AMERICAN FOOD

What is "American" food anyway? Few people ask this question on a regular basis. To me American food is corn and tomatoes and all the other wonderful products that are grown across this continent. I would also have to say that it is McDonald's and Burger King. These last two, if seen through narrow goggles from a foreigner's perspective are the most American of food there is. Heck, they even sell that great American pastime and food, apple pie, at both of these establishments. I guess the lesson to be learned here is that there may not be any one thing called "American" food from a world-wide perspective unless you dig a little deeper. There is Mexican food, Italian food, and Ethiopian cuisine, to name a few. These traditions in cooking are ubiquitous yet where does the good old US of A stand in the scheme of culinary tradition?

FUSION FOODS.

Fusion food is exactly what the name implies; a fusion of tradition and ingredients not possible without the ebb and nearly constant flowing of globalization. Whether we like it or not the United States of America is comprised of every nationality on the planet. That is some heavy influence in every gastronomic direction! What follows and continues to evolve is food that can be ostentatious, practical, or sometimes a bizarre confluence of sweet, sour, and bitterly delightful.
Whether it is seared Tempe and spinach feta wraps or a Thai version of clam chowder with a coconut milk base; Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern cooking traditions fused to allow nearly unlimited variety. To that I say, "Bon appetit."