The 3 Wise Men and 1 Smart Cookie

Everybody knows that George Washington was a brilliant military leader who led the rebellion which freed our nation from the grips of British rule. He was an American leader who served as our nation's first President.

A retiring George Washington's letter to the people served as a guide for his successors for centuries to come as well as yet another symbol of his foresight and brilliance. George Washington is even credited for one of the best Christmas Eggnog recipes that I have ever tasted.

Thomas Jefferson was truly an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence. He was the first Secretary of State and the third President of our United States. Also, Thomas Jefferson's Chess Pie Recipe is legendary.

Benjamin Franklin was a British American. He was a noted writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, diplomat, and all around good guy. Ben's Roasted Turkey Recipe is simply delicious. He is my personal favorite of these three wise men.

All three of these guys were multi-talented and darn near perfect in their callings.

But, do we really believe that these men actually took time out of their busy days to mix drinks, to bake a pie, or roast a turkey? In between creating a government, fighting off foreign enemies, and forging alliances across the seas, these men actually took the time to break with precedence to go to the kitchens???

I imagine that they had to shoo the slaves who were charged with doing the cooking that their wives couldn't or wouldn't do.

As a good Southern woman, I try to tamp down the petty for the holidays. But on this point, I do not believe that I am being petty for calling out the continued disregard for the blacks (slaves) people who no doubt prepared and/or created the recipes that these men are given credit for making.

On the order hand, I am not being disrespectful to Madame Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris for her heralded recipe for Cornbread Dressing when I refer to her as "One Smart Cookie".

What's not to love about this Smart Cookie? She's not only an accomplished lawyer, legislator, advocate for social justice and criminal justice reform, but she is a wonderful cook!

Before she ever announced that she was running for the office of President of the United States, I subscribed to her YouTube channel and watched Kamala's culinary prowess in the kitchen. Like any good recipe hawk and flavor expert, I watched with the side-eye as she whipped up her family's Thanksgiving feast two years ago. I was genuinely impressed. She gracefully prepared the dinner, although not complex or complicated in its menu or technique, I understood that then-Senator Harris was a good cook and that she has a true love and respect for food preparation.

So, when newspaper articles highlighted her Cornbread Dressing Recipe as a culinary marvel, I did not disagree. Even though it's quite common in flavor profile and composition, I applaud Madame Vice-President Elect for staying true to her style and honoring the heritage recipe. Hail Columbia!

Kamala’s Cornbread Dressing

2 (8-ounce) packages of cornbread mix
1 pound spicy pork sausage
2 onions, chopped
2 apples, cored and chopped
4 celery stalks, diced
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Bake your cornbread according to the instructions on the package. This can be done the day before. Once it’s cooled, crumble it.

1. Take the sausage out of its casing, crumble it, and brown it in a little oil. When it’s cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the pan and set it aside.

2. Sauté the vegetables and apples in the remaining oil in the same pan.

3. Mix that with the sausage, cornbread crumbs, melted butter, herbs, and chicken broth.

4. Put the mixture in a baking dish and bake at 375°F for about 40 minutes. Enjoy!