Great American Eats! 

American Regional Favorite Foods of the United States

Learn the story of what Americans eat and why. Many people thank that American food has become homogenized and nationalized, but the following articles, history, and recipes show that regional cuisine is very much alive.

It has expanded to include new and exciting foods and dishes that we now call our own. Most of us grow up taking local specialties for granted. It is when we move away that we realize our beloved dish is missing and just how much we enjoyed it. Even if we can find it in other others of the country, it never tastes quite as good as when we had it in our hometown. Check out more favorite  American Regional Foods.


North Carolina Pig Pickin' Any month of the year is good for a pig pickin' in North Carolina. The barbecue style will vary according to what area you're in. Unlike other food preparation in the South, which is usually dominated by women, barbecue is a male domain.


Louisiana Crawfish Boil - What looks, tastes, and smells like seafood, but doesn't come from the sea? It's crawfish, a freshwater shellfish that is considered a Louisiana delicacy.


Cajun Fried Turkey - This is the best way of cooking a turkey I've ever tasted. The turkey is anything but greasy as the deep-frying process seals the outside and the turkey remains incredibly juicy, while the skin gets wonderfully crispy.
 

How about an old-fashioned Picnic?

Memorial Day has become synonymous with the beginning of summer by celebrating with barbecues, outdoor cooking, camping, and summer fun. While regional variations are numerous, there are still favorite dishes and foods which immediately come to mind. Planning a cook-out or barbeque is easy, fun, and can be stress-free, if you plan ahead and keep it simple. Check out some of America's favorite summer foods below.

Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers - The elements of the perfect hamburger are a patty of ground beef in a soft round bun, served with ketchup. What people prefer on their hamburger can vary from region to region in the United States.

Hot Dogs - Hot dogs are among America's favorite foods. Every year, Americans consume on average 60 hot dogs! Hot dogs are primarily regarded as a fun, summertime food, and most are eaten between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Fried Chicken - The quintessential southern dish is fried chicken. There are as many recipes for fried chicken as there are southern cooks, with most being passed down through generations.

Favorite Potato Salad - This is my family's favorite potato salad recipe. A family gathering would not be complete without this salad. I've tried many other potato salads, and as far as I am concerned, this is the best!

Pie Recipes - All your favorite pies (apple, blackberry, lemon meringue, and many more pies)
 

Check out all of Lea Schneider's monthly helpful Organize Right Now columns.

Perfectly Planned Picnics
The hard part of all this outdoor dining, besides the no-see-ums, is all that organizing. To make picnicking and outdoor dining easier, I created a checklist which I keep in my picnic basket. I’ve added it here to make your summer more organized.
 

Southwest Cooking - The Heart and Soul of Southwest Cooking by Cynthia Detterick-Pineda. Learn about the history and recipes of southwest cooking. Includes Mexican, New Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Cal-Mex Recipes.

Learn about the history and recipes of southwest cooking. Includes Mexican, New Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Cal-Mex Recipes.
 

The Baking Pan - Check out my sister's, Carol Arroyo, new baking web site.
 

Tea Travels - Check out Ellen Easton's  interesting articles on tea and tea parties. Plus lots more!