Whether it’s learning about the Travis Kelce’s favorite sweet treat, Bruce Springsteen’s late-night snack, or Betty White’s banana bread recipe, we can’t get enough celebrity food news. The curiosity to look behind the curtain even extends to political figures, like finding out what JFK’s go-to breakfast was or trying Lady Bird Johnson’s lemon dessert.
While there’s no denying this intrigue is at an all-time high, it’s far from new. Go back fifty years, on the heels of a new family entering the White House, and you’ll find that the American people had the same question we have today: What do these people eat?
In 1974, just two weeks after President Ford’s inauguration, “The Miami Herald” published an article about the dining habits of the Ford family, and included recipes from First Lady Betty Ford’s collection. Writer Marian Burros described the Fords as having a typical American diet of the time, eating things such as hamburgers, baked potatoes, buttermilk pancakes, and orange juice.
The article goes on to say that before he was president, Gerald Ford kept breakfast simple with either grapefruit or melon every morning. And in Betty Ford’s first press conference, the story describes her as expressing confidence that her husband would continue making his own breakfast at the White House. “All he needs is a toaster,” she said to the White House press corps.
According to the article, the Fords loved to host, and Betty Ford was extremely cost-conscious in the kitchen, even when overseeing government-paid-for state dinners. The former first lady’s recipe for caramel peaches, published in the article, epitomizes the family’s value of “simple American food.” And after discovering how easy it is to whip up this dessert, we’ll be making it all summer.
Betty Ford’s Caramel Peaches
These caramel peaches take only three ingredients and 10-15 minutes to make. Despite being skilled in the kitchen, the article suggests that Betty Ford didn’t actually enjoy cooking, which may be the reason why this dessert is so easy to prepare.
To make this recipe, peel 8 firm peaches, cut them in half, and remove the pits. Place the peach halves hollow side up in a frying pan, placing 8 tablespoons of brown sugar and 4 tablespoons of butter in the hollowed out part.
Cook on low, turning the peaches once, until the peach juice becomes syrupy. Then, serve with a pure vanilla ice cream. That’s it!
More Ideas for Betty Ford’s Caramel Peaches
Try another stone fruit. To switch things up, use nectarines or plums in place of peaches.
Try a different ice cream. Use butter pecan ice cream to pair the sweet fruit with a rich, nutty flavor.
Try it chilled. Alternatively, let the peaches cool first, and serve with whipped cream, placing a dollop in the hollow of each peach half.
