While New York society was famous for having summer homes in Newport, Rhode Island, others chose to escape the winter cold in the Northeast for warmer locations. Mina and Thomas Edison headed to their estate in Fort Myers, Florida, which they called Seminole Lodge, built in 1886. Their good friend Henry Ford later joined them and bought a house next door. Queenie Adams was the Edison's cook first at Fort Myers and then at Glenmont, their home in NJ. According to the NY Times, she "became a favorite of the family not only for her culinary accomplishments but for her cheerful disposition." And the Newark Star-Eagle referred to her as much a wizard in the kitchen as Edison was in his laboratory. This recipe is adapted from the Edison’s Family and Friends Recipes booklet published by the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers.

Thanks so much to food historian and culinary stylist Dan Macey for finding and adapting this recipe! 

MAKES 1 DOZEN

• 1 cup cooked mashed potatoes, warm
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter or cooking spray and set aside.

Place the mashed potatoes in a large bowl, then add the egg, milk, and vegetable oil stirring to mix well.

In a smaller bowl, combine the cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add to the potato mixture and stir until just mixed. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.

Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 15 minutes. 

Photo by Heather Raub of FrontRoom Images; foodstyling by Dan Macey.