The Half Hour Meals’ 2012 Culinary World Tour continues its journey, this time stopping off at the United States of America. This is the second article of ten that will delve into the culinary world of famous Summer Olympic countries. Read our recipes from these cultural meccas and submit your own!
The United States of America is one big melting pot of cultures. Known for it’s Hollywood culture and Miami beaches, there is much more to this country than meets the eye. In this article we touch on all sides of the United States. Join us for our culinary journey across this great nation!
1. Lemonade. While lemonade can be found in many different cultures, the fresh squeezed lemonade stand is a very American idea. Give this drink a try on hot summer days for a refreshing flavor.
2. Mint Julep. This chilled drink is made from Bourbon whiskey, mint, and sugar. This Southern drink is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, where over 120,000 mint juleps are served in a two day period.
3. Stuffed Mushrooms. A classic American appetizer, the humble stuffed mushroom packs a lot of flavor. Button mushrooms are packed with bacon and cream cheese and baked in the oven until delicious.
4. Sloppy Joes. A sloppy joe is a meat mixture with a tomato based sauce, served on a soft bun. It was invented in Iowa as a variation on a “loose meat” sandwich. The tomato sauce gives it a tangy kick.
5. Grilled Steak. There is not much more american than a good Steakhouse. Grill a beautifully aged cut of beef on a charcoal grill with just a little salt and pepper for a pure, meaty taste.
6. Catfish. In the Southern United States, catfish is widely eaten and considered a delicacy. On June 25th, 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared it National Catfish Day in celebration of this dish.
7. Buffalo Wings. Buffalo wings were created in Buffalo, New York, where they simply refer to them as “wings”. The sauce is equal parts hot sauce and butter and is deliciously spicy.
8. Oysters Rockefeller. These baked oysters are topped with herbs, butter, breadcrumbs, and different alcohols. This special recipe was created in New Orleans and the maker took the ingredient list to his grave.
9. New York Style Cheesecake. The New York-style cheesecake is rich and thick with a very creamy texture. It is very dense so only try a thin piece at a time!
10. Apple Pie. There is an expression, “as American as apple pie” and this is very true. Try apple pie with a piece of cheddar cheese for a down home classic flavor.
Angela Nightingale
If you want to know the best cupcake shop in any major city in America, just ask Angela. This girl knows her sweets, and she isn't shy about letting you know that your german chocolate cake needs more chocolate. If you want to find Angela on any given day, she's probably looking up reviews to decide where to grab lunch, or in her downtime, binge-watching the latest 'it-series' on Netflix.
