American Proud to be an American!
By Sue Zelickson
Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day all find red, white and blue foods appearing on buffets and at picnics to proudly celebrate being American. It fills one with pride when enjoying a cake or cupcake frosted to look like an American flag. Can you remember the recent flack about calling our favorite deep-fried potatoes French or American fries? (Sadly, however, I think that the French came out on top of that battle.) American habits and tastes are hard to abandon. I recall being in Europe the first time and longing for a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In fact it was the very first thing we ate when we returned home, and the next time we took a jar of peanut butter in our suitcase. A chef friend of mine missed root beer so much when living
in France that she brewed her own and branded it when she returned to the States. We do take many of our American foods and resources for granted. The local and sustainable movements have brought more attention to the fact that home-grown foods from our local soil tastes the freshest and the best. Keep in mind when you dine out at the restaurants in this guide that many do use local products and purchase their ingredients from local farmers and producers. Let them know how much you appreciate what they are doing for you and for the local economy. Many of them will highlight the exact source and location of the foods they use and print it right on the menus. Enjoy eating American food proudly!
hat’s as American as apple pie? Comfort foods from home kitchens are showing up on restaurant menus in all price ranges. Don’t you love it when you find glorified macaroni and cheese, delectable pot roast and short ribs at gourmet high-end dining establishments? Who would have thought your mom’s meatloaf would be served at your local café or bistro? Sliders and quarter pounders are now made with fresh-ground kobe beef on whole wheat artisan buns and found at diners, not White Castle or Mickey D’s. The world of food is constantly evolving but going back to our roots and the basics keep popping up again and again. Holidays like the Fourth of July, Presidents Day, Columbus Day, Flag
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