Stumping and Eating In Chicago

Brown betty, a simple but delicious hot apple breakfast dish, recipes below

We continue are series Stumping and Eating which looks at the role of food in electoral politics with a trip to President Barak Obama's hometown of Chicago. Most of the State of Illinois had been loyal Republicans dating back to the election of one its own native son President Abraham Lincoln. That party loyalty changed during a recession like we are currently experiencing.  During the Great Depression Democratic precinct captains announced that if one  wanted Federal National Relief Agency (NRA) programs to continue to feed them, they had to vote Democratic. The strategy proved effective as the slogan “Let Jesus lead you and Roosevelt feed you” became popular. Other campaign slogans said, “If Lincoln were alive today, he’d be a Democrat.” The slogan “Do not bite the hand that feeds you,” made it’s point with hungry voters in Chicago. NRA relief included disturbing food staples like lard, flour, and sugar. Here’s one of my favorite recipes for Brown Betty which is easy to make with sliced apples, cinnamon (I had Jamaican All Spice and cloves) and plenty of sugar as a sweetener. This is a great tasting breakfast meal on a cold fall morning like we have today in New England; it will also make your house smell wonderful. My children love it!

Brown Betty Stories and Recipes: http://www.foodasalens.com/search?q=Brown+Betty

Stumping And Eating Series: http://www.foodasalens.com/search?q=Stumping+And+Eating