You’ve heard the phrase, haven’t you — a chicken in every pot. Sort of has a warm and cozy feeling. You know – supper cooking on the stove giving an aroma to entice every appetite. Especially when I think of my granny’s chicken and dumplings – none better.

    Well, it has been a phenomenal week. I can’t explain why, but this week I was determined to perfect my version of the yummy chicken and dumplings dish. On Wednesday, I posted the following on my Facebook page:

    OMG! I have just prepared my FIRST chicken and dumplings dish (from scratch). Now I admit that I hacked the poor ole bird until it was not recognizable, but that didn’t seem to bother the taste. My version just passed the “taste-test” (my 13 yr old granddaughter) who is an expert in the field. Uh-huh!

    We enjoyed the meal for supper last night. After chicken and dumplings, can chicken pan pie, chicken and dressing, and barbecued chicken be far behind in the McKee household? Stranger things have happened.

    As I began to think of the chicken in every pot phrase, it had a familiar ring. Hmm – a chicken in every pot. When I started the research, I discovered the long, long lineage of the phrase.  Perhaps even longer than history has recorded?

    According to a book entitled, The Country Cooking of France, authored by Anne Willan, the saying dates back to King Henri IV, also known as Henri of Navarre. He lived in the late 1500s. I’ve read the King’s history and now I am rethinking his life’s story. Any king who wished his people, at this time the peasants, a chicken in every pot, must have had a desire for their happiness and well-being, and must have liked chicken, too.

    Quickly I must say – the chicken in the pot was not KFC! Sad but true. Chicken down through the ages was boiled in a heavy iron pot that hung over a big outdoor wood fire. Veggies that were in season were added. Homemade noodles were made early in the morning and put out to dry – later added to the chicken pot. Sounds good!

     One of the earliest fried chicken recipes that I found (similar to today’s version) was made during the American Civil War era:

2 1/2 pounds cut up chicken

Seasoned with salt & pepper

Rolled in flour and beaten eggs

Using a heavy iron skillet fry pieces in fat

Over an outdoor wood fire

    Also, during the research, I found the saying used as a political slogan. Some have reported the phrase used by four presidents serving between 1920 and 1936, most especially Herbert Hoover. There is an argument whether these politicians really uttered the words or not. However, I think I could relate to a politician’s speech that used the phrase, if it happened. Uh-huh.

    I found that Herbert Hoover perhaps said during the 1928 presidential campaign, “a chicken in every pot and a car in every backyard.” I’m not personally as excited about a car in the backyard. In my mind’s eye, I see a car squashed in the corner with weeds and kudzu wrapped around it. Nope, that is not a pleasant thought, but the chicken in the pot thingy. Hmm, that could work in America today, I think.

    Just think … of the politicians we see on TV today. We know the political season is gearing up and we know as well it’s gonna be a lonnnng time of it. Why not try a different strategy? Sort of like a seven course meal: (1) begin with nice appetizers – like a zesty cheese dip (2) a nice bowl of soup – perhaps a robust tomato soup (3) add a nice salad – Italian with those big yummy black olives (4) main course – always have fish and beef, broiled, grilled, and use the best charcoal (5) add the good bread and don’t forget the real butter (6) all of the condiments – made from scratch (7) a dessert to die for.

    Now who would not pay attention to that? I’m just saying …

    As you know, I’m not into politics so much. I mean I don’t often write about it. Oh, I listen and pay attention. I want to be ready to vote my choice. I hope you do as well, but today I’m thinking of King Henri, IV, of France. Oh, I know that he will not be on the ballot sheet and there was not anything resembling democracy in those days. But to have a leader, a monarch, who cared and wished all of his people a chicken in every pot, had a heart. Perhaps it is the heart that’s missing with our political leaders today?

    Oh, and one more thing about the King. He was assassinated in 1610. I suppose there was at least one of his realms who didn’t prefer chicken?

     A chicken in every pot – dear readers, I wish the same for you.

    Anne B. McKee is an author and

storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi. Visit her web site: www.annemckee.net.