Broccoli, Anyone?

President Bush may not like broccoli, but he and his wife Barbara have nothing against lemons. According to Mrs. Bush’s press office, lemon bars are one of their favorite desserts. Mrs. Bush doesn’t do much cooking herself anymore, but longtime family employee Paula Rendon often bakes the lemon bars from a recipe borrowed from a dear friend of the Bushes. The small army of White House chefs, who prepare everything from State dinners to quiet lunches, have been called on to bake the lemon bars, too.

Lemon lovers who try this recipe at home should brace themselves: These White House lemon bars are incredibly sweet--too sweet for some members of the Food staff.

PRESIDENT BUSH’S

FAVORITE LEMON BARS

1 cup margarine

2 cups powdered sugar

2 cups flour

Lemon-Coconut Filling

Cream margarine and powdered sugar. Gradually stir in flour (batter will be stiff). Spread onto 15x10-inch jellyroll pan. Bake at 350 degrees 15 minutes or until pale tan in color. Cool.

Pour Lemon-Coconut Filling over crust and bake at 350 degrees 25 minutes. Makes 32 bars.

Note: Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Lemon-Coconut Filling

4 teaspoons lemon juice

Grated zest of 2 lemons

4 eggs, well beaten

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup flour

1 cup shredded coconut, optional

Mix together lemon juice, zest, eggs, sugar, baking powder, flour and coconut.