Lugaru
Sous Chef
I was wondering what you consider true or representative American food. Like if you opened a restaurant in another country, what would you serve? What do you think has enriched the world?
My thoughts is that while the history of America is not that old (we know little about the native culture and cooking due to the way the colonization was executed) but the multiple colonization efforts did create a unique culture.
Out of this I consider some of the most notable:
Cajun cooking: the result of a mixture of French colonization with the sense of spice imparted by their Caribbean slaves, this cuisine is one of my favorites. Also things like jambalaya are gaining the level of international fame that dishes such as paella have.
Whiskey. Oh... yeah. Mmm...
Appalachian cuisine: I consider it to be the next trend... farm grown soul food with rich ingredients rooted in welsh and English settlers (rich gravies and great pies) who spent nearly a century in seclusion. While many "traditions" have been interrupted in the united states (for example the prohibition ruining American beer traditions) people from these states have centuries worth of doing what they do very well.
Tex-Mex: originators of many staples of both Mexican and American cuisine where Mexican immigrants and American innovators who seem to tap into the ghost of the once Mexican Texas. Things such as nachos, the "taco" and chimichangas (fried burritos and tacos) originate from Texas. Also Texas has a unique grilling tradition which makes Texan iconism common in steak houses all over the world.
My thoughts is that while the history of America is not that old (we know little about the native culture and cooking due to the way the colonization was executed) but the multiple colonization efforts did create a unique culture.
Out of this I consider some of the most notable:
Cajun cooking: the result of a mixture of French colonization with the sense of spice imparted by their Caribbean slaves, this cuisine is one of my favorites. Also things like jambalaya are gaining the level of international fame that dishes such as paella have.
Whiskey. Oh... yeah. Mmm...
Appalachian cuisine: I consider it to be the next trend... farm grown soul food with rich ingredients rooted in welsh and English settlers (rich gravies and great pies) who spent nearly a century in seclusion. While many "traditions" have been interrupted in the united states (for example the prohibition ruining American beer traditions) people from these states have centuries worth of doing what they do very well.
Tex-Mex: originators of many staples of both Mexican and American cuisine where Mexican immigrants and American innovators who seem to tap into the ghost of the once Mexican Texas. Things such as nachos, the "taco" and chimichangas (fried burritos and tacos) originate from Texas. Also Texas has a unique grilling tradition which makes Texan iconism common in steak houses all over the world.
