Happy Birthday to the late President Thomas Jefferson!

Today is Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday. American history is a rich part of our culture and it is important to give homage to those who played a large role in shaping America into the country it is today. Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13th 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. He was the third president of the United States and he is most famous for being the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence. Beyond this remarkable accomplishment, Jefferson was a man of many talents, he was an architect, an inventor and a scientist. He was skilled in reading five different languages and before he became president of the United States he was the U.S. minister to France for several years. While in France, Jefferson enjoyed several culinary treats. Some of his favorite dishes were pasta, peach flambé (flaming peaches), and ice cream! Despite his taste for delectable foods, he lived to be 84 years old with little illness. It is said this was due to his healthy living habits.

Jefferson’s eye for architecture led him to build the Monticello, a famous landmark and once his home. For an engaging activity you can have children create their own version of the Monticello by decorating shoe boxes with colored macaroni or other fun pasta shapes. If you have younger children, you can guide them in making a macaroni necklace by lacing macaroni on a string or you can simply help them make a macaroni picture by gluing macaroni to a sheet of colored paper.

Colored macaroni

1. Mix 2 tbsp. rubbing alcohol and 3 or 4 drops food coloring in a small container. Set aside.
2. Pour 1 cup uncooked macaroni into a large plastic bag with a zipper-type seal.
3. Add the colored rubbing alcohol to the bag.
4. Zip the bag closed and squeeze the bag gently with your hands for 1 or 2 minutes until the macaroni is evenly colored.
5. Cover a cookie sheet with paper towels and pour the macaroni out of the bag onto the cookie sheet. Spread it out and let it dry.

You can store the colored macaroni in small, plastic containers with lids.

To celebrate Jefferson’s Birthday make a pasta dish and have vanilla ice cream for dessert. Here is my favorite recipe for macaroni and cheese. For an easy meal, mix diced ham into the mac and cheese and serve with your favorite vegetable.

Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups milk
8 ounces American cheese or Velveeta, cubed
8 ounces shredded cheese (of your choice)

Directions:
1. Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook to al dente or about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Drain.
2. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour, mustard powder, salt and pepper and stir until smooth. Slowly stir in the milk, beating out any lumps. Add the American and shredded cheeses, and stir constantly until the sauce is thick and smooth.
3. Stir the cheese sauce into the noodles and heat to desired temperature.