MLK & Inauguration Day

  
Today we reflect on the impact that  Dr. Martin Luther King had on us as a society and a nation.  And we inaugurate our 44th president.

It was January 1, 1863, some 150 years ago when Lincoln issued the proclamation, during the Civil War, declaring all slaves in states rebelling against the Union to be “forever free.”  And it was 45 years ago that Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered one of the most famous American speeches of modern times.  His “I Have A Dream” speech is one we have all become familiar with:

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.”

Both Lincoln and Dr. King might be astonished to witness, as we will today, the inauguration of a black man as Commander in Chief….President of these Untied States.

President Obama has said that Martin Luther King Jr. is one of two people he admires “more than anybody in American history.” Abraham Lincoln is the other. In a nod to his admiration of them both, Mr. Obama will take his ceremonial oath of office today using Bibles owned by both men. Lincoln’s Bible, which President Obama also used in 2009, will rest on top of Dr. King’s Bible, which is larger.

The day will be filled with festivities of all kinds in Washington D.C.   In addition to a parade later in the afternoon, as well as the many Inaugural balls that will take place tonight, immediately following the swearing in, there will be a luncheon at which about 200 guests will be in attendance.  The guests will include of course President Obama, Vice President Biden and their families, members of the Supreme Court, Cabinet members and members of Congressional leadership. The event, which has been a tradition for more than a century, will be hosted by members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Wonder what might be served at such an affair?  Here is the menu for today’s Inauguration luncheon:

First Course: Steamed lobster with New England clam chowder sauce, served on sauteed spinach with sweet potato hay.

Pie Dough

6 ounces butter, soft
1 1/2 ounces sugar
1/2 pound flour, all purpose
2 teaspoons water
1 pinch salt
1/2 each egg

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until mixed well and then fold in the egg. Combine the flour and salt and then fold into the butter mixture.  Add the water 1 teaspoon at a time until dough pulls together.  Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and allow to rest in refrigerator for at least 1 hour (can be made up to 2 days in advance).  Portion dough into 10 equal parts and roll out thin, approximately ¼ inch thick and place in individual metal ring mold or aluminum pie shells.

Cinnamon Crumble

1/2 cup flour, all purpose
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
3 tablespoons butter, unsalted, chilled, cut in to 1/2 inch cubes

Blend first 5 ingredients in a food processor.  Add chilled butter cubes; using on/off turns, cut in until mixture resembles wet sand.

Apples

1 pound apples, peeled, cored, sliced thin
3 ounces sugar
1/4 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoon corn starch
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Layer the apples tightly into pie dough until full, this will be piled higher then the sides of the shell.  The apples will drop as it is baked.  Top each pie with cinnamon crumble and bake at 350º F for 25-30 minutes.

Sour Cream Ice Cream

2 cups half and half
1 cup sugar
1 each vanilla bean
8 each egg yolks, large
4 cups sour cream

In heavy saucepan combine half-and-half, ¾ cup sugar, and vanilla bean and bring just to a boil.  Remove pan from heat.  In a bowl whisk together egg yolks and remaining ¼ cup sugar and hot half-and-half mixture in a steady slow stream, whisking until incorporated.  Return mixture to pan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until 170º F on a candy thermometer. Remove pan from heat. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into mixture until combined well and discard pod.  Stir sour cream into custard until combined well and strain through a fine sieve into a bowl.  Chill custard until cold and freeze in an ice-cream maker.

Notes
You may substitute your favorite store bought ice cream.

Maple Caramel Sauce

4 ounces butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup maple syrup, dark amber

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add sugar and salt.  Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is completely dissolved, then adjust heat to medium and boil 2 minutes longer.  Add maple syrup and boil, stirring frequently, until sauce is thick, smooth, and coats a spoon, 2 to 4 minutes longer. Remove from heat and hold warm for serving.

Garnish
1/4 cup honey
2 ounces honeycomb

Artisan Cheeses
4 each toma celena, 1/2 ounce, cut thin
4 each jersey girl colby, 1/2 ounce, cut thin