| There are a few great American recipes that | | | | your teeth into a New York Pizza or a licking |
| have become part of our culinary heritage. At | | | | Texas barbecue sauce off your fingers? Tex-Mex |
| home they are enjoyed with good company and | | | | food is also extremely popular worldwide. |
| are a vital part of our celebrations. Overseas, | | | | Not just American mothers are preparing |
| they remind us of home and the family and | | | | Meatloaf and Macaroni and Cheese to feed their |
| friends who wish we were with them. These | | | | growing children. Made of simple ingredients and |
| great American recipes are robust and simple and | | | | easily assembled, these are recipes that appeal to |
| hark back to a time when the world was a | | | | children all over. And who can deny the appeal of |
| simpler friendlier place. | | | | those American classics - Brownies and Apple Pie? |
| America has a diverse culinary tradition, reflecting | | | | No list of great American recipes is complete |
| the origin and growth of this country. For years | | | | without mentioning the cuisines of the South, |
| American food has been given short shrift | | | | namely Creole and Cajun. These cuisines are |
| because of its hearty nature, but it is now valued | | | | typically American, being a blend of French, |
| for its variety and creativity. Some American | | | | Spanish and African techniques used to cook local |
| foods have been accepted worldwide by young | | | | ingredients. Jambalaya, Black Eyed Peas, |
| people because of its association with modernity | | | | Smothered Chicken and Gumbo are some dishes |
| and a fast paced life. American fast food chains | | | | unique to the American south. Rice is a staple of |
| can be found almost all over the world, catering | | | | both these cuisines and they make ample use of |
| to young people's cravings for hamburgers, hot | | | | freshly caught or harvested local foodstuffs such |
| dogs and pizzas. | | | | as yams, pecans and okra. Crayfish, crab and |
| American restaurants are also holding their own | | | | oysters are also used frequently. |
| against their more sophisticated cousins from | | | | Growing numbers of restaurants world wide have |
| Europe or Asia. They tend to be more vibrant | | | | started to look to great American recipes to |
| and lively and this goes well with the nature of | | | | include in their menus. That comes as welcome |
| the food. The generous portion sizes of American | | | | news to Americans looking for a piece of home |
| meals reflect the warmth and openness of its | | | | when they are abroad. |
| people. What could be more American than sinking | | | | |