The Obamas are "adventurous foodies," with a "wide-ranging palate," chef says

[gauguin57]

Another thing to love about the Obamas ... foodies with wide-ranging tastes.

http://news.aol.com/main/obama-presidency/article/obama-is-foodie-but-hates-beets/247955?icid=100214839x1213219455x1200813290

Obama is a Foodie, But Hates Beets

By DEANNA BELLANDI, AP

CHICAGO(Nov. 13) -_ ...

President-elect Barack Obama loves chili and shuns beets.

Obama's aversion to beets aside — "I always avoid eating them," he says — the new first family are foodies with a wide-ranging palate. They have hankerings for Mexican food, enjoy hand-crafted pastas and their kids dig fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.

They are totally adventurous people ... they enjoy food," said chef Rick Bayless of Topolobampo, an upscale contemporary Mexican restaurant in downtown Chicago that's a favorite of the Obamas.
Soon, the White House staff will be catering to the family's food needs, and what the Obamas eat in their hometown of Chicago offers a hint at what might be served at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

... At Bayless' restaurant, Obama and his wife Michelle usually begin their meals with tortilla soup and guacamole as starters, followed by something from a changing seasonal menu to reflect the freshest fare. The Obamas aren't teetotalers, partaking of the restaurant's margaritas and wine.

"They never turn a nose up at anything we suggest to them," said Bayless, whose Frontera Grill was named outstanding restaurant by the James Beard Foundation last year.

[PretzelWarrior]

1. Dwight Schrute will not be happy to hear this

oh, he's an imaginary character? carry on.

[gauguin57]

5. Perhaps Dwight can host the Obamas at his farmhouse B&B, and Barack will start liking beets.

Can you imagine Dwight dealing with the Secret Service???

:rofl:

[PretzelWarrior]

14. I sense a new episode of "The Office" in the making.

The others decide to convince Dwight that Obama is preparing to overcome his dislike of beets by scheduling a visit to his farm...oh boy.

[Jennicut]

2. Do they watch Alton Brown on Food Network? That is what I really want to know.

[gauguin57]

3. Dunno ... but I do!

Love me some Alton. Love to know how the molecules all combine to create my favorite foods (and love those multi-tasking kitchen implements!)

[Jennicut]

8. LOL! He is the best and has the craziest characters, like the nutty food equipment lady.

[gauguin57]

11. The nutty food-equipment lady ("W") is actually played by his chiropractor, Vickie Eng.

I love the food anthropologist and the food scientist (the two women).

You can find out all about the different characters on the show at the wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Eats

[Jennicut]

12. Yes, W. Can't believe that is his chiropractor. LOL...

[tridim]

20. I like the macabre dude in his cellar.

[me b zola]

10. Anthony Bourdain, adventurous eater & globe treker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain

:loveya:

[The empressof all]

22. Of course they watch Tony.

Jeeze, what serious foodie doesn't. He's far more erudite and besides he's my secret boyfriend.

[Coexist]

4. the White House chefs must be thrilled after 8 years of wasting their talent on hot dogs

and peanut butter on white bread.

[That Is Quite Enough]

7. Oh, you beat me to it!

[Coexist]

9. youowemeabeer

:toast:

[tanyev]

13. Hey now, Sarkozy got his choice of a hot dog OR a hamburger.

[OnyxCollie]

18. Don't forget cheeseburger pizza! nt

[silverojo]

21. I don't give a shit if the Obamas eat Spaghetti-O's

I don't give a shit if they eat caviar. All I care about is what Barack Obama does as President. Some of these "political" articles are beginning to look like Jonas Brothers articles in teen magazines: "OMG! They, like, eat Mexican food and stuff!" :eyes:

[Norrin Radd]

24. Stuff like this humanizes him, though. Which is welcome, considering

they were trying to frighten everyone with outrageous slander about his character.

[crispini]

34. I think it's awesome...

it will help with the "Obama's a sekrit sleeper agent for the communits!!!1" types when they see all this fluff stuff in People and so on. They might start to calm down some. I hope.

[MaineDem]

30. Doesn't the new President get to bring in a new chef?

I think the First Lady deals with that.

[That Is Quite Enough]

6. Hope the WH chefs are working on their skills. They may be rusty after 8 yrs. of Bush's 4 item menu.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

15. Chefs don't get rusty, just put into remission. Obama will be their new mission

to work for. I think they are going to have fun cooking for the Obamas.

[gauguin57]

16. Just added the story link to OP ... sorry about that!

Since I know Michelle and Barack drink Margaritas ... perhaps that's what I'll drink on inauguration day.

[AZSlacker]

17. I'll bet they can't handle a Chimichanga

[xloadiex]

19. Rick Bayless

Also has a cooking show on PBS "One Plate at a Time."

[No Elephants]

23. If Obama does not like beets, it's probably because he has had them only from the can or

boiled. Folks, brush a little olive oil, salt and pepper on the outside of your beets and bake them as you would a baked potato--no microwave either. Baked, they are not only tasty they are drop dead gorgeous.

[KayLaw]

25. I love beets.

I eat them from the can but I've had fresh beets that were wonderful. I actually tried to grow them in my garden with no success. It's hard to imagine not liking beets, but I don't like ice cream which is substantially weirder.

[MineralMan]

26. Baby beets with tops

are the best of all. Hard to find, unless you grow them yourself or visit the farmers' market. Pull them when the tubers are about 1 - 1.5", then trim the tops to get rid of ugly or old growth, then steam them. Serve with butter or olive oil and salt and pepper. Mmmm....

[ensho]

29. I'll give it a try - sounds good

thanks

[surrealAmerican]

35. I quite agree with that.

I always hated beets, until I tried them baked. They're good that way.

[CTyankee]

27. I wonder if he has ever had fresh beets. They are wonderful when baked or roasted.

Canned beets are a horror; no wonder he doesn't like them. But the fresh ones can be delicious!

I hated beets, too, until I ate the fresh ones. Now I'm a believer!

[ensho]

28. or cold pickled beets - my favorite

nt

[crispini]

31. Obama hates beets! Me too!

LOL!

[Bread and Circus]

32. OMG tortilla soup at Topolobampo is absolutely one of the best culinary experiences

of my life, that and Frontera Grill (also a Bayless restaurant) fresh masa tortillas.

The Obamas have great taste in food.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[surrealAmerican]

36. Saying the children like "fried chicken and macaroni and cheese"

makes it sound like they are not at all adventurous eaters. Seriously, what American kids don't like fried chicken and macaroni and cheese?

[kwassa]

37. I hated macaroni and cheese as a kid

I still do. It was ruined for me by my junior high cafeteria.

[JI7]

38. me too, i hated it as a kid but i like it now

i'm kind of backwards.i didn't like sweets that much as a kid but love them now.

[Retrograde]

40. boxed stuff vs real mac&cheese

I detested mac&cheese until recently, since my mother - a rather bad cook - always made the cheap Kraft-knockoff brand. Made with real cheese, though, by someone who knows to taste and adjust seasonings as he goes along it's heavenly.

Kids in general don't go in for adventurous cuisine. If it's not exactly like the food they've eaten forever it's automatically suspect.

[JI7]

39. did you know that Barack knows how to make indian food

he learned from some roomates he had during his college years.

[AspenRose]

41. That was a giveaway with Michelle's cookie recipe during the campaign

Amaretto is in her shortbread cookie recipe