Enjoying American Regional Recipes and Cuisine
By John Mitzewich, About.com Guide to American Food
To truly understand American food, one must explore the extensive offerings of the nation's regional cuisines. From the creamy fish chowders of New England, down to Louisiana's famous jambalaya, all the way over to the wild mushrooms of Pacific Northwest, America's regional foods are as unique, and diverse, as the country itself.
- New England's Regional Recipes
- Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Recipes
- Southeast / Gulf Coast Regional Recipes
- Midwest Regional Recipes
New England's Regional Recipes
New England's regional recipes include classic favorites everyone loves, as well as modern, updated versions of recipes that date all the way back to the pilgrims. New England's regional cuisine has a very long and proud tradition.
- Maine Lobster Rolls
- Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Blueberry Muffins
- New England Clam Chowder
- Johnnycakes
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Recipes
From the street foods of the Big Apple, across Pennsylvania Dutch country, to the famous crab cakes of Maryland, the cuisine and recipes of this region were shaped by waves of European immigrants. Each group made recipes from their native countries, using the wide array of local ingredients, and created an impressive collection of regional recipes.
- "Oven-Fried" Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Easy Chicken Marsala
- Waldorf Salad
- Chicken Parmesan Bake
- Maryland Crab Cakes
Southeast / Gulf Coast Regional Recipes
Southern cooks have long considered their regional recipes unequaled in flavor, variety, and tradition - and it's hard to argue. So many of America's favorite dishes and recipes were born in the steamy, soulful south. The unique blend of European, Native Indian, Caribbean, and African cultures has produced an almost endless array of great American recipes.
- Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya
- Red Velvet Cupcake
- Peach and Mustard Glazed Pork Chops
- Low-Fat Southern Fried Chicken
- Sweet Potato Steak Fries
Midwest Regional Recipes
From the Great Lakes across the Great Plains, this hearty, satisfying food reflects the settlers that came here from Scandinavia, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Greece. When you combine their old world culinary traditions, with influences from the rest of the country, you get a collection of America's favorite recipes.
- Classic Roast Prime Rib of Beef
- Grilled Lamb Chops with Homemade Mint Jelly
- No-Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Fudge Cookies
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
- Cincinnati "Skyline" Chili
Southwest Regional Recipes
Recipes from the American Southwest were shaped by prehistoric Native tribes, hardy, resourceful cowboys, as well as Spanish and Mexican influences. This region's rustic recipes are some of the spiciest and most colorful American food anywhere.
- Spicy Chicken Lettuce Cups
- Chipotle Gravy
- Chili Verde - Green Pork Stew
- Spicy Lime and Chipotle Chicken Breasts
- How to Make Chimichangas
California Regional Recipes
California's amazing produce, concentration of some of the finest chefs in the world, and the region's anything goes attitude, makes for one of America's most fascinating regional cuisines.
- The Cobb Salad
- Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese
- Creamy Cheesy Asparagus Pizza
- Cioppino - San Francisco's Famous Seafood Stew
- Seared Scallops with Fava Beans, Bacon, and Mint
Northwest Regional Recipes
This region's rainy weather doesn't dampen the creative and diverse recipes that come from this part of America. From the great seafood of the rocky coastline, to the wild mushrooms and berries foraged deep in the forest, the northwest offers much more than a great cup of coffee!
