47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
History, humor and healthy recipes!, July 15 1996
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: White House Cookbook: Revised and Updated Centennial Edition (Paperback)
This cookbook has something for everyone, from history buffs to healthy eaters. The authors have taken recipes from the original White House Cookbook used 100 years ago in the Grover Cleveland era, and updated them to meet the nutrient needs of people today- low in fat but high in convenience and taste. For example, corn pudding (originally made with eggs, heavy cream and butter) becomes Centennial Corn Casserole, with half the fat and calories. Also of interest are cookie recipes from Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton, which have been lightened up. (I thought the "light" version of Hillary's cookies tasted better than the original!) In addition to healthy recipes, there is a wealth of interesting historical information about cooking in the White House 100 years ago and a touch of humor with health hints from the past (hair restorer tonic, cures for colic, etc). This book is a great recipe source, as well as an interesting read
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-read during this election year!, Aug 15 2000
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: White House Cookbook (Paperback)
I found this wonderful book in the gift shop of the White House- it's truly as much fun to read as it is to cook from! The authors have taken recipes from the White House 100 years ago and made them more modern. They've also added lots of interesting etiquette and health tips from the last century. If you enjoy reading cookbooks, this one is a must-have for your collection!
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Beware of the updated recipes, April 7 2011
By Joy E Cable "Joy" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: White House Cookbook (Paperback)
I was shocked to read the "updates". The preface says "the call for lard, fat, cream, eggs, or salt in most of the original recipes makes them unsuitable for today". Are these authors still stuck back in the 80's? Tests are showing that these good fats are not only good for you, but needed for continued health. The updates substitute margerine for butter, corn syrup for sugar, egg substitutes for real eggs, etc. They also think it is ok to use ginger ale and carbonated drinks that contain HFCS. Are they kidding? Processed foods and food-like substitutes have been shown to be very detrimental to our health and should be avoided at all costs. Eggs from free-range chickens - where the yolks are orange are a perfect food, as is butter and cream from grass-fed cows.
In the introduction, the authors do concede that diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular, as well as forms of cancer have increased and are among the leading causes of death. Duh --- should tell them something, shouldn't it?
If you buy this book, do not use the updated recipes for your health's sake. I wish now I had purchased the original.