Delivering a Sweet Sugary Taste of Eisenhower

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Hendrix | Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose Torres holds the cookbook 'IKE The Cook' in the commanding officer's galley aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe.  

ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA

03.26.2009

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Hendrix 

U.S. Navy           

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea – Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose Torres of supply department, S-2 division, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (IKE) woke up before dawn, March 26, like he does every time IKE conducts a replenishment at sea with a Military Sealift Command ship, to bake and deliver sugar cookies originally made by the former president and ship's namesake wife.

This time, the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn and the dry cargo - ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea received the sweet treat better known as Mamie's sugar cookies.

"A lot of people don't know that Eisenhower was also a cook," Torres said. "He really enjoyed cooking. It was one of his favorite hobbies."

After the cookies were prepared, rolled out, cut and baked, they were sent to the Big Horn and Sacagawea with compliments from the officers and crew aboard IKE on behalf of Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, IKE's commanding officer.

The gift was a thank you for providing fuel and supplies necessary for IKE to sustain her readiness as the forward-deployed carrier operating in support of maritime security operations.

"The recipe for the cookies is actually from this book called, 'IKE the Cook,'" Torres said. "We were looking for something to send as thank you for the RAS, and we found the recipe after searching through the book that was left behind by one of the previous COs."

"The recipe turned out to be pretty good and one of the best sugar cookies recipes I have ever cooked and had," Torres added. "So every time there is an underway replenishment we prepare about two dozen."

Torres said it takes him approximately 40 minutes to make a batch of sugar cookies.

"You have to mix all the ingredients and let the cookie dough set for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator," Torres explained. "By doing that it allows the cookies to have a nice round shape."

In the past, the ship used to send chocolate chip cookies. The shift from chocolate chip to sugar started when Mewbourne became CO of IKE.

"Capt. Mewbourne wanted something that represented Eisenhower," Torres said. "And, what better than Mamie's Sugar Cookies."

He also commented that the Big Horn calls and talks to the CO thanking the ship for the cookies, and how they enjoy the freshness, taste and softness of the cookies.

"They've asked before where did we get the recipe from and is it really an Eisenhower original," Torres said. "A little card with the recipe on it and instructions on how to bake the sugar cookies is placed in the box with the cookies."

The homemade creation is now a tradition aboard IKE. Torres brought it back to life by discovery and insight with others. It brings a sense of pride to the CO's galley, Torres said.

"It's an honor for me to make the cookies that President Eisenhower used to make, and to enjoy them just as much as he did and as we all do now." Torres shared.

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime operations and operate in international waters across the globe.

• Date Taken: 03.26.2009
• Date Posted: 03.30.2009 13:08
• Story ID: 31785
• Location: ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA