American food is one big stew pot of cultures, influences, and tastes -- that's part of what makes it so much fun to cook! There are the regional foods we grew up with like Southern pralines, Minnesota wild rice soup, and salads bursting with California citrus. Then there are the dishes from other parts of the world that have found a home here: enchiladas, pork dumplings, and curries to name a few. And let's not forget the dishes that just feel "American" through and through, like hamburgers piled high with toppings and thick slices of birthday cake.
Today, in celebration of President's Day, let's take a look at some of the dishes that make up our uniquely American cuisine. But what IS American food? Which dishes do you think of first?
"American food" can mean something different for each of us. Even the fact that we disagree sometimes is part of what makes our cuisine what it is! This gathering of recipes, pulled from our archives, is just a sampling of all the possible dishes we might include.
Row 1:
• Baked Apple Dumplings
• Chicken and Dumplings
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Avocado and Grapefruit Salad
• Barbecue Turkey Meatloaf
Row 2
• Kenny Lao's Rickshaw Dumplings
• Pint-Sized Pizza Poppers
• Monkey Bread with Bourbon Crème Anglaise
• Korean Barbecued Short Ribs
• Egg Salad with Radishes
Row 3
• Calzones: Make Now or Freeze for Later
• Classic Southern Coleslaw
• Crab Cakes with Easy Remoulade
• Potato and Cauliflower Curry
• Old-Fashioned Juicy Hamburgers
Row 4
• Slow-Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas
• Classic Southern Pecan Pralines
• Funfetti Birthday Cake from Scratch
• Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
• Easy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
What do you consider to be quintessentially American food? What else would you add to this list? We'd love to hear your ideas and stories.
Related: Quick and Dirty Guide to American Beer Styles
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Good selection, very interesting american recipes
In as much as most of the Southwestern USA was once part of Mexico, with the attendant foods and culture--not sure why enchiladas would be on a list of 'foreign' foods that have become American. This type of thinking, at it's worse, leads to xenophobia about Latina/os.
While this is an interesting idea: identifying American foods, for those of us who either grew up in ethnic communities and/or ate food from many different cultures throughout our lives, it would be hard not to put everything in there. Picked Herring? Tuna casserole? Egg Foo Young & Chop Suey? Spaghetti & Meat Balls. Tacos & their variations? Collard Greens, Field Peas & Corn Bread? Grinder Sandwiches? Salisbury Steak? Lox, Cream Cheese & Bagels? Chili? Acorn Mush & Venison? I could go on and on.
The enchiladas pictured are clearly Enchiladas Suizas, or basically "swiss enchiladas" in honor of the creamy cheese introduced by Swiss immigrants. Thus, foreign. :)
The baked apple dumplings look seriously delicious - I'm definitely keen to give it a go with the ready-made shortcrust pastry option.
New England Clam Chowder, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Apple Pie....
Now I'm in the mood to make some meatloaf and mashed potatoes!! Thanks for giving me the inspiration this morning!
@Deerskin, I think you mean a HOAGIE. ;-)
Just kidding.
No,silly! It's a Sub, not a Hoagie! ; )
Thank you, theKitchn for not posting numerous cherry recipes like you did last year. Not only are cherries so not in season for pretty much the entire US, the George Washington cherry tree tale is patently false, as are many of our beloved legends of him.
I like "American" much better as a broad category. The rev war historic site I visited today had a pot of beef and vegetable stew bubbling away in a Dutch oven over an open fire. How's that for American?
Great post (although I'm still decidiing where laughter or tears would be an appropriate response to DEERSKIN's offering :| *longgggggg sigh*)
Discerning--your choice, though I'd choose laughter--as I did when reading Kaete, Becster.Henrich and Pamela's posts.
If you had any idea how demeaning the whole 'authentic' Mexican food question is, to Mexican-Americans, brought about by some well-known chiefs in the last ten years, you'd understand. But really, no one owns a good enchilada...even if it's made with cream cheese, just don't say it with a hard D. ;-).
For the record, in Puebla, Mexico I had Enchilada Suezas made with Swiss cheese and a tomato soup like sauce. Not my favorite...in fact when the waiter saw how much I didn't like my dish, he refunded my money.
OTH, Yum, Corned Beef and Cabbage...
A good tuna casserole with crunchy chips or breadcrumbs on top, or a well seasoned chicken pot pie/ pasty...It's amazing how many of them are under seasoned, have too little chicken or a soggy crust....