tastes - usembassy.gov · 2017-08-14 · whatever your tastes, there’s no shortage of ways to...

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

WINFIELD HOUSEJULY 2013

TASTES OF THE USARECIPE BOOK

WELCOME

Welcome to the United States of America; so much more than a destination. It’s a land where everything is possible, so anything is possible. Where imagination becomes reality and nothing is too new, too big or too far away to actually happen. Whether you’re exploring a larger-than-life city or wandering way off the beaten path, there is something different to experience – and taste – around every corner. From the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in-between, the USA has a varied and famed food scene. Expect to see thick barbecue ribs and smoked brisket delivered piping hot at a Texas roadhouse; watch talented chefs blend organic, fresh-off-the-farm produce with Asian twists at award-winning West Coast restaurants; get your fix of fresh bagels and lox at a century-old deli in Manhattan’s

Upper West Side, or indulge in plump pancakes, fried bacon and eggs over easy under the clatter of cutlery at a 1950s-style diner. Steaming plates of fresh lobster are served at the waterside in Maine, while oysters and champagne are quaffed in fashionable city wine bars, and beer and pizza are served at an authentic Midwestern watering hole.

Whatever your tastes, there’s no shortage of ways to dine or drink à la Americana. Whatever you’re having, enjoy it with a glass of locally produced wine or microbrew beer. Here are some mouth-watering recipes from all across America that are prepared in the kitchen of the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in the United Kingdom. Get cooking and enjoy these tastes of the USA! Discover the tastes of this land, like never before.

CONTENTS

4SOUTH CAROLINA PULLED PORK ON MINI BUNS

12

8

16

28

24

32

36

20

MARYLAND MARYLANDCRAB CAKES

40

NEW HAMPSHIRECLAM CHOWDER

CALIFORNIA VEGETARIAN

SUSHI

MAINE CHOCOLATE

BROWNIES

MASSACHUSETTS CHOCOLATE

CHIP COOKIES

TEXASBEEF CHILI IN PASTRY SHELLS WITH GUACAMOLE

FLORIDA MINI KEYLIME PIES

GEORGIA MINI PECAN PIES

LOUISIANA CHEESE BISCUITSWITH POPPY SEEDS

SOUTH CAROLINA

CHARLESTONFRENCH

QUARTER

4

DISCOVER SOUTH CAROLINA

Shaped roughly like a diamond by geography, polished by more than 300

years of American history and made gracious by a tradition of hospitality, South Carolina offers visitors a broad

array of attractions and accommodation. The state is distinguished by historic districts found in former mill villages; small Southern towns and cities, most

notably Charleston; more than 200 miles of beaches and coastal attractions; over 380 golf courses; outstanding outdoor destinations; and culinary specialties

that draw from the land and sea. Every restaurant worth its salt offers

shrimp and grits (coarsely ground corn) on its menu. The best dishes start with

grits from Anson Mills, which grinds heirloom grains into the creamiest grits you’ll ever have. Shrimp must be from local waters and smothered, sautéed

and seasoned with onions, sweet peppers and some sort of pork—ham,

bacon, or sausage. Boiled peanuts, South Carolina’s official state snack, are different from any peanuts you’ve ever eaten before—the raw, green peanuts are boiled in salt water becoming soft and squishy; they sit in salty juice just

waiting to be slurped down. Get them at any country store or farmers market.

SOUTH CAROLINA

PULLEDPORK

ON MINIBUNS

6

I N G R E D I E N T S

Pulled Pork 2kg Pork Shoulder – trimmed of fat

250ml Cider Vinegar 1 tbsp Chili Flakes

1 tbsp Whole Grain Mustard 3 White Onions - sliced 6 Garlic Cloves - sliced

100ml BBQ Sauce

Mini Buns 256ml Whole Milk

5g Caster Sugar 10g Dried Yeast424g Plain Flour

5g Salt 2 Eggs

75g Softened Unsalted Butter 20g Sesame Seeds for garnish

M E T H O D (MAKES UP TO 48)

Pulled Porkl Pre-heat oven to 1700Cl Mix mustard and chili flakes together and rub into pork shoulderl Place pork in a roasting tray, cover with sliced onions, garlic and cider vinegarl Cover with grease proof paper and foil and cook for 3 hoursl Remover paper and foil and cook for a further hour at 2000Cl Remove from oven and shred with two forksl Mix with BBQ sauce and serve in buns

Mini Buns l Pre-heat oven to 2000Cl Dissolve yeast in luke-warm milkl Mix all dry ingredients togetherl Add butter, milk/yeast mix and one beaten eggl Using a dough hook, knead in an electric mixer until smooth – for about 10 minutes l Put dough in a bowl, cover with a cloth and allow to prove in a warm place until doubled in size – about 30 minutesl Divide dough into 48 equal sized balls – approx. 16g eachl Roll the balls and place in a greased muffin trayl Cover with cling film and allow to prove in a warm place until doubled in size – about 30 minutesl Brush each bun lightly with well beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seedsl Bake for 8 minutes until golden brown l Cool on a wire rack

This South Carolina-style pulled pork is a variation of the dish that rose in popularity because it utilised the often unwanted and less expensive parts of the pig. If

prepared traditionally over a slow smoke-filled grill, pulled pork should take 8-10 hours to cook; this version takes about 4 hours. Help yourself to a mint julep while

you’re waiting for this Southern delicacy to cook.

FOOD FACT

This regional recipe is nicknamed ‘Carolina Gold’

and traditionally the cooking time would be all-day!

MARYLAND

BALTIMORE

8

DISCOVER MARYLAND

Maryland is often called ‘America in miniature’ for its varied landscape;

from mountains to its winding Atlantic coastline. The state was a centre of military battles during the American Civil War, and visitors can follow four

Civil War Trails carved by the footsteps of soldiers from that era. In Baltimore, you can visit the birthplace of Babe

Ruth or the National Aquarium. Alternatively, Annapolis, the port city

that was once the capital of the U.S., is home to colonial buildings, as well as

the United States Naval Academy; from there, you can set sail on a schooner

in the Chesapeake Bay where you can crack open a delicious crab claw…

or a dozen!

The Bay is the largest estuary on the continent of North America, and its Eastern Shore owes its renown to

miles of wetlands, coves and quaint waterfront towns. The triangle formed by Easton, Oxford and St. Michaels is

the area’s most popular destination - a charming enclave of pre-Revolutionary

and Federalist houses. Browse the antiques stores in Easton, the unofficial capital of the region, before travelling to Oxford, one of the best-preserved colonial settlements in the country.

Check in at the Robert Morris Inn, which dates back to 1710 and is where James

Michener wrote parts of his novel Chesapeake.

10

MARYLAND

MARYLANDCRABCAKES

FOOD FACT

The two most common styles of Maryland crab cakes are known

as ‘Boardwalk’ and ‘Restaurant’. Boardwalk crab cakes are typically breaded and deep-fried and served

on a hamburger bun. Restaurant crab cakes, which are sometimes called gourmet crab cakes, are

often prepared with no filler, and are composed of all-lump crab

meat served on a platter or open-faced sandwich.


500g White Crab Meattake care to make sure

no shell bits are present

50g Panko Bread Crumbs 50g Mayonnaise

25g Parsley – finely chopped 1 Egg

½ tsp Old Bay Seasoning 1tbsp Dijon Mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce 1½ Lemons – juiced

M E T H O D (MAKES 24)

l Mix together crab meat, chopped parsley and bread crumbsl Mix together mayonnaise, egg, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juicel Combine well the two mixtures and chill for 20 minutesl Shape into small balls and flatten slightly with the tines of a forkl Fry in a pan until golden and crisp on both sidesl Allow to cool slightly and serve with a sweet chili sauce

The State of Maryland’s long coastline, especially the Chesapeake Bay, teems with numerous species of fish and crustaceans. It is no surprise that this originally

English dish dates back to America’s colonial settlers. These days, crab cakes are also served in a soft roll as a tasty sandwich.

NEWHAMPSHIRE

ALBANYCOVEREDBRIDGE

12

DISCOVER NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire may look small on the map, but its diverse regions offer a

variety of destinations and attractions - from historic river valleys to the soaring peaks of the highest mountains in the

Northeast. Roads lined with stone walls lead to quintessential New England villages, miles of scenic forests and

parks, inviting lakes, picture-postcard rural landscapes and a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities.

New Hampshire has three great kinds of playground: mountains, ocean and

lakes. And because the state is compact, you can experience more than one in a single day. Swim and suntan on 18 miles

of Atlantic Ocean beach, cruise Lake Winnipesaukee, or picnic near Echo

Lake in the White Mountains.

In the autumn, trees glow with vibrant colours and orchards overflow with

ripe fruit ready for picking. Bright reds, oranges, yellows and golds make the

entire state a breathtaking sight during the autumn months, but visitors will want to make sure they take a drive on ‘The Kanc’, as locals call it. The

Kancamagus Scenic Byway is a 28-mile road that stretches from Conway to North Woodstock through the heart

of the White Mountain National Forest. There are hundreds of miles of hiking

trails and fishing spots accessible from the highway.

14

NEWHAMPSHIRE

CLAMCHOWDER


500g Yukon Gold Potatoes - peeled and diced

(may substitute other potatoes)

227g Bacon - diced113g Unsalted Butter

950ml Milk950ml Single Cream

12oz can Corn40 Littleneck Clams

(may substitute other clams)

1 Large Onion, diced 2 Cloves Garlic - minced 4 Celery Stalks - diced

3 sprigsThyme 30g Chopped Chives for garnish

M E T H O D (MAKES APPROX. 60 SHOT GLASSES)

l In a large pan, place clams in water to coverl Boil until clams are opened and remove from shellsl Reserve the cooking liquor/brothl In a large pot, melt butter on medium heatl Add onion, garlic, celery, bacon, salt pepper and thymel Cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until all is softenedl Add potatoes and corn, 475ml of the reserved clam broth, milk and cream and cook gently for one hour until the potatoes are softl Put in a blender and pulsel Serve in shot glasses l Sprinkle with finely chopped chives

This creamy clam chowder is typical of that most often served in the Northeastern United States. It is distinct from the tomato-based Manhattan clam chowder

of Southern New York State. If you’re looking to add a kick, stir in some vinegar-based hot sauce and enjoy!

FOOD FACT

Including tomatoes in clam chowder made in the New England states

is discouraged. A 1939 bill making tomatoes in clam chowder illegal was introduced in the Maine legislature.

TEXAS

AUSTINCOLORADO

RIVER

16

DISCOVER TEXAS

Stroll along the San Antonio River Walk. Take in Austin’s amazing music scene. Visit the Dallas Arts District. Check out

the twice-daily cattle drives in Fort Worth. Explore the history of America’s

space programme in Houston. Go for a hike in Big Bend National Park - and that’s just for starters. The Lone Star State offers an incredible variety of

experiences, from exciting cities and rich Western heritage to rugged outdoor

adventures and unique history.

A drive through the Big Bend Country in West Texas will leave you awestruck by the rugged beauty of its mountain

ranges, deep canyons, vivid sunsets and vast expanses of breathtaking scenery.

Texans are justifiably proud of their slow-smoked meats and there are numerous stops along the Texas Barbeque Trail – Kreuz Market in

Lockhart, Louis Meuller Barbeque in Taylor, and the Southside Market in Elgin to name just a few – all easily accessible from Austin. And given that that Texas borders Mexico, it’s no wonder that this

state is the birthplace of hearty and flavourful Tex-Mex cuisine!

18

TEXAS

BEEF CHILI IN PASTRY

SHELLSWITH

GUACAMOLE


Beef Chili 1tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 Small Onion - diced500g Lean Ground Beef

1 Clove Garlic - minced ¼ tsp Smoked Pimento Pdr/Chipotle

1 tsp Ground Cumin ½ tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground

¼ tsp Chili Powder ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper

½ tsp Dried Oregano ½ tsp Sugar

1 Large Red Bell Pepperseeded and diced

15oz can Tomato Sauce 1 tbspTomato Paste

15oz can Kidney Beansdrained but NOT rinsed

1 cup Water, or more if needed 48 Sun-dried Tomato ready-made

pastry cups (4cm diameter)

Guacamole 2 Ripe Avocados

1 Lime - juiced1 de-seeded Red Chili½ tsp Cumin Powder

M E T H O D (MAKES APPROX. 48)

Beef Chilil In a heavy pan heat the vegetable oil and add the diced onionsl Sauté over medium heat until soft – about 5 minutes l Add the ground beef and cook for 10 minutesl As the beef browns, use a wooden spoon to break the meat into very small piecesl Add the garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, black pepper, chipotle cayenne, oregano and sugarl Cook, stirring, for 2 minutesl Stir in the diced bell peppers, tomato sauce, tomato paste and waterl Bring up to a simmer; reduce the heat; cook, uncovered for 60 minutes, stirring occasionallyl Stir in the beans and simmer for 30 minutes morel Add more water during this cooking stage to achieve the required thicknessl Taste and adjust seasoning as desiredl Spoon into pastry cups and served with guacamole on top

Guacamole l Remove avocado flesh from skin and place in a blenderl Add juice of the lime, chili and cumin powderl Blend until smooth

By the middle of the 19th century, chili dishes were already an established staple in the diet of cowboys and prospectors in the Southwestern United States,

where this dish originates. A dollop of guacamole, sour cream, or both, can cool the spiciness of a fiery ‘bowl of red’.

FOOD FACT

Early recipes from the California Avocado Advisory Board (Calavo),

published in the 1940s, were accompanied with a pronunciation

suggestion: ‘Say Huakamole’.

CALIFORNIA

ORANGE COUNTY

HUNTINGTONBEACH

20

DISCOVER CALIFORNIA

Sunny beaches, towering redwoods, snowy peaks, desert oases; when it

comes to natural beauty, California is in a class by itself. Yet there’s one thing in the Golden State that has even more star power than California’s spectacular

vistas - the people who call it home. What really sets this place apart from

anywhere else in the world is that legendary, unmistakable and irresistible California attitude - a way of living that

makes you want to squeeze the last drop of fun out of every single

sun-drenched day.

Californians love the outdoors and digging their toes in the sand, whether

it’s on Malibu, along the windswept bluffs of Mendocino, or between the surfers at Huntington Beach. Just 24 miles and a short ferry ride from the L.A. bustle, Santa Catalina Island has

mini-sub tours to see ocean life, elegant dining and lodging, and a historic waterfront ballroom. On the Palm

Springs Aerial Tramway, you can soar from the desert floor to the towering

pines, and glimpse dramatic vistas from the magnificent San Jacinto Range.

22

CALIFORNIA

VEGETARIANSUSHI


890ml Japanese Rice – such as Nishiki Lots of water for cleaning and

rinsing rice890ml Water

118ml Rice Vinegar 4 tbsp Sugar

1tsp Salt 6 Seaweed Paper Sheets

(Nori Sheets)

1 Unripe Avocado - thinly sliced (must be firm not hard)

2 Spring Onions - thinly sliced 1 Carrot - thinly sliced

1 Red Pepper - thinly sliced ½ Cucumber - thinly sliced

Bamboo Sushi Mat Wasabi, Soy Sauce &

Pickled Ginger to serve

M E T H O D (MAKES 6 ROLLS or 60 SLICES)

l Place the rice in a large bowl and cover with lots of water - stir with your hands, pour off most of the waterl Agitate by moving your hands back and forth for 10 to 15 times swishing rice against the sides of the bowll Rinse the rice several more times until drained water is almost clear - put rice in a colander and allow to drain for 1 hourl Transfer to a rice cooker, add all the water, cover and cook for 45 minutesl Boil rice vinegar in a small pan - remove from heat, add sugar and salt, stir until dissolved then cool to room temperaturel When rice is cooked, allow to rest in cooker for 10 mins - transfer in a mound to the middle of a large, shallow bowll Using a diagonal slicing motion, ‘cut’ the rice with a spoon while gently pouring the cooled vinegar mixture over the ricel ‘Cut’ rice several times to evenly incorporate vinegar then cooll When rice is at body temperature it is ready for sushi makingl Place a Nori sheet, rough side up, on top of a bamboo sushi matl Evenly spread the rice over the sushi mat so that it is ½cm thick and 3cms from the top edge of Nori sheetl Spread a thin layer of wasabi the length of the roll then place sliced avocado, red pepper, spring onion, carrot and cucumber in a line across the rolll Gently and tightly roll up the sushi towards the top edge of the Nori sheetl Moisten with water and seall Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm upl Slice sushi roll into 10 even slices and serve with wasabi, soy sauce and pickled ginger

Brought from Japan to Los Angeles in the 1950s, sushi has spread in popularity from the West Coast across the entire United States. Americans have since

created their own variations, including wrapping the sushi inside out and introducing avocadoes and other vegetables into the mix.

FOOD FACT

The Tokyo Kaikan restaurant featured one of the first sushi bars in Los

Angeles. Ichiro Mashita, a sushi chef at the Kaikan, began substituting avocado for toro (fatty tuna), and

after further experimentation, the ‘California roll’ was born.

FLORIDA

ISLAMORADAFLORIDA

KEYS

24

DISCOVER FLORIDA

Florida is flip-flops at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Florida is Disney, SeaWorld, and Universal. Florida is swaying palms

and creeping jasmine, live oak and bamboo. Florida is ‘gators’, panthers and gentle manatees. Florida is the

fishing capital of the world and a diver’s delight. Florida is Mercury, Gemini and Apollo, and the first space explorers.

Florida is fresh oranges and grapefruit outside your door. Florida is baseball, motor racing and golf. Florida is Art Basel and art deco. Florida is sunrise

on the Atlantic and sunset on the Gulf of Mexico.

Whether you want to ride a horse on Cape San Blas or sample a cultural

buffet on South Beach, Florida’s 825 miles of beaches are ranked among the best in the country for beauty,

accessibility and facilities. In Miami’s South Beach, you can sip a martini

under the stars while rubbing elbows with the stars. Florida’s ocean water trickles inland, forming estuaries and

coastal hammocks that beckon birders, kayakers and hikers.

FLORIDA

MINI KEY LIME

PIE

26


Filling 397g Condensed Milk

1tbsp Lime Zest110ml Lime Juice

¼ tsp Salt 2 Egg Yolks

Prepared Sweet Pastry Cases 4cm diameter

Meringue Topping 2 Egg Whites

120g Caster Sugar 30ml Water


Filling l Pre-heat the oven to 1650Cl Place egg yolks in a bowl and whisk for 1 minutel Add the condensed milk and whisk for a further 3 minutesl Add the lime zest, the lime juice and salt and whisk for a further 3 minutesl Pour into pastry cases and place in oven for 5 minutesl Cool then chill

Meringue Toppingl In a small pan combine caster sugar and water and heat to 1180C (soft ball stage)l Whisk the egg whites in a bowl until foamy l Pour the sugar mixture onto the egg whitesl Whisk until stiff and glossyl Place meringue mix into a piping bag with a star nozzlel Pipe meringue onto mini tartsl Put in a hot oven until lightly golden brown in colour – approx. 1 minutel Cool on a wire tray decorate with grated lime zest and serve garnished as required.

Key Lime Pie, with its non-perishable ingredients, first became a favourite of Florida fisherman out at sea for extended periods of time. The Florida key limes are smaller, more sour, and more aromatic than their more commonly found Persian lime cousins and are preferred for this recipe. If key limes are not available, other types of limes

can be used. Key Lime Pie is often a wonderful conclusion to any Caribbean or Southern style meal.

FOOD FACT

In 2006, both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate passed legislation effecting

Key Lime Pie as the ‘Official Pie of the State of Florida’.

MAINE

PORTLANDHEADLIGHT

28

DISCOVER MAINE

Maine is famous for its beautiful rocky coast that extends into the Atlantic

Ocean. Visit small fishing villages that dot the coast or head out on a cruise to

see whales, seals, puffins and Maine’s traditional lighthouses. Explore Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, the perfect place to hike or bike (don’t

miss the observation deck at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge). Tour New England’s largest botanical garden in Boothbay, or indulge in some retail therapy in the shops at the historic

seaport of Portland.

Maine is synonymous with delicious lobster, which appears on restaurant menus everywhere across the state,

from white-tablecloth establishments to open-air seafood shacks up and

down the coast. Classic Maine lobster is served steamed in the shell with

lots of clarified butter for dipping the sweet, succulent meat. But there are as many variations as there are fish in

Maine’s coastal waters. You might find lobster bisque, lobster stew, lobster pot pie, lobster scrambled with eggs

at breakfast, lobster served with pasta or lobster chopped into a salad and sandwiched between a hot-dog bun (‘lobster roll’). For a close-up look at

the lobstering life, take one of the many lobster-boat tours available all along

the Maine coast, including Lucky Catch Cruises in Portland.

30

MAINE

CHOCOLATEBROWNIES


225g Unsweetened Dark Chocolate225g Unsalted Butter

5 Eggs 1tbsp Vanilla Extract

¼ tsp Almond Extract ¼ tsp Salt

800g Granulated Sugar235g Plain Flour

Pecans, pistachios or other nuts to decorate

Icing Sugar to dust


l Preheat oven to 1650Cl Line a 9”x13”x2” baking tin with foil and silicone paperl Place chocolate and butter in a heat resistant glass bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water – water should not touch the base of the bowl or the chocolate/butter mix will overcook l In another bowl beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and salt for about 10 minutesl Gently fold in the flour until well mixedl Pour into the prepared baking tin and smooth the topl Cook for approx. 25 minutes at which stage the ‘cake’ will have a thick crisp top – insert a toothpick and it will come out moistl Let stand at room temperature until cooll Cover with kitchen foil and let stand overnight at room temperaturel Cut and serve – you may need to wipe the knife blade after each cut as the brownies will be moistl Garnish with nut halves and dust with icing sugar

Chocolate brownies are as ubiquitous a dessert on American menus as red double decker buses in London’s transport system. Rumours abound over the origin of

this American favourite, but the most common story is that of the Bangor Brownie. Back in 1907, a housewife in Bangor, Maine mistakenly forgot to include baking

soda in her chocolate cake, thereby creating the first American chocolate brownie. Whatever the story, these convenient treats are great drizzled with syrup,

served hot with ice cream, or dunked in milk.

FOOD FACT

A ‘blondie’ resembles the traditional chocolate brownie, but is based

on brown sugar instead of cocoa; they are sometimes referred

to as ‘blonde brownies’.

GEORGIA

ATLANTAPIEDMONT

PARK

32

DISCOVER GEORGIA

From its energetic and lively cities to the relaxing coastline and breathtaking

mountain scenery, Georgia boasts rich and unique experiences that are

unparalleled—especially its world-class Southern hospitality. The wide

diversity of holiday destinations, from the mountains to the coast, from its

southern rivers to historic heartland to metro Atlanta, guarantees every visitor

an unforgettable experience.

Georgia’s coastline stretches approximately 100 miles between the

Savannah and St. Marys Rivers. Wander along isolated beaches, tranquil marshes and cobblestone streets. Put your toes in the sand on St. Simons Island, Jekyll

Island, Cumberland Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island and more.

More than 700 feature films have been shot in this photogenic state, including Deliverance, Driving Miss Daisy, Glory, Midnight in the Garden of Good and

Evil, My Cousin Vinny, and Fried Green Tomatoes. Stop into the Whistle Stop Café in Juliette and sample the fried

green tomatoes for yourself.

34

GEORGIA

MINIPECAN

PIES


110g Granulated Sugar 3 Eggs – well beaten 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Pinch of Salt110g Golden Syrup110g Maple Syrup

50g Melted Unsalted Butter 80 Pecan Halves to decorate

40 Prepared Sweet Pastry Cases 4cm diameter


l Preheat oven to 1650Cl Place the butter, golden syrup, maple syrup, salt, vanilla extract and sugar into a bowl and stir well with a spoonl Add the beaten eggs to the mixture and stir welll Place a pecan half into pastry case – flat side upl Pour mixture into the pastry cases to three quarters fulll Place a pecan half on topl Cook for 10 minsl Once cooked leave to cool on a wire rack

Pecan trees are a common sight throughout the Southern United States, and their nuts form the basis for this sweet and crunchy dessert pie. For an added luxury,

top your pecan pies with unsweetened whipped cream or crème fraîche, and serve them with a strong cup of coffee or tea.

FOOD FACT

A pecan, like the fruit of all other members of the hickory genus,

is not truly a nut, but is technically a drupe, a fruit with a single stone

or pit, surrounded by a husk.

MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTONCHARLES

RIVER

36

DISCOVER MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts may be steeped in history from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, but it also prides itself on innovation, with some of the country’s top universities including Harvard, MIT and Tufts. Because it’s a relatively small

state, visitors can take in the sunrise on Cape Cod and the sunset over the Berkshire Mountains all on the same

day. Enjoy the state’s bountiful seafood, especially the tender Ipswich Bay clams that will melt in your mouth. Throw in some fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce

and you’ve got the quintessential Massachusetts summer meal.

Cape Cod National Seashore is a 40-mile stretch of rolling dunes and gorgeous beaches that unfurls along the Outer Cape, from Chatham north to Provincetown. Alternatively, head to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket

- two islands packed with charm. Christened in 1602 by British explorer Bartholomew Gosnold in honour of

his daughter, Martha’s Vineyard is no longer covered in wild grapes. Today, it’s an island of beautiful beaches, woods, farmland, cranberry bogs, charming inns and tourists, distinguished from

neighbouring Nantucket by its proximity to the mainland.

38

MASSACHUSETTS

CHOCOLATECHIP

COOKIES


75g Light Brown Sugar115g Unsalted Butter

at room temperature

80g Caster Sugar 1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla Extract190g Plain Flour

½ tsp Salt ½ tsp Baking Soda

340g Chocolate Chips/Morselsdark, light or white


l Preheat oven to 1650Cl Line shallow baking trays with greaseproof paperl Using an electric mixer, cream the brown sugar, butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy – approx. 5 minutesl Add the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporatedl In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt and baking sodal Add to the butter mixture and slowly mix until all is well incorporatedl Add and mix in the chocolate chips/ morselsl Scoop out walnut size pieces of ‘dough’ and place on baking trays and flatten slightly with a forkl Bake in pre-heated oven for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brownl Remove from oven and cool on the baking traysl Remove cookies with a spatula

In 1930, a shaking industrial mixer in the Toll House Kitchen in Whitman, Massachusetts, accidentally knocked bits of chocolate from an overhanging shelf into the cookie batter. Instead of discarding what appeared to be fouled dough,

it was baked, and the world of cookies was forever changed. Chocolate chip cookies are an American iconic treat, enjoyed by children of all ages! Dunk them in a glass

of milk, or enjoy them right out of the oven while the chocolate’s still melted.

FOOD FACT

On July 9, 1997, Massachusetts designated the chocolate chip cookie

as the Official State Cookie, after it was proposed by a third-grade class

from Somerset, Massachusetts.

LOUISIANA

NEW ORLEANS

40

DISCOVER LOUISIANA

Louisiana is a place where you can pick your passion; a state with so

much diversity that just a short drive takes you to another world within the state’s borders. No place in the USA is better known for its music and food.

Louisiana is the birthplace of jazz, the home of Cajun and zydeco music and a stage for the evolution of American

blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll. The rich musical heritage is the ideal background

track for enjoying the state’s unique dishes. Even their names – filé gumbo, jambalaya, étoufée – stir one’s curiosity

alongside one’s palate.

For the culinary connoisseur, the food here is legendary no matter which part of the state you visit. Louisiana cuisine comprises Cajun and Creole delicacies

and the best in seafood, such as shrimp, oysters, crawfish, crab, fish and even

alligator, along with a unique Louisiana spin on more traditional fare.

Music and food are also the centerpiece for many a festival in the state. Try The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

or Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, the Red River Revel in

Shreveport or Contraband Days in Lake Charles – there’s always a reason to

dance and eat in Louisiana.

42

LOUISIANA

CHEESEBISCUITSWITH POPPY

SEEDS


300g Grated Cheese (Hard Cheddar or Parmesan)

250g Unsalted Buttercold and diced

450g All-purpose Flour 1 tsp Salt

¾ tsp Cayenne Pepper150g Blue Poppy Seeds


l Pre-heat the oven to 1800Cl Blend together grated cheese, flour, salt and cayenne pepperl Add cold, diced butter and blend until the dough comes togetherl Split into four equal ‘lumps’l Roll each ‘lump’ into a sausage shapel Roll in the poppy seeds to coat evenlyl Chill in the fridge for one hourl Slice into 5mm thick rounds and place on kitchen parchmentl Bake in the pre-heated oven for 12 minutes until golden brownl Place on a wire rack to cool

These savoury cheese biscuits are served alongside glasses of sweetened iced tea or cocktails in homes throughout the Southern States. Cooked cheese

biscuits may be kept frozen in a container for as long as 3 months. Simply thaw before serving.

FOOD FACT

Poppy seeds have long been used as a folk remedy to aid sleeping, promote fertility and wealth, and even to provide supposed magical powers of invisibility!

NOTES NOTES

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Dive into the amazing flavours of Portland, Maine.

Discover this land, like never before.

tastes - usembassy.gov · 2017-08-14 · whatever your tastes, there’s no shortage of ways to...

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