirty steak.” His recipes were often found in newspapers and magazines, including original wild game dishes of venison, waterfowl, pheasant, and one of his favorites, quail hash.
We Like Ike … and His Charred Meats
When at the White House, Eisenhower continued to show off his skills as a grillmaster. He loved cooking so much that he had a portable grill installed on the White House roof, specifically on the promenade just outside the 3rd floor Solarium. Just inside, White House personnel brought in all the necessary items to create a private kitchen area for Eisenhower. It served as an isolated spot for him to maintain the idea of suburban life, while entertaining family, friends, guests, and even staff. At times he would host, cook, and wash his own dishes! It became “The Camp David of the White House” for Eisenhower, offering panoramic views of the surrounding capital grounds and monuments.
It was common for Eisenhower to retreat to the rooftop, with a couple of Secret Service agents strategically positioned around him of course, but still giving him a sense of being alone. While pondering national policies and reflecting on worldwide events, he would cook wild game, especially quail. He escaped to the terrace so routinely that people walking down Pennsylvania Avenue could often see smoke coming from the White House.
One day in 1960, while making one of his own signature quail dishes, a photographer captured him standing over the grill, turning a few Georgia bobwhites until they were perfectly golden brown.
The captured image found its way across the Atlantic Ocean, where Queen Elizabeth saw it in the paper. It prompted her to send Eisenhower a handwritten letter:
“Dear Mr. President, seeing a picture of you today standing in front of a barbecue grilling quail reminded me that I had never sent you the recipe of the drop scones which I promised you at Balmoral. I now hasten to do so…”
The post Grilling on the White House Rooftop appeared first on Field Ethos.
Continue reading...
