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Barack Obama credits this pasta for his 2012 success
Luck comes in many forms. Some people carry around a four-leaf clover in their pocket, while others insist on wearing the same pair of socks on the days they need a little luck. But have you ever heard of anyone finding luck in a plate of food? Apparently, that was the case for none other than President Barack Obama, who enjoyed a particular pasta dish at several points during his 2012 presidential campaign and ultimately credited it for his success in securing a second term.
Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. The former president doesn’t solely attribute his victory to a plate of pasta, but let’s just say there don’t seem to be any bad memories associated with the meal. The dish, dubbed POTUS’s Lucky Pasta, was created by White House chef Sam Kass, who told Food & Wine that he first served it to President Obama on Air Force One while en route to his second debate against Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor had been declared the winner of the first debate, so “the pressure was on” that night, Kass recalled.
How POTUS’ Lucky Pasta Was Made
White House chefs have had to whip up some strange dishes at the request of some former commanders-in-chief over the years, but POTUS’ Lucky Pasta was hardly one of them. In fact, an excerpt from chef Sam Kass’ 2018 cookbook, Eat A Little Better: A Love Story, reveals that President Obama had only one request for his dinner that night on Air Force One: “Nothing too heavy.” Luckily, Kass planned accordingly, preparing chicken breasts, penne pasta, and a homemade pesto sauce, which he packed for the flight along with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese.
Once Obama was ready to eat, Kass began the relatively simple process of putting the meal together by heating the pasta, chicken, and spinach in a pan. The combination was then topped with pesto sauce and finished with a handful of cheese, resulting in a dish that the 44th President of the United States described as “perfect”. It went on to fuel not only his second but also his third debate victory, and was served again on election night as Obama was elected to a second term. There’s clearly something special about this simple yet delicious meal, so next time you’re feeling lucky, try whipping it up yourself instead of scouring a field for four-leaf clover. You never know what kind of success it might bring you.
While it’s unlikely that a plate of pasta alone propelled Barack Obama to a second term as President of the United States, the significance of POTUS’s Lucky Pasta in his journey is undeniable. Food has a unique way of bringing people together, providing comfort and even evoking positive memories. In this case, it seems that the combination of flavors, textures and skillful preparation by Chef Sam Kass played a small role in boosting Obama’s morale and confidence during a critical time in his campaign.
It’s worth noting that the recipe for POTUS’s Lucky Pasta is relatively simple and accessible. With chicken breast, penne pasta, pesto sauce, spinach, and parmesan cheese, anyone can recreate this dish in their own kitchen. While there’s no guarantee that it will bring you the same level of success as it did for Obama, it’s certainly a delicious and satisfying meal to enjoy.
So the next time you find yourself facing a daunting task or in need of a little luck, why not take a page out of Barack Obama’s book and whip up a plate of POTUS’s Lucky Pasta? Who knows, it could be your lucky meal too.
FAQS
What is POTUS’s Lucky Pasta?
POTUS’s Lucky Pasta is a dish prepared by White House Chef Sam Kass for President Barack Obama during his 2012 presidential campaign. It consists of penne pasta, chicken breast, homemade pesto sauce, fresh spinach and parmesan cheese.
Did Barack Obama credit the pasta for his success?
While President Obama didn’t attribute his success solely to the pasta, he did enjoy the dish at several points during his campaign and expressed his appreciation for it. It became known as “POTUS’s Lucky Pasta” because it was associated with positive memories and successful debate performances.
Who created POTUS’s Lucky Pasta?
POTUS’s Lucky Pasta was created by White House Chef Sam Kass. He prepared the dish for President Obama during his 2012 presidential campaign, serving it on Air Force One before key debates and on election night.
What was the significance of the pasta in Obama’s campaign?
POTUS’s Lucky Pasta served as a comforting and delicious meal for President Obama during his campaign. While it didn’t directly determine the outcome of the election, it played a small role in boosting Obama’s morale and confidence during critical moments of the campaign, such as the debates.
Can I make POTUS’s Lucky Pasta at home?
Absolutely you can! The recipe for POTUS’s Lucky Pasta is relatively easy and accessible. With chicken breast, penne pasta, pesto sauce, spinach and parmesan cheese, you can recreate this dish in your own kitchen and enjoy a delicious meal.
Is there a guarantee that the pasta will be successful?
While POTUS’s Lucky Pasta has been associated with Obama’s success, there is no guarantee that it will bring you the same level of success. However, it’s a tasty and satisfying dish to enjoy, and you never know – it could be your lucky meal too!