The former First Lady was known for her sense of humor, white hair and pearls, but she also knew a thing or two about making good food.
15 Foods That Barbara Bush Loved
Updated on Feb. 28, 2024
Barbara Bush was a much-admired woman who always believed in the importance of family. It’s no surprise that many of her favorite foods, like apple crisp and bean soup, are perfect for sharing with the ones you love.
1/14
2/14
Quiche
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mrs. Bush made a mushroom quiche that not only delighted her husband but also impresses many home cooks who follow her recipe—it’s a lot like this one.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 422 calories, 33g fat (18g saturated fat), 207mg cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein.
3/14
Bean Stew
Total Time
3 hours 25 min
Servings
22 servings (about 5-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
The former First Lady made a stew full of pinto beans and vegetables, like zucchini and corn. This bean soup is similar and would have undoubtedly been well-received by Mrs. Bush and her family!
4/14
Lemon Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delightful lemon bar recipe is from my mother's file. I've been serving it for many years. They has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. —Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 263 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
5/14
Pizza
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of the Bush family’s favorite restaurants in Texas named pizzas after each family member. Barbara’s pie is topped with goodies like chicken, spinach, mushrooms and artichokes. Here’s a copycat recipe to try in your kitchen!
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 293 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 789mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein.
6/14
Mixed Berry Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a delightful way to enjoy summertime fruits. If you're short on one of the berries, just make up the amount with one of the other fruits in the pie. —Elaine Moody, Clever, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 510 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
7/14
Barbecue Chicken
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The Bushes loved to fire up the grill, and Barbara had a great barbecue chicken recipe. She made her own sauce using ketchup as the base.
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked chicken: 370 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
8/14
Pasta
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It’s said that when her husband was on the campaign trail, Mrs. Bush would host pasta nights for potential voters. We’d like to think that she made something as easy and comforting as this dish.
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 414 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 925mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 6g fiber), 33g protein.
9/14
Gingerbread Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
During her time at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Mrs. Bush decorated the White House Christmas tree with gingerbread men. Festive!
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie (calculated without frosting): 118 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/14
Clam Chowder
Total Time
55 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best clam chowder recipe ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren't readily available everywhere, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 280 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 805mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat.
11/14
Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I made this recipe just before we showed our house. Not only did the people buy the house, but they requested the recipe. — Nancy Fridirici, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 136 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
12/14
Zucchini Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Mrs. Bush must have loved bold flavors. She made her zucchini soup unique with the addition of a surprising special ingredient—curry powder. Try a pinch of curry in our summer squash soup and find out what the fuss was about!
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups with 2 tablespoons yogurt: 290 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 1187mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 8g fiber), 10g protein.
13/14
Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Apple desserts are decidedly American, and by all accounts, Mrs. Bush made a wonderful apple crisp. It was surely served a la mode!
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 426 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 127mg sodium, 79g carbohydrate (58g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
14/14
Oatmeal Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The Bush family matriarch’s best oatmeal cookie recipe uses instant oats and also includes chocolate chips—it’s an ideal combo of two top cookies!
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 103 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 77mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
