American cooking recipes are certainly more than hot dogs and

American cooking recipes are certainly more than hot dogs and burgers!

American cooking differs from most other world cuisines in that, just as America is a 'melting pot' of people, so it is with our food. Immigrants to America brought their foods and cooking methods with them. So Americans are lucky to enjoy a variety of cuisines which have been thoroughly integrated into our modern culture.

With few exceptions, American cooking recipes are derived from other cultures. In fact, when you begin to think of dishes we consider to be daily 'American' fare, most are take-offs from other countries dishes. For example, pizza is consumed on a regular basis in almost every American household. While being of Italian origin, the American cooking recipe for pizza is far different than what you'd eat in Italy. The difference? The 'more is better' principle is applied to the American version. I'll readily admit to enjoying the ample American pizza, but there is a certain delicacy of taste to the simpler Italian version that can't be denied.

In America, we also have what's termed 'regional' American cooking recipes. These recipes often reflect a blending of different cuisines, sometimes substituting ingredients which are plentiful in that region. Take Cajun cooking. These American cooking recipes are a combination of Southern ingredients and culinary influences from France, the Caribbean and Africa. Gumbo is a case in point. While probably most like a French bouillabaisse, there are ingredients like okra, used in some versions, originating from African cuisines. Crawfish are a Louisiana delicacy you won't find in the French bouillabaisse. The ever present mussels of the bouillabaisse are not usually included in Cajun Gumbo.

New England clam chowder is a truly American invention, concocted of locally available ingredients. Yankee pot roast is another American cooking recipe that's now a standard menu item in the American household.

Now, how about the American hamburger? Yes, this is also a genuine American cooking recipe. In the early 1900s, some guy had the bright idea of putting a beef patty between two pieces of round bread, a cross between a biscuit and bread, which has named a 'hamburger bun'. Relish, pickles, mustard and mayonnaise and a slice of tomato and a lettuce leaf were what became known as the burger. This new type of sandwich caught on all over America.

The funny thing about this American cooking recipe is that it traveled over to European nations, which picked it up with alacrity, naturally giving it their own spin. The French are particularly fond of the burger. It's served in just about every bistro, French style. The French burger is always cooked quite rare so much so that, in order to get a rare cooked burger by American definitions, you must ask for your burger 'bien cuit', which means well done. The French burger comes with a fried egg ('sunny side up') on top of the burger. No tomato, lettuce etcetera garnishes are to be found. The only place in France where you'll find a real American burger is at a McDonald's!

The majority of American cooking recipes are Americanized versions of dishes from around the world. Hey, this makes me wonder what a Frenchman would think of a real American burger ...