To be honest, the notion of "American national cuisine" does not exist. The vast majority of recipes used in the US were brought here by numerous emigrants from around the globe, and gradually during the interaction these recipes developed into a special and sometimes very original American culinary tradition.
How American cuisine was formed
The history of American cuisine begins with the traditions of English cuisine of the 17th-18th centuries, which quickly absorbed the culinary preferences of North American Indians( maple syrup, sweet potato and corn).Then the formation of American cuisine was influenced by Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Slavic and many other types of cuisines. And so today, among the "American" dishes are dishes such as pizza and sausages, pasta and steak in Hamburg. .. Americans like vegetable-based salads, and they can be as simple as possible, and can be complex and multicomponent.
The 20th century became decisive for American cooking, it was at this time that it went along a certain path in its development. First of all, this was due to the growing number of urban population and the reduction of those who lived in the countryside. The rapid development of industrial production and the country's participation in the arms race required a lot of effort and time, which was already lacking in the preparation of intricate and complex dishes. The question of supplying the population with inexpensive and generally available fast food became very acute at that time.
The solution to the problem was the maximum simplification of food in terms of both composition and method of preparation. Semiproducts and ready-made products with bread began to appear everywhere, which could be eaten with cold silt or heated. These include numerous hamburgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, French fries, cutlets, scrambled eggs, coca-cola, coffee, etc.
Today, in the area of American public catering, fast food restaurants, which are usually called fast food, as well as a variety of restaurants of national cuisines, are the main competitors of fast food because of the presence of their menu of natural and affordable dishes. Such contradictions in the development of American cuisine do not allow her to characterize clearly.
Besides, when you come to visit, you will not see on the table dishes from ready-made semi-finished products. In America, they are honored with traditional solemn and family dinners and nourish them with a special, somewhat quivering attitude. Dishes that are served in this case to the table are always prepared according to traditional family recipes. And it's worth talking about them in more detail.
Popular dishes of American cuisine
Recipes of the same American cuisine dishes will vary depending on the staff. Similarly, recipes that are characteristic of different regions of the United States vary. For example, the traditional dishes of the southern states are chicken, deep-fried, barbecue, beef schnitzel, crab dishes, bread and fritters from cornmeal.
In the Midwest, traditional baked potatoes, beef steak, fried on charcoal and chocolate cake are traditional. Since the influence of Italian cuisine is particularly strong in the Midwest, ravioli and pizza are included in the list of traditional dishes.
Traditional dishes of the south-western part of the country show the influence of Mexican cuisine. The fusion of such different culinary traditions gave rise to tex-Mex, whose typical dishes are burritos, fajitas, tacos, stuffed sweet peppers, etc.
On the side dish, most of the American dishes are served with rice, most often a long brown one. Another integral feature of American cuisine is the use of seasonings and spices. Especially here like pepper, garlic powder, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, bay leaf, vanilla, cumin, cinnamon.
The flag of the championship in the title of the characters of American cuisine invariably holds a Christmas turkey with apples and apple pie.
American cuisine can impress with its contradictions and diversity. Even if its traditions are not as ancient and profound as that of many other nations, but the fact that today it is the American recipes that influence the culinary preferences of the inhabitants of many countries is absolutely indisputable fact.