The Most Popular Ethnic Cuisines

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The United States is often described as a melting pot because it is home to generations from many countries, nationalities, and backgrounds. That diversity is worn as a badge of honor for many who live and cook the United States, and is one that foodies in particular may be especially appreciative of. Most every type of ethnic cuisine imaginable is available just about everywhere throughout the United States, especially in its larger cities, where whole neighborhoods have developed around specific immigrant nationalities. A recent analysis of search data by the international food website Chef’s Pencil, found the following foods especially popular among diners:

1. Chinese. Chinese food is the most searched for cuisine on the internet. Chinese food is especially popular in the northeastern United States, and New Jersey in particular. Residents of Delaware, New York and Connecticut also are enamored with Chinese food. New York City and San Francisco, CA in particular have vibrant Chinatown neighborhoods, where authentic Chinese, Japanese and even Korean foods are plentiful and easy to find.

2. Mexican. Although the U.S. and Mexico share a border, Mexican food did not catch on in the United States until starting around 1910, almost 60 years after the US acquired the then independent republic of Texas from Mexico in the Mexican-American war. Mexican cuisine is now the second most popular food in the U.S., based on current trends data. That popularity might be why 11% of restaurants in the United States are indeed Mexican restaurants.

3. Italian. Italian cuisine rounds out the top three. Residents of New Jersey and New York find Italian cuisine especially hard to resist, an understandable preference given the number of Italian neighborhoods and generations of families in those regions. Surprisingly, though, this beloved ethnic cuisine is also wildly popular in many other parts of the United States, especially Tampa, FL, and San Diego, CA.

4. Thai. If the popularity of Chinese, Mexican and Italian food does not raise an eyebrow, the fourth most popular ethnic cuisine just might. Thai food does not have as lengthy a relationship with American diners as the top three styles of cuisine on this list, having not taken off until the early 2000s. But the popularity of Thai food is undeniable. Authentic Thai food tends to be lighter than Chinese, Mexican and Italian foods, and its health benefits are not lost on

Healthy Herbs and Spices for a Healthy New Year

STATEWIDE - can help lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol levels.

With a new year comes the requisite resolutions, which will most likely include incorporating a healthier diet and exercise. A nutritious diet is a key component of a healthy lifestyle, and when paired with regular physical activity, can help dramatically reduce their risk for various diseases, including heart disease.

Cayenne Pepper the general public. Traditional Thai cuisine is quite healthy and largely based on vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh herbs and spices. Readers may be surprised to learn that Thai food is most popular in Alaska.

5. Indian. The popularity of Indian food is a testament to the allure of spice. Though it is the fifth most popular ethnic cuisine in the United States, Indian food is wildly popular on both coasts. In fact, internet trend data indicates its highest popularity scores are in New Jersey and Washington state.

It is worth noting that these delicious ethnic cuisines are not only popular in the United States. Canadians also favor many of the same ethnic cuisines that their southern neighbors enjoy. According to Chef’s Pencil, Chinese food is the most popular ethnic cuisine in Canada, followed by Italian, Thai, Indian and Mexican in that order.

Article content provided by MetroCreative, via Chef’s Pencil, www.chefspencil.com. The Weekly Sentinel does not endorse any products or services suggested by articles from MetroCreative.

Puzzle Answers

According to the World Health Organization, Ischemic heart disease and stroke claim more lives each year than any other disease, annually accounting for roughly 15% of all deaths across the globe. Many deaths caused by heart disease can be prevented, and eating a healthy diet is a great preventive measure that anyone can take.

Though some people may associate healthy diets with bland foods that lack flavor, people can incorporate various heart-healthy herbs and spices into their favorite dishes to make them more nutritious and flavorful:

Garlic

Garlic has long since earned its place on the kitchen spice rack. However, botanically, garlic is neither an herb or a spice, but a vegetable. Regardless of how it’s classified, garlic is loaded with flavor and can be used to improve just about any recipe, all the while benefitting heart health. The United Statesbased health services provider Mercy Health notes that garlic

Few ingredients may change a recipe as quickly as cayenne pepper. The addition of cayenne pepper can instantly make dishes more spicy. But cayenne pepper brings more than a little extra kick to the dinner table. Healthline notes that various studies have shown that capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, can provide a host of health benefits. One such study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that adding capsaicin to a high-carbohydrate breakfast significantly reduced hunger

See SPICES on page 14 . . .