Bushra Griffith
Thomas Edison is known for his numerous inventions, but macaroni and cheese is not one of them. While Edison was an innovative thinker, the origins of this beloved comfort food lie elsewhere. Macaroni and cheese, or mac and cheese, as it is colloquially called, has a long and fascinating history that dates back much further than Edison's time. The dish's roots can be traced to medieval England and Italy, with recipes evolving over centuries into the creamy, cheesy delight we know today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Thomas Edison invent macaroni and cheese? | No |
| Who invented macaroni and cheese? | The first written recipe for macaroni and cheese was found in a 1769 book called "The Experienced English Housekeeper" by Mrs. Elizabeth Raffald. |
| Who introduced macaroni and cheese to the US? | Amateur historians have often credited Thomas Jefferson with introducing macaroni and cheese to the United States. However, it was his enslaved Black chef, James Hemings, who perfected the recipe. |
| What is macaroni and cheese? | Macaroni and cheese (also known as mac and cheese) is a pasta dish of macaroni covered in cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson did not invent mac and cheese
While Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing macaroni and cheese to the United States, this is a myth. Jefferson did not invent mac and cheese, nor was he the first to bring the dish to America. In fact, pasta with cheese was already a popular dish in France when Jefferson travelled there in 1784.
Jefferson did, however, play a role in popularising mac and cheese in the US. He was known to love the dish, and served it at a state dinner in 1802. The recipe was likely dictated to him by one of his enslaved chefs, James Hemings, who learned to make it during his culinary training in Paris. Hemings put his own spin on the recipe, and taught it to his brother, Peter Hemings, who later served "pie called macaroni" at a state dinner hosted by Jefferson. This introduced mac and cheese to America's elite.
The first written recipe for mac and cheese appears to be from Elizabeth Raffald's 1769 book, The Experienced English Housekeeper. The first American recipe was included in Mary Randolph's 1824 cookbook, The Virginia Housewife. Randolph was Jefferson's relative, and her recipe was likely a family one, passed down through Jefferson and Hemings.
Mac and Cheese: Potassium Content and Nutritional Facts
You may want to see also
Jefferson's enslaved chef, James Hemings, perfected the recipe
Thomas Edison did not invent macaroni and cheese. Macaroni and cheese, or mac and cheese, has been a staple comfort food for generations. The roots of this dish can be traced to Italy, with the first macaroni and cheese recipe believed to be from the 13th century. The recipe includes sheet pasta cut into 2-inch squares, cooked in water, and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
While Thomas Jefferson did not invent mac and cheese either, he is often associated with the dish due to his love for it and his role in introducing it to America. Jefferson first tried mac and cheese in Italy and later had White House chefs recreate and serve the dish during his presidency. He also brought back macaroni from Europe and served it to many of America's founding fathers. However, it was not Jefferson who cooked these meals, but rather his enslaved chef, James Hemings, who perfected the recipe.
James Hemings was an extraordinarily bright and literate enslaved person, a rarity at the time. He was just 19 when he began his culinary training in Paris, working in the royal household of the Prince of Conde at Chateau Chantilly. Hemings learned French cooking techniques and became proficient in the French language, paying a tutor with his wages to enhance his craft. He also learned French cuisine during the five years he spent with Jefferson in Paris while Jefferson acted as the United States minister to France from 1784 to 1789.
Upon returning to the United States in 1789, Hemings brought with him a macaroni maker and his knowledge of French cuisine. He adapted the recipes he learned in France to suit American tastes, including his famous macaroni and cheese. Hemings' contributions to American cuisine were significant, and he is also credited with popularizing ice cream in the US. Unfortunately, Hemings did not receive the recognition he deserved during his lifetime, as was often the case with the contributions of enslaved people.
Hemings eventually gained his freedom in 1796, but his life ended tragically at the age of 36, just a year after being emancipated. While he did not invent mac and cheese, James Hemings, Jefferson's enslaved chef, perfected the recipe and played a crucial role in introducing and popularizing the dish in America.
The Mystery of Gritty Mac and Cheese
You may want to see also
Hemings learned French cooking techniques in Europe
Thomas Edison did not invent macaroni and cheese. Mac and cheese is a dish with roots in Italy, with a recipe for macaroni and cheese appearing in an Italian cookbook from the 13th century.
Now, onto the story of James Hemings, who learned French cooking techniques in Europe. Hemings was an enslaved Black American chef who was selected by Thomas Jefferson to accompany him to Paris when the latter was appointed Minister to France. Hemings spent five years with Jefferson in Paris, from 1784 to 1789, during which he learned French cooking techniques under notable chefs in the Classical French Culinary Arts. He also took lessons to learn how to speak French, which he eventually became fluent in.
Hemings was trained to be a French chef and served as Jefferson's chef de cuisine in his residence on the Champs-Élysées. He oversaw meals served to European aristocrats, writers, and scientists invited to Jefferson's dinners. Hemings was the first American chef trained abroad in France and the first American chef to be a head cook at an American diplomatic embassy.
Hemings was instrumental in introducing French cooking styles to the colonial United States and developing new recipes inspired by French cuisine. He brought back knowledge of French cooking techniques to the United States, including the popular dish of macaroni and cheese. He also introduced other dishes to American cuisine, such as Snow Eggs, a French dish consisting of meringue and custard.
Hemings's legacy in American culinary history is significant, and he played a crucial role in bringing French cooking techniques to the country during his time in Europe.
Mac and Cheese: Ultimate Guide to Fixing It
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mac and cheese was introduced to America's elite at a state dinner
Macaroni and cheese, or mac and cheese, is a dish with a long and complex history. While Thomas Edison is not known to have invented macaroni and cheese, the dish was introduced to America's elite at a state dinner, hosted by Thomas Jefferson, in 1802.
Jefferson was introduced to macaroni and cheese in Italy and was enamoured with the dish. He wrote down the recipe and instructions for pasta extrusion, and upon his return to the United States, he imported a pasta maker, macaroni, and Parmesan cheese. Jefferson's enslaved Black chef, James Hemings, perfected the recipe. Hemings had accompanied Jefferson to Europe and learned French cooking techniques, which he later applied to macaroni and cheese, creating his own unique version.
Hemings taught the recipe to his brother, Peter Hemings, who served "pie called macaroni" at Jefferson's state dinner in 1802. This event marked the introduction of mac and cheese to America's elite. The menu of this dinner was reported by Reverend Manasseh Cutler, who did not seem to enjoy the dish, describing it as "not agreeable."
While Jefferson did not invent mac and cheese, he played a role in its popularisation in America. He served the dish to dinner guests during his presidency, and it was included in a cookbook by his relative, Mary Randolph, titled "The Virginia Housewife" (1824). This cookbook became one of the best-selling cookbooks of its time and included the first printed recipe for macaroni and cheese.
The origins of macaroni and cheese can be traced back to medieval England and Italy. The earliest known recipe, "de lasanis," appears in the 13th-century Italian cookbook "Liber de Coquina," or "Book of Cooking." It consists of sheet pasta cut into squares, cooked in water, and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan. Over time, mac and cheese has become a staple comfort food worldwide, with various regional variations and industrial innovations.
Mac and Cheese: Freezing No-Go Explained
You may want to see also
The first mac and cheese recipe was in a 1769 cookbook
Macaroni and cheese, or mac and cheese, is a pasta dish of macaroni covered in cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. Its origins can be traced back to medieval England and Italy. The earliest mention of pasta and cheese being combined dates back to 160 BCE when Marcus Porcius Cato, a senator of the Roman Republic, included recipes that can be construed as pasta and fresh cheese in his treatise "De Agri Cultura". Cato's treatise included a recipe for "Placenta", which was made with layers of cheese packed between stacked sheets of whole grain dough.
The first proper recipe for macaroni and cheese in English, however, was published in 1769 by Elizabeth Raffald in her book "The Experienced English Housekeeper". Raffald's recipe involved mixing boiled macaroni tubes with butter and cheese, layering the pasta with fresh cream and cheddar, and topping it with grated Parmesan. Under heat, the cheese melted into the hollowed pasta while the top browned to a crust. This recipe became the blueprint for the dish we know today.
It is worth noting that the Italian kitchen manual "Liber de Coquina" from the 13th century includes a recipe for a dish of fermented cheese melted over flat pasta, while England's "Forme of Cury" from the same period details a recipe that mixes fresh hand-rolled pasta with aged cheddar. These early cooking methods also laid the foundation for what would become macaroni and cheese.
While Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing macaroni and cheese to the United States, this is incorrect. Jefferson did not invent the recipe, nor was he the first to introduce macaroni with or without cheese to America. However, he likely helped popularize the dish by serving it to dinner guests during his presidency. It was Jefferson's enslaved Black chef, James Hemings, who perfected the recipe. Hemings learned French cooking techniques while in Europe with Jefferson and later put his own spin on macaroni and cheese. He taught the recipe to his brother Peter Hemings, who served "pie called macaroni" at a state dinner hosted by Jefferson, introducing the dish to America's elite.
Reviving Dry Mac and Cheese: Simple Solutions
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Thomas Edison did not invent macaroni and cheese.
The earliest known recipe for macaroni and cheese is from the 13th century Italian cookbook "Liber de Coquina," or "Book of Cooking." The recipe, called "de lasanis," calls for sheet pasta cut into 2-inch squares, cooked in water, and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
No, Thomas Jefferson did not invent macaroni and cheese, but he may have helped popularize the dish in America. Jefferson first tried macaroni and cheese in Italy and later served it at the White House during his presidency.
The first written recipe for macaroni and cheese in the United States was published in 1769 by Mrs. Elizabeth Raffald in her book "The Experienced English Housekeeper." The recipe calls for a Béchamel sauce with cheddar cheese, mixed with macaroni, sprinkled with Parmesan, and baked until bubbly and golden.
While James Hemings did not invent macaroni and cheese, he likely played a significant role in perfecting the recipe. Hemings learned French cooking techniques while in Europe with Jefferson and put his own spin on macaroni and cheese when they returned to the United States.
