"American cuisine consists of the cooking style and traditional dishes prepared in the United States of America. It has been significantly influenced by Europeans, indigenous Native Americans, Africans, Latin Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and many other cultures and traditions."
Different regions within a country often have their own unique style of cooking and ingredients. Understanding these regional cuisines is important when learning about international cuisine.
Geographical regions: Exploring the different regions of the world and their unique cuisines.
Ingredients and flavors: Understanding the key ingredients and flavors that define the cuisine of different regions.
Cooking techniques: Learning about the cooking techniques used in different regional cuisines – for example, braising, grilling, roasting, etc.
Spices and seasonings: Understanding the role of spices and seasonings in different regional cuisines.
Culinary history: Understanding the ethnic and cultural context of regional cuisines, including their historical development and cultural significance.
Food traditions and holidays: Learning about the traditional foods that are eaten during special occasions and holidays in different regions.
Street food: Exploring the popular street food dishes in different regions.
Wine and beverage pairing: Understanding the wine and beverage pairings that complement regional dishes.
Sustainable and local cuisine: Learning about the use of local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients in regional cuisines.
Fusion cuisine: Understanding the influence of regional cuisines on fusion cuisine, and how different cultures have adopted certain dishes and integrated them into their own unique culinary traditions.
Cultural and social influences: Understanding how regional cuisine is shaped by cultural and social influences such as religion, trade, immigration, and globalization.
Traditional cooking methods: Learning about traditional cooking methods used in regional cuisines like clay oven, tandoor, open flame cooking, etc.
Specific diets: Exploring regional cuisines that cater to specific diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others.
Global trends in regional cuisine: Understanding how global influences and the culinary industry have impacted regional cuisines.
Regional desserts and sweets: Investigating the different desserts and sweets that define regional cuisines.
Italian Cuisine: Italian cuisine is famous for its pizza, pasta dishes, sauces, and seafood. It varies from region to region but has a strong emphasis on balanced flavors and using fresh, local ingredients.
Chinese Cuisine: Chinese cuisine boasts of being one of the oldest and richest culinary traditions in the world. It includes a diverse range of dishes, including stir-fries, dumplings, noodles, and soups.
Indian Cuisine: Indian cuisine is characterized by its use of spices, herbs, and unique cooking techniques. It includes a vast range of dishes, including curries, biryanis, chaats, and desserts.
Mexican Cuisine: Mexican cuisine is a vibrant and colorful blend of indigenous and Spanish influences. It includes dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, guacamole, and mole.
Thai Cuisine: Thai cuisine is known for its spicy and sour flavors and vibrant colors. It features dishes such as curries, stir-fries, soups, and noodles.
French Cuisine: French cuisine is renowned for its sophistication, elegance, and delicate flavors. It includes dishes such as cheese, wine, bread, pastries, and sauces.
Spanish Cuisine: Spanish cuisine is a fusion of influences from the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Middle East. It includes dishes like paella, tapas, and carne asada.
Japanese Cuisine: Japanese cuisine has a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and beautiful presentation. It includes sushi, sashimi, ramen, and tempura.
Korean Cuisine: Korean cuisine is famous for its spicy flavors and pickled vegetables. It includes dishes such as bulgogi, kimchi, bibimbap, and tofu soup.
Middle Eastern Cuisine: Middle Eastern cuisine uses a lot of herbs, spices, and grains to create rich and flavorful dishes. It includes dishes such as hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, and shawarma.
"Principal influences on American cuisine are European, Native American, soul food, regional heritages including Cajun, Louisiana Creole, Pennsylvania Dutch, Mormon foodways, Texan, Tex-Mex, New Mexican, and Tlingit, and the cuisines of immigrant groups such as Chinese American, Italian American, Greek American and Mexican American."
"American cooking dates back to the traditions of the Native Americans, whose diet included a mix of farmed and hunted food, and varied widely across the continent."
"The Colonial period created a mix of Native and Old World cookery, and brought with it new crops and livestock."
"With an increasing influx of immigrants, and a move to city life, American food further diversified in the later part of the 19th century."
"The 20th century saw a revolution in cooking as new technologies, the World Wars, a scientific understanding of food, and continued immigration combined to create a wide range of new foods."
"Highlights of American cuisine include milkshakes, barbecue, and a wide range of fried foods."
"Many quintessential American dishes are unique takes on food originally from other culinary traditions, including pizza, hot dogs, and Tex-Mex."
"Regional highlights include a range of fish dishes in the coastal states, gumbo, and cheesesteak."
"American cuisine has specific foods that are eaten on holidays, such as a turkey at thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner."
"This has allowed for the current rich diversity in food dishes throughout the country."
"This was driven in part by the many chefs and television personalities who contributed to the rise of the culinary arts in America."
"Modern American cuisine includes a focus on fast food, as well as take-out food, which is often ethnic."
"The large size of America and its long history of immigration have created an especially diverse cuisine that varies by region."
"It has been significantly influenced by Europeans, indigenous Native Americans, Africans, Latin Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and many other cultures and traditions."
"The 20th century saw a revolution in cooking as new technologies, the World Wars, a scientific understanding of food, and continued immigration combined to create a wide range of new foods."
"Many quintessential American dishes are unique takes on food originally from other culinary traditions, including pizza, hot dogs, and Tex-Mex."
"Regional highlights include a range of fish dishes in the coastal states, gumbo, and cheesesteak."
"The large size of America and its long history of immigration have created an especially diverse cuisine that varies by region."
"There is also a vibrant culinary scene in the country surrounding televised celebrity chefs."