What is American Food?

The fourth of July is approaching and I cannot be prouder to have been born in this great nation.  I have lived in six countries and although every place has had an impact on me, like my father would always say, there’s no place like home. When I lived in Europe, I would hear negative remarks about American food.  People automatically thought American food is McDonald’s or some other fast food.  Many wonder “What is American food?”.  To me, American food is everything and anything.  From the fusion of different cultures to the classics, our dishes represent the melange of cultures which makes the United States beautiful.  To me, the diversity of this country is what makes me the proudest of being an American.  This is not only seen in the faces of our citizens but in the influences of our food. On this post I share some of my favorite food photos of my collection.

What is American Food?

1. Maryland Crab.  One of the highlights of living in Washington, DC is the abundance of crab. Summers in the area consists of many day trips to Annapolis to indulge in Maryland Crab either in the form of crabcakes or just eating them as it with a generous sprinkling of Old Bay.

2. Hot Dogs. I love going on road trips around the country and eating at local joints. You truly see the passion of some of these restaurants, some making their own sausages, bread, beers, among other items. Western New York has strong Canadian influences and you can see that with the poutine served along the homemade hot dogs at FLX Wienery in the Finger Lakes.

3.  Chinese Food.  Some may question my ethnic choices on my list, but Chinese food is a big part of American cuisine, even featured in one of our classics, A Christmas Story.  One of my favorite things to do when I visit NYC is discover the restaurants of Chinatown with my Chinese American friends.  Listening to them order in Cantonese “off the menu” and being surprised with a delicious dumplings or savory noodles makes my day.

4.  Cupcakes. Who doesn’t love cupcakes?  When I lived in Brussels, I funded many trips with my side business, True Love Cupcakes. I enjoyed whipping dozens of cupcakes topped with buttercream to give American expats and locals alike a taste of home.  I am not a big fan of stereotypes but one can’t help to think of the good ‘ol USA when you bite into a cupcake.

5.  Mexican Food.  One of the things I craved when I lived abroad was good Mexican food.  Even in culinary power countries like Japan or Belgium, my experiences were always disappointing.  When I lived abroad, one of the first things I used to do upon touchdown was look for good Mexican food at my destination.  Thankful DC has some delicious restaurants to choose from.

6.  Fried Chicken.  Most American families, regardless of your ethnic background made fried chicken part of their dining table at one point or another growing up.  Growing up, mom used to make fried chicken with a side of arroz con habichuelas (rice and beans).  Washington, DC has many southern influences and that is reflected in many restauratns in the city which have included fried chicken to their fine dining menu.  Some recipes have been passed on from generation to generation and it is fun to hear all the different techniques that exist on how to get the perfect crispy skin.

7.  Salads.  Many world cuisines are anchored in centuries of traditions, especially in Europe. Rarely will you see someone deviate from the winning formula of a  Salade Niçoise in France or Kartoffelsalat in Germany.  Did you know the Caesar salad was invented by  Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who operated restaurants in Mexico and the United States? Funny enough, most accounts state that it was invented on a 4th of July!

8. Pizza.  Yes, I have been to Napoli and had the original Napoletana and yes, nothing can compare.  However, pizza is deeply ingrained in our American culture.  Whether it is ordering out on a Friday night with your family, the classic Brooklyn slice or Chicago Deep Dish,  most Americans have a food memory associated with pizza!

9. Burgers.  One of the main items in any 4th of July family gathering menu are burgers.  Around the world, people associate Americans with burgers.  I’ve seen burger joints from Kraków, Poland to Okinawa, Japan created by locals inspired by our dear American classic.  Whether is the standard patty dad throws on the grill to organic creations, the burger will always be a staple of American cuisine.

10. Barbecue:  Barbecue is not only a 4th of July classic but also a regional cultural staple.  Many cities in the United States such as Austin and Kansas City pride themselves with their barbecue offerings.  During the summer, thousands of Barbecue festivals and contests sprout across the country for those in search for ribs with meat falling off the bone or tender smoked briskets.

The list can go on of items I consider American.  From New York bagels to Cuban food in Miami to hush puppies of South Carolina, American food is creative, inventive, and unrestricted.  In a country of over 300 million people of mostly immigrant origins, you can truly see the fusion of cultures from fine dining to roadside stands. What is American food to you? Share in the comments.