I may have mentioned this, I am from central Illinois. Born and raised in Springfield, the state capitol...a proud daughter of the Land of Lincoln. One of my favorite places on earth is New Salem, the log cabin village where Lincoln lived and owned a dry goods store before moving to Springfield to open his law practice. I try once a year to visit New Salem, Lincoln's home and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential museum. As a history lover I am enthralled with artifacts like the leather attache that Lincoln carried and I marvel at the documents that may have been carried within. I love to visit the Old State Capitol, particularly during the holiday season when the voices of high school madrigal choirs echo throughout the dome...singing the carols that Lincoln may have heard from bands of roving carollers.
These days it is hard to get people excited about Illinois...even we die hard central illinoisians. We hold the record for embattled and imprisoned governors. The most recent of course Blago who will be sentenced for attempting to sell Obama's senate seat in October. Our state income tax was raised so the state could mismanage 5% of our earnings rather than the 3% they are still attempting to account for.
I could go on but I digress. This isn't about our state's woes but rather a culinary triumph that rivals anything found in Paris, London, Vienna, Tokyo or New York and it belongs on every one's bucket list!
The horseshoe was first created at a downtown hotel, the Leland, however there were other restaurants who claimed to have some responsibility for the horseshoe we eat today. So named for the horseshoe shaped dish it was served on, the horseshoe consists of texas toast, topped with your choice of meat (hamburger, ham, turkey, buffalo chicken) or veggies, then french fries (hands down they must be thin and crispy) and finally thick, smooth, decadent cheese sauce (similar to a rarebit). it is incredible and it is OURS!!! Which is why I was in shock when in my car on Sunday listening to one of my favorite APM programs, The Splendid Table with Lynne Rosetto Kasper. Before a break she gave us a teaser..."where in all the world can you eat a horseshoe? the answer when we return". "Oh! This is cool, I thought. We (meaning central Illinois) rarely get mentioned for anything. Even when I watch the weather channel the closest they ever get to us is to tell us what is happening in Chicago and those of us from C.I know that Chicago is a separate state. The break is over and Lynne's smooth voice returns to the airwaves. "Before the break, I asked Where can you eat a horseshoe...well, the answer is Springfield (here it comes! we have actually made it to APM) Missouri.
I am stunned. She goes on to mention the Leland hotel and what the horseshoe consists of but never corrects the state. "Are you freakin' kidding me?! Is Illinois so tainted...so repulsive that not even a radio talk show host can bring herself to say it? Gimme a break. We don't have much. Corrupt politicians. Congressman Schocks abs (he clearly doesn't eat horseshoes) high taxes, Lincoln and THE HORSESHOE!"
So Lynne, if you are reading this, here is what you must know. We, the solid citizens of the Illinois corn belt must have something with which to drown our sorrows and for us there is nothing better than a lunch hour horseshoe (smaller version called a ponyshoe for wussies). It fills our bellies, thrills our taste buds and dulls all of our senses so that we may continue to waddle through the remainder of our bad news days. So next time...if there should ever be a next time...throw us a bone or better yet a block of cheddar and give credit where credit is due...trust me, it isn't so much to ask.
