Martha Washington (1731-1802) - From the Garden to the Table
While George Washington oversaw most aspects of managing Mount Vernon's pleasure gardens & grounds, Martha Washington oversaw the Kitchen Garden (The Lower Garden), allowing her to keep fruits and vegetables on the table year round.
“…impress it on the gardener to have every thing in his garden that will be nece]ssary in the House keeping way — as vegetable is the best part of our living in the country.” – Martha Washington, 1792
Inside the Kitchen at Mount Vernon
Chocolate Cream
Chocolate cream”, was a common breakfast drink at Mount Vernon for George Washington and his guests. It was made with grated chocolate mixed with heated water or milk, sugar and sometimes with brandy or wine. This drink had a thick consistency similar to a syllabub or eggnog.
Enjoy the authentic taste of American Heritage Chocolate in your favorite recipes. Chopped, shaved, chunked or melted, this chocolate gives a unique flavor to your recipes. This all-natural, preservative free product is fashioned from an 18th-century recipe using cinnamon, nutmeg, and red pepper.
Ingredients
1 cup water
5 ¼ ounces American Heritage chocolate, grated
¾ cup sugar, or more as needed
4 cups heavy (whipping cream)
Directions
1. In the top of a double boiler, heat the water until very warm. Gradually add the chocolate, stirring constantly until melted. Blend in the sugar, and continue to stir until thoroughly dissolved. Add 1 cup of the cream, and continue to heat, stirring to blend. Stir in additional sugar, if desired.
2. Transfer the chocolate to a large saucepan, and stir in the remaining cream. Whisk over medium heat until scalding (just below the boiling point)
3. Use a chocolate mill, whisk or immersion blender to froth the chocolate cream. Pour into a posset or demitasse cups, and spoon the froth on top.
Research plus images & much more are available from Geo Washington's (1732-1799) home Mount Vernon website, MountVernon.org.
