10/07 American Food

For class, we are supposed to create a menu of typically American foods for a restaurant in another country, without using hamburgers, french fries or pizza. I would focus my menu on the local dishes of the southern United States, where mixing of cultures combined to create unique and well-loved foods.

Fried Chicken
 - I would include fried chicken because it is a very popular dish both in the south and all around. It's tasty breaded crunch is a favorite of many people.

Steak
 - Steak has been a staple of the American diet for a very long time. The American southwest has a long history for cattle farming, and a hearty diet of meat and potatoes is common in much of the country. Steak is a must on any menu showcasing American food because, even though it may not historically be only an American treat, many think of it as a fundamental part of our diet.

Mashed Potatoes
 - Potatoes are not an American only food. In fact, many countries have flirted with the potato before. Yet along with steak, mashed potatoes are a part of many American holiday traditions, and even nightly meals. It is an integral part of the "stick to your ribs" kinds of food that many people identify with American cuisine.

Gumbo
 - Gumbo is not exactly in the same category as the universal steak, fried chicken and potatoes, yet it is one of the quintessential cuisines of the gulf region. Gumbo mixes the culinary traditions of many different areas to come up with something uniquely tasty.

Barbecue
 - What menu of American foods would be complete without another of our traditional favorites? Barbecue is a tasty and flavorful way of cooking meats that is common in much of the southern United States, and in many other regions as well.

Corn Bread
 - Bread made from corn meal is a popular side dish in many places. It was a familiar companion at many of my families meals and many others as well. There are many different variations on corn bread, showcasing the different influences on American cuisine. Corn bread is a must on a menu of Southern American favorites because of its traditional standing as well as the fact that the main ingredients are ones native to our country.

Pumpkin pie
 - Made of another native food, pumpkin pie is a delicious staple of Thanksgiving and Autumn meals. Like corn bread, it is not only a beloved food for many Americans, but a historically significant dish. It is traditional dessert in North America and Canada, and thus has a rightful place on any menu that reflects the best of American cuisine.