Want to eat like the Founding Fathers this July 4th? How to incorporate their favorite foods into your holiday

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Michael Politz, founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, revealed the Founders' favorite dishes - and how to incorporate them into your Independence Day feast.

George Washington's favorite foods included hoecakes, cherries and fish, along with hazelnuts, hickory nuts and walnuts, Politz said. 

"He was especially fond of hoecakes - soft, cornmeal griddle cakes - eaten daily for breakfast with butter and honey, partly due to his dental issues."

"Jefferson was a passionate gardener, growing over 250 types of produce at Monticello," Politz noted. 

"He often used meat 'as a condiment to the vegetables which constitute my principal diet.'"

"Jefferson is credited with popularizing macaroni and cheese, french fries and ice cream in America."

The Boston-born Philadelphian also had a bit of a sweet tooth, enjoying apple tarts and maple syrup.

Politz described Franklin as an early "locavore," which refers to a person who only eats food grown in a local area.

"And rumor has it Ben Franklin had a soft spot for turtle soup, a Philadelphia staple of the era," Politz added.

"Adams' diet reflected New England's apple-rich agriculture and cold climate, favoring root vegetables and preserved meats," Politz said. "His wife Abigail made apple pandowdy, a rustic favorite."

Politz has modernized some colonial classics to fit the kitchen of just about anyone.

But, he said, many Americans are eating like the Founding Fathers on Independence Day by default.

For example, Thomas Jefferson enjoyed creamy baked macaroni and cheese. Jefferson and Washington also devoured ice cream, Politz said.

"Jefferson wrote the first American [ice cream] recipe and Washington spent a fortune on it," the hospitality expert said. "[Hosts can] offer classic vanilla or experiment with period flavors."

But Politz noted that the recipes aren't only an opportunity to impress house guests but a way to appreciate American heritage.

"Recreating these historic dishes isn't just a culinary exercise - it's a way to connect with the roots of American hospitality and storytelling," Politz said.

"These recipes offer opportunities for menu innovation, seasonal specials and educational dining experiences that resonate with guests seeking authenticity and a sense of history."

This recipe is a "simple, gluten-free cornmeal pancake," according to Politz. 

2 cups cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

Boiling water (enough to make a thick batter)

Butter or lard for frying

Honey or syrup for serving

1. Mix cornmeal, salt and sugar in a bowl.

2. Add boiling water gradually, stirring, until you have a thick batter.

3. Heat butter or lard in a skillet or griddle.

4. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto the hot surface; flatten slightly.

5. Fry until golden on both sides.

6. Serve hot, drizzled with honey or syrup.

Politz described a pandowdy as a "rustic apple dessert, ideal for fall menus or as a farm-to-table special."

8 medium baking apples (e.g., Granny Smith), peeled and cut into chunks

½ cup maple syrup

¾ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon lemon juice + 2 teaspoons for apples

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ tsp salt

½ cup butter, cubed

2 pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons sugar + ½ teaspoon cinnamon for topping

½ cup maple syrup (for finishing)

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Toss peeled, chopped apples with 2 teaspoons lemon juice.

3. In a large bowl, mix maple syrup, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Add apples and coat well.

4. Line a baking dish with one pie crust, pressing up the sides.

5. Pour in apple mixture; dot with butter.

6. Top with second crust; tuck edges in. Cut vents in the top.

7. Brush with milk; sprinkle with cinnamon + sugar.

8. Bake 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbly.

9. Remove from oven, break the crust into pieces and gently press into the apples.

10. Drizzle with ½ cup maple syrup and let sit 30 minutes before serving.

11. Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

The Founding Fathers, along with most early Americans, enjoyed a sauce called mushroom catchup, a precursor to modern ketchup, Politz said.

The shelf-stable sauce was considered a pantry essential in colonial times. It dates back to 17th century British and Chinese sauces.

"This dark, earthy and intensely flavorful sauce was prized for its ability to add depth and complexity to meats, stews and vegetables, much like Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce today," Politz said.

2 pounds fresh mushrooms (brown or white)

A couple spoonfuls of salt

2 bay leaves

1 chopped onion

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon finely grated horseradish

¼ teaspoon cloves

Pinch of cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon allspice

½ cup apple cider vinegar

1. Chop mushrooms and mix with salt and bay leaves. Let sit overnight to draw out the juices.

2. Add onion, lemon zest, horseradish, cloves, cayenne, allspice and vinegar.

3. Cook the mixture for 15-20 minutes.

4. Cool, then strain through cheesecloth, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.

5. Save the solids as a seasoning; bottle the liquid catchup for use as a condiment.

These recipes are owned by Michael Politz and were shared with Fox News Digital.