Table for 9: Supreme Court Food Traditions and Recipes

by Clare Cushman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Foreword), Supreme Court Historical Society

Food traditions have always been important at the Supreme Court as the Justices have purposefully sought occasions to break bread together to reinforce cordiality and cooperation. This book provides a fascinating glimpse into the culinary customs at the Court with behind-the-scenes photos and stories of the Justices eating at tables hidden behind the bench in the Courtroom; lunching together in their private dining room; hosting welcome and farewell dinners for each other in their homes, at the Court or on the yacht Sequoia; sharing breakfast with law clerks in the cafeteria; and being invited by the president to the White House. It also features recipes associated with the Justices and their families, from John Marshall's Quoit Club Punch to Mrs. Neil M. Gorsuch's English Marmalade, and reveals the culinary predilections and regional food traditions of individual Justices. Table for Nine includes 43 recipes, and more than 100 photos, letters and artifacts, including the painted tin ammunition box from the Civil War Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. used to bring his lunch to the Court.

This book makes a fabulous holiday gift for those who love the Supreme Court or love to cook or both.

Its chapter Holiday Traditions: Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Passover features several Christmas recipes, including Mrs. William H. Rehnquist’s Yulekaga (Swedish Christmas Bread).

164 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2017

Reviews

[Rissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history of the US Supreme Court as seen through the lens of food. I'd love to try several of the recipes.