Breaking Bread – The Language of Military Spouses

General Maxwell Davenport “Max” Taylor (August 26, 1901 – April 19, 1987) was a United States Army four star General and diplomat of the mid-20th century, who served as the fifth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after having been appointed by the President of the United States John F. Kennedy.

While in the Army, Taylor jumped into Normandy on June 6, 1944, with his men. He was the first Allied general to land in France on D-Day. He commanded the 101st Airborne Division for the rest of the war. Taylor has been credited to influencing America’s presence and commitment to the Vietnam War.

Taylor married Lydia Happer in 1922. She accompanied her husband to assignments in Germany, Vietnam and Japan. She was the co-founder of the Army Distaff Foundation, which later became Knowllwood, a military retirement facility in Northwest Washington. Lydia Happer Taylor died on April 22, 1997 at the age of 95, of cardiac arrest at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Montezuma Pie (Mexico)

2 large chicken breasts

1 teaspoon of salt

2 mild green or red chili peppers, fresh or canned

3 tablespoons of oil

1 small tortilla per serving

1 med onion, chopped

1 clove of garlic, chopped and smashed

1 small can of tomato sauce

1 lb of fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped

½ hot chili pepper, finely chopped

1 cup grated yellow cheese

1 cup of cream

Boil chicken breasts in salted water until tender; cool in broth. Cut into fairly large pieces. Saute chopped peppers, if fresh, in hot oil leaving in a few seeds. Lightly toast tortilla on grill; cut in quarters. Mix remaining ingredients except cheese and cream. Simmer for 30 minutes; cool. Alternate layers of tortilla, chicken, chili peppers, sauce and cheese in a casserole; top with cream. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until center bubbles. If too dry, add a little chicken broth. Yield; 4-5 servings.

Mrs. Maxwell D Taylor, OWC Ft. Meyers, VA

Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon

I hope you’ve enjoyed a little taste of history – military spouse style. Look for Part II – Recipes from the Modern Military Spouse.