We love American food – there’s sometimes nothing better than a burger, fries and onion rings – with all the “fixin’s” of course. Pickle, mustard, relish and ketchup. A good American meal should need several napkins (we one ate in a restaurant in New York called Five Napkin Burger!) and leave you with a food-stained face.

Foodies never need a reason to celebrate or try new things and since our American cousins have just celebrated Independence Day we thought we’d look at some flavours (or should that be flavors?) from stateside and decide what we’d like to try the most. It was a difficult decision and one we’ve not resolved yet!

While some of the US staples such as burgers, fried chicken and hot-dogs may not sound refined, they have that feel-good factor that a good meal must deliver. What else falls into that category? Ribs? Well, they can come as a gut-busting full rack or you could try something a little smaller and more delicate like an Asian-flavoured spare rib or Peking rib if you’ve got a lighter appetite. Similarly with fried chicken, you could try a different rub or batter for the chicken, adding some spice or extra herbs to give it that extra “zing”.

Why not stay patriotic to the US, but try a more “deli” feel? Some rye bread with salt beef or pastrami, turkey and some sauerkraut?

And that’s just the main meals! When we looked harder there was a huge array of pies, waffles and other sweet treats to get the tastebuds going. But this was the most intriguing. Chef James Martin has made this chocolate cake with an added twist – with that US favourite – Coca Cola. That’s one we’ll definitely be trying in the development kitchen.

So with 4th July still fresh in the mind, if you like simple, good, honest food – why not get the barbecue out and get cooking, US-style?

About Neil Shaefer
Marketing & Communications Executive of SK Foods.
Your food. Our Passion.