A Taste of American Food

Served up for you by Brea BarthelRPI Advising & Learning Assistance Center

Rev 10/2012

What is “American” food?

That’s hard to answer!

America is a nation of immigrants

Many different cooking styles

Regional specialties

Eating habits change through time (low-carbohydrate; vegetarian; etc.)

So what is “American” food?

Dinners for white, working-class, traditional Euro-American families often include:

Meat (usually in large pieces)

Potatoes

A vegetable (perhaps canned)

A salad of lettuce & tomato

Dessert (ice cream, pie, cookies)

A “meat and potatoes” menu

Meal Protein Potatoes Other

Breakfast

eggs“hash browns”

or “home fries”

Toast, juice, coffee, sausage or

ham

Lunch Meat sandwich

French fries or chips Soda, dessert

Dinner(or “supper”)

Chicken breast, pork

chop, hamburger,

or steak

Mashed, scalloped,

potato salad, or French fries

Salad, vegetables (canned or frozen

corn, peas, carrots, or green

beans)Coffee or tea

dessert

Potatoes?! French fries

Potato chips

Mashed

Home fries

Hash browns

Scalloped

Baked

And more!

photo: http://waynesword.palomar.edu/vege1.htm

Potatoes!!

Americans 2-19 years old: 40% of calories from fat and added sugar.

French fries would be the most common vegetable eaten…

But are potatoes a vegetable?

Yes, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

The US Dept of Agriculture proclaimed french fries a vegetable in 2004!Sources: Jan 04 Journal of the American Dietetic Association (15-24 month-olds); USA Today 6/15/04 (USDA); http://vitamindiscount.com/newsroom/pressreleases/pr20030102.cfm (2-19)

Childhood obesity: according to AHA

1/3 of children are overweight or obese

3x more than in 1963

Medical impact: high BP high cholesterol Type II diabetes

Artwork: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joe_13/188297063/

Source: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/WeightManagement/Obesity/Childhood-Obesity_UCM_304347_Article.jsp

Some responses to “obesity epidemic”

Emphasis on nutritional education In NYC, as of 9/2012:

sales of drinks larger than 16 oz. are banned in restaurants, food service, other eating sources

Revision of federal school lunch program guidelines

Limitations on sales of sweets in schools

Backlash to all the rules!

Related issues/responses

“Food deserts” “Food insecurity” Community Gardens Buy-local movement

Americans often eat “on the run”Average per year for Americans In 2005 In 1985

Meals eaten in the car 32 19

Restaurant meals taken home

57 33

Meals eaten in a restaurant 80 93

Restaurant meals ordered from car

22% 14%

Restaurant meals per year(calculated from above)

169(3.3/wk)

145(2.8/wk)

Source: Marketing study cited in CNN, 10/4/05 (http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/04/news/funny/takeout/)

Some words related to eating habits

Omnivore Herbivore /

Vegetarian Ovo/lacto vegetarian Vegan (strict

vegetarian) “Flexitarian” (new) “Localvore” (new) Lactose-free or

“dairy-impaired” Allergy / sensitivity

Eats “all” (meat, plants, nuts) Does not eat any meat or fish No meat, but egg & milk okay No animal products at all

(meat, milk, eggs, honey) Occasionally eats fish/meat Prefers food grown nearby Unable to eat milk and milk

products Physical response to a food

Where do Americans eat meals?

From cheapest to most expensive: Cooking at home Take-out: picking food up at a restaurant Ordering in: having food delivered Fast food: eaten in the car or in the “fast-food

joint” Diner: very informal, with counters & tables Family restaurant: Sit-down informal, chain or

independent. “Upscale restaurant”: expensive, fancy; often

rated by “stars” (using a 4-star or 5-star rating)

Other meal-related terms Banquet: fanciest type of sit-down meal Sit-down meal: Food is served ahead of time

on the plate, and delivered to your table Buffet: Food is in bowls on a side table, and

you help yourself Family Style: Food is in bowls that you “pass

around,” usually clockwise Picnic: Outdoor informal meal, often with hot

dogs or hamburgers “Pot Luck”: a buffet meal or party where the

guests each bring a “dish” to share Brunch: late breakfast/early lunch

So how do you order in an American restaurant?

That depends on the type of restaurant

Let’s assume you are going out to a nice sit-down restaurant

Your dinner may have a few “courses”

Here are some things to consider…

“Courses” of a dinner Appetizer: small “nibbles” to eat

while you wait for the main meal

Soup

Salad, often with a “dressing”

“Entrée” (main dish, usually meat or fish)

“Side dishes” (potatoes, vegetables)

Dessert

Some cost considerations Entrée price may include salad &/or

“sides”

If “a la carte,” each item is an additional cost

“Prix Fixe” means one price for everything (usually only upscale places)

Drinks, especially alcoholic ones, are usually “extra”

Lots of choices! Soup? Cup or bowl?

Entrée? How prepared? (rare, medium, or well-done; baked or broiled)

Salad? Which “salad dressing”? (French, Italian, Russian, Blue Cheese, Honey Mustard, or others)

Potatoes? What kind? (French fries, baked, mashed)

Baked potato? With or without “sour cream”?

Coffee? Regular or decaf? Black, cream, or sugar?

Pie? Plain or “a la mode” (with ice cream)?

Examples

In a fancy restaurant:

“I’d like the London Broil [a cut of beef]with a baked potato, no sour creamand Italian dressing for the salad.”

Or, the more likely meal out:

“Give me a Whopper with medium fries & a Coke.”

Tipping in a restaurant Most servers (waiters/waitresses) get most of their

income from tips. The tip is usually left on the table, but may be given

to server or left at “register” The usual tip is 15% of the entire bill, rounded up.

BUT Tip on the tax portion? Some people do, some

don’t. Leave a higher % for great service or extra help. At serve-yourself “buffets” with less service, 10% is

okay. No tipping is done in fast food restaurants. Some restaurants include “gratuity” (tip) in the

price, especially for large groups. Don’t pay twice!

Dining “etiquette” (expected behavior) Place your napkin on your lap before you start

to eat; put it on the table when you’re done.

Keep your mouth closed when you chew

Swallow before you speak

Usually keep your fork in the left hand to cut, but the right hand to eat

The knife usually rests across the top of your plate after the first time you use it.

Always say thank you to your host

Always tip your waiter after a sit-down meal

Some common phrases “Bon appetit” = French for “good appetite”)

“A toast” = a few words to thank the host, honor the occasion, or celebrate the “guest of honor.” Everyone holds a glass up during the toast, and drinks at the end.

“Grace” = A prayer of thanks before (and sometimes after) a meal.

“Set the table” = put out the glasses, plates, silverware, etc.

“Clear the table” = remove all the food, dishes, etc. after a meal.

Now you try “setting the table”! Dinner plate Salad plate Soup bowl Salad fork Dinner fork Knife Soup spoon Teaspoon Cup & saucer* *[glass goes where cup is; cup should be bottom

right] [Napkin goes to left of, or beneath, the forks]