United States - Delicious Cuisine

by Abigail Enzana Nava 

The food in United States is as diverse as the geography and the people that live there. There are some dishes which have their origin from other countries; this is because this country was created by immigrant people who came from Europe, Asia and Africa, among others.

That is the reason why this country has a great diversity of food and is really important to know more about it, especially if you like to give your palate eating good tasting things. To eat in United States you have to know the time to do this because the American people have different times to eat than Mexico has. Dinner is considered the main meal of the day, usually served after 5:00 p.m. but before 10:30. Breakfast and lunch are usually light; they consist in cereal, eggs, toast, pancakes, coffee, and/or fruit juice. Lunch is usually served around noon, and an American lunch menu almost always includes sandwiches, soups, French fries and more. Full desserts are typically only served after dinner, and these are elaborate for special occasions.

I should say that this kind of food is amazing; that is why almost twice a week I opt for eat out and get in a place where I can find all of food above. I enjoy having breakfast at the same way than in U.S.A; including all the food mentioned. Also lunch and dinner, perhaps not at the same time but I can not stop eating delicious meals.

Is common that people cook turkey as a main ingredient especially in holidays but also they use ingredients like potatoes, corn, lima beans, cucumbers and pepper. The people from other countries love the fast food, which stands out routine or costume if you prefer, in the cuisine of the United States.

Who doesn´t like to eat delicious as fast as be possible?  The answer is nobody. When this happen I say: thanks for the fast food. And now the famous hamburgers, my favorites, or hot dogs that in Mexican people know, or maybe the fried chicken, French fries, chocolate chip cookies, macaroni and cheese, pancake, popcorns, pizza among others.

They are really delicious food and you can get it at local restaurants and take away if you want. As we can see the cooking in other countries could be very good. For me is a pleasure tasting food like this and share the Mexican with American food.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_United_States#Cuisine

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-c13119/United-States:Food.And.Drink.html

American Cuisine

by Jessica Sánchez Munguía

American cuisine has a variety of ingredients taken from different nations as: Asia, Africa, Europe, and other. The first book published about food was American cookery; this book has different food from different places. For example, in South America has been influenced by immigrants from Africa, France and Mexico.

Examples of Germany influences are: Hot Dogs and Hamburgers these being a principal American food.

Given the huge size of the territory of the United States it surprising that the cuisine is diverse and can be typified by regional variations. The kitchen of the East Coast, for example, uses as ingredients as fish and shellfish more than the kitchens in the Midwest, where corn and beef have a higher prevalence and more of it is available.

The apple pie is one of the most representative 

icons of American cuisine

Some degree the increase in capacity transport in food has benefited the mixture of different tastes across regions, though, the Americans still associate certain foods with certain areas of the country, so, the steaks are related to Omaha; American lobster with Maine, salmon with Pacific Northwest coast, and the blue crab and crabcake with Maryland.

American cuisine has been able, however, beyond the borders, some examples such as the Tex-Mex, barbecue restaurants and others can be found in many parts of the world, being most popular fast food restaurants, burgers bars and pizzerias.

The popular burger is a clear example of food identified 

with the United States that has an origin in European cuisine.

 Some of the most representative dishes are:

The apple pie: is a fruit cake made ​​of dough covered with apple. There are many variations and can be chopped apple or applesauce. The apples can be placed directly top of the dough or a cream base. One of the most popular fruit tarts and international.

Brownie: also known as chocolate brownie, is a small chocolate cake, like a cookie, typical American cuisine. It is named for its dark brown, or "brown" in English. It is sometimes covered with fudge (chocolate syrup thick) and can lead into pieces of nuts, chocolate, butterscotch (a kind of crunchy toffee), peanut butter.

Cream cheese: is a cheese spread which is obtained by curdling milk enzymes using a mixture of milk and cream. This type of cheese is normally consumed with bread, being common to use the same toast. 

Some typical food in the U.S.A

by Valeria Clemente Lorenzo

The gastronomy in the United States is very interesting because it is practical and easy to do. Besides   all the people, including the children are accustomed to eating this food. In this moment I am only going to talk about two of these famous   foods like: hot dog and French fries.

Hot dog                

The hot dog   is from the U.S.A. Also this food is distributed in all the world. In the United States the “hot dog” refers to just to the sausage. Usually it is   consumed in summer. This can be of wiener kind; the snack is fried or boiled. The ingredients to prepare a hot dog are:

The bread: Is the most important ingredient to support the sausage, the bread can be big or small.

Sausage: Is the meat that usually the people put in the middle of the bread.

Vegetables: The vegetables are very essentials to the hot dog to give presentation at the food; this vegetables are tomatoes, onions, chilies peepers.

Condiments: The condiments that we can put on the hot dog are ketchup and mustard.

French Fries

The French fries are from U.S.A. this is a very famous snack in United States and in Mexico, for that reason I am going to talk about it.

The French fries are potatoes that are prepared cutting in slices in large form frying in oil, until this are totally roasted, and after, put on the potatoes some salt. Then we can take up the potatoes from the oil. This can consume with seasoning, ketchup and mayonnaise.

I am wrote about this topic because for me is very important know about the culture of   some countries, to make a difference with the Mexican culture.

England Christmas

by Taide Citlalli García Garduño

The Christmas in England is one of the most important celebrations in the year. I researched that the first Christmas postcard was sending in 1840 and since 1840 every Christmas all the people send another people or their families a postcard. These postcards are making only for Christmas because theirs decoration is in order to celebrate the Christmas.   

The Christmas tree was very popular because the Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, inserted one into of the castle in 1840. Since 1840 Norway every Christmas presents to UK a big Christmas tree.

Also is very popular that the children present to their families or other people Christmas tales and sing Christmas carol. The Christmas carols also are singing for special groups in days before of the Christmas to the whole neighbours.

The children have a special tradition because they hang a big red sock on the fireplace, in order to Santa Clause fills with gifts and candies.

In the Christmas day many families give to their families gifts, and the families goes to church and pray.

In the Christmas dinner, the people frequently eat roast turkey, duck, or chicken with dressing and potatoes. In addition, there are pasties of meat and pudding. The pudding has to prepare weeks before of the Christmas dinner. In England there is a Christmas cake, this cake is makes with fruits, marzipan and glass sugar.

Other tradition are Christmas cookies; they were inventing in 1846 by a baker in London, these cookies are seeming to a big, large and bright candy, but into has a gift.

However, the most important tradition for the people in UK is the “Queen`s message” because is transmitting for television and radio. 

Christmas

by Tanhia Karen García Gómez

The Christmas traditions are influences of several parts of the world. A tradition very common in many places is to sing carols in groups walking on the streets from house to house, this event is known as caroling. “Christmas Carols” give an atmosphere of happiness, hope and celebration, in the house or any other place where it is listened to.

During Christmas, it is common that families send “Christmas Cards” to family and friends, even and they haven’t been seen physically in much time. It is part of the sense of Christmas to reach and to unite to the humanity.

Much people wait for every year the snow.  Many activities come with the snow, including go in sleigh, to ski, to do “ snowmen ”, throwing balls of snow to the other people, and, later the activity returning to the house to take hot chocolate and to warm up themselves and to dry themselves in front of the fire.

Also are very common cooking cakes in family. Most popular they are the sugar cakes. The process is simple, but to be in company of the family is what it makes special, from beating the mass, decorating each cake and finally to cook it.

An element characteristic of Christmas is the decoration of the house. It is very common, that the garden is decorated with lights. The most symbolic element of decoration is the tree or Christmas pine. In the United States, it is very common that the Christmas pine is natural. . One of the most special moments is the process to install the Christmas pine, is the adjustment or decoration of the same, also, the more exciting thing is that it is realized in family.

Santa Claus is the main image of Christmas in the United States. Santa Claus, or San Nicholas, with her particular red shelter arrives at all the houses through the chimneys.

References

http://www.mty.itesm.mx/

http://www.turismoeeuu.com/gente-y-costumbres/

Davis, Fred (1992). Fashion, Culture, and Identity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, p. 69.

Thanksgiving Day

By Laura Estrada

This day is traditional in the United States of America; it usually is celebrating the fourth Thursday of November although it used to be the last Thursday of November.

This day is celebrated in appreciation for good harvest. The first time of this celebration was in Florida. The first national day of thanksgiving was celebrated by the president Lincoln in 1863 and he proclaim that is going to be held every year from then on.

American people organize a dinner this day with their family. In some homes is common offer a prayer before to eat. Often people cook a big roast or baked turkey. Traditionally this turkey is accompanied with a filling made with corn bread and sage.

Usually the turkey is serving with cranberry sauce red, some vegetables, and sweet potatoes, some desserts like a pumpkin, nut or apple pie.

This day is famous because is a holiday in the Unites States celebrated by all American families so is a good day to go out shopping and buy the ingredients to the turkey. Supermarkets and malls are full and are good business for the traders. The most business and offices are closed this day, but some stores, shopping centers, restaurants and pubs remain open

Thanksgiving Day is considered by many people as the favorite holiday in USA because the family are bring together around the table for dinner.

After sharing dinner people preferred diversions like watching football games and for others like take a nap or simplify spend time with their family.

 RESOURCES

Thanksgiving Day (en inglés). Encyclopedia Britannica. Consultado el 27-11-2009.

Morill, Ann "Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals" Infobase Publishing, ISBN 1-60413-096-2 p.28

Una historia del día de acción de gracias “thanksgiving day” By Jhon Manuel Cáceres in 2008.

E JOURNAL USA. Sociedad y valores estadounidenses. Julio 2004.  “Celebra el día de acción de gracias” por Neil Klopfenstein

Thanksgiving Day

by Juan Manuel Hernández Vences

Thanksgiving Day is a celebration that most people of United States and Canada celebrate during the holidays. This celebration is each year, the exactly date is on the second Monday of October in Canada, and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. This celebration is a long tradition that people doing with their families. Most people say that when this celebration ends at the next day all things are very cheap in the malls, and the people start to shop for Christmas.

According to this story the principal reason to realize this action is to remember when the Indians helped immigrants who left England, and came to American soil and had a very difficult time. They had nothing to eat and the Indians helped them to not starve.

Actually the American families celebrate this day making family reunions, inviting all the friends and people that don´t have family. Together give thanks to god for all good days and the health all the year, also the people go at the store and buy a lot of things that they need to celebrate this action with the family and friends. The traditional menu is roast turkey, mashed potatoes, caramelized sweet potatoes, green beans and carrots glazed; the typical dessert is pumpkin pie or pecan nuts.

Many people think that this day of Thanksgiving is a wonderful celebration, which gives them a long weekend and enjoy a delicious dinner. Others may think that just the day of Thanksgiving is the beginning of Christmas celebrations. You can go United States of America and celebrate this day if have family there or if don’t have family is not important because you can celebrate this day in a restaurant or wherever you want. The important reason is to give thanks.

References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving 

Baker, James W. (2009). Thanksgiving: the biography of an American holiday. UPNE. pp. 273.

Halloween

By Guadalupe Miranda

Halloween is a festival celebrated in some countries as: United States, Canada, Ireland, etc., on the night of October 31. Its origin is the Celtic Festival and the Christian holiday of All Saints Day

In 1840 this festival comes to America. Irish immigrants passed versions of the tradition during the Great Irish Famine and they were who spread the custom to carve the "Jack-o'-lantern" (hollow giant pumpkin with a candle inside), inspired by the legend of "Stingy Jack."

photo by Shannon Buckley-Shaklee

However, the party did not start mass held until 1921. That year was the first Halloween parade in Minnesota and other states then followed. The party gradually acquired popularity in the coming decades and the internationalization of Halloween took place in the late 70's and early 80's thanks to movies and television series.

This day is often associated with the colors orange, black and purple. The typical activities include the famous Halloween trick and costume parties, besides bonfires, visiting haunted houses, jokes, reading scary stories and watching horror movies.

photo by Shannon Buckley-Shaklee

But the most important legend says: the door between the living world of the beyond opened and the spirits of the dead were a procession in the villages where they lived. On this night the spirits visited the houses of their relatives, and they had to put a candle in the window of the house for each deceased in the family. If there was a candle in memory of each deceased, spirits did not disturb the family, if not, the spirits disturbed at night and they could have terrible nightmares.

Now, Halloween is one of the most important dates in United States. Some Latin American countries have their own traditions and celebrations for this day, but they agree in its meaning: the union or extreme closeness of the living world and the kingdom of the dead.

U.S.A INDEPENDENCE DAY

by Mónica (Moni) Gabriella Ortega Macedo

The U.S.A was formed by people who came from different countries, for example: The Netherlands,Sweden, Germany, France, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, but the main country was England. They came because they wanted freedom; others left their country to escape the war.

The thirteen colonies developed on British traditions, but suddenly they realized that English people devalued the power of the king, and the Americans started to do the same. Americans claimed their rights. That was how the idea of independence started.

After Britain won a costly war with France, the thirteen colonies were asked to:

• ·       Provide food and lodging to the royal solders.
• ·       Americans weren’t allowed to have lands.
• ·       Pay the debt of the war.

After those acts the thirteen colonies were encouraged by the discourse of Samuel Adams and later by Geroge Washinton, to fought for the country’s independence.

After a time of fighting the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1776. U.S.A become a free nation with universal rights.

That was a little bit of the history of U.S.A independence. But how do the Americans celebrate this day?

The celebration starts one night before the fourth of July with bonfires and fireworks.

During the day, families get together to make a picnic with typical American food. The most common colors, blue, white and red. are used in clothes, balloons, and streamers.

Patriotic songs are listened as the national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner", "God Bless America", "America the Beautiful", "My Country, 'Thais of Thee", "This Land Is Your Land", "Stars and Stripes Forever", all this songs remain the independence war.

Another important event, which takes place on Washington D.C at the middle of the day, is the traditional parade. It is full of balloons and streamers with the traditional colors. In the parade, perform famous bands from all around the country, this bands consists on musical instruments as drums and fifes. It is a wonderful and colorful show.

Another event that caught the eye of the spectators, are the giant balloons of Samuel Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, which parade along the streets of the city.

I think the celebration of the fourth of July is very important for the American culture, because is the birthday of a free nation, and represents the effort of the people who fought to obtain the independence.

http://www.july4thparade.com/facts_history.html

http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/bbf/biblioteca.htm

The Tea in England

By Viridiana Juárez Marín

In England, the tea is one of the most famous drinks; It is strange, because this kind of plant does not grow in this site. However people say that in 1658 a person from London, called Thomas Garraway, posted in a newspaper all the benefits that this drink had and the importance that the tea had for Chinese people. In 1662 King Carlos II married Cataline who was a Portuguese princess; She really liked to drink tea, so people consider her to be the person who introduce the tea in the British court.

Around of the 18^th century the popularity about the tea was more famous than other kind of drink, the consumption was so big. There were about 6.379 tonnes of tea, in that time the tea was drinking in different times during the day, however in most cases the tea was drinking at night instead of the afternoon like now English people do. The “AFTERNOON TEA” is executed and attributed for first time by duchess Bedford because people say that when she was ill, one day in the afternoon, she ask her servants for some tea and snacks, after she ate and drank the tea, she felt better, that was the reason she decided to do the same thing but inviting some of her friendships to taste the tea together. So to consume those things in the afternoon got a high popularity for all the people.

In the society of English people, there were different ways and habits to eat lunch, for the high class the lunch is taking at midday and the dinner at 8:00 p.m. while the lower class take their lunch at 11:00 a.m. and the dinner at 7:00 p.m.

If we returned into the history we could find that the tea has taken an important place in some nations. I mean the tea was one of the movements in the British colony of Massachusetts, against the British government, where people from Massachusetts got their freedom through the movement called “BOSTON TEA PARTY”, American people knew the importance about this drink, thus to demonstrate their unconformity respect to the high taxes, they decided to wore like Indians and board the ships which have all the boxes with tea, then they throw the big boxes full of tea in the Boston Harbor.

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Nowdays “the afternoon tea” is a custom for English people, where they enjoy drinking tea and eating some snacks between 2pm and 5pm. This space is destined to relax staying this time with their friendships because they can talk, share, and enjoy each other.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Zuñiga Sergio, THIS IS U.S. Edit. Cobrica, pp.21-23

http://www.cocinavino.com/ensusalsa/reportajes/te.html.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_(meal)#Afternoon_tea

http://www.cocinavino.com/ensusalsa/reportajes/te.html.html

http://te.innatia.com/c-historia-te/a-cultura-te-reino-unido.html

http://www.southfloridafoodandwine.com/2012/03/afternoon-tea-at-the-chesterfield-palm-beach.html

England TEA TIME

By Jazmín Montoya Salazar

 

One of the most typical and popular traditions in England, is the so-called "tea time". It is a tradition and a ritual. The currently known as "Tea for 5" or "Afternoon tea" did not begin to be as such until the early nineteenth century.

The story goes that one afternoon in 1830, Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, asked them to bring her some tea room and a light snack. At that time in England the food was usually served very early and not take anything again until dinner at 8 or 9 at night. The Duchess liked it, so much this time of ingestion of the drink she decided to repeat it every evening. Anna was inviting their friends to take tea with her.

Over the years this innocent occasional snack became a tradition, practiced by the aristocracy and upper classes, which gave sumptuous and elegant "tea parties", usually between 3 and 5 pm, following the beverage with a light to itching, some pasta and sandwiches. No however today there are a variety of pastas fresh ,and salt which is usually associated with a typical English tea. No doubt, a tradition Made in England.

 

High Tea is often a misconception. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or "meat tea" is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side. American hotels and tea rooms, continue to misunderstand and offer tidbits of fancy pastries and cakes on delicate china when they offer a "high tea."

 

Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room. There are three basic types of Afternoon, or Low Tea:

Cream Tea - Tea,scones, jam and cream.

Light Tea - Tea, scones and sweets.

Full Tea - Tea, savories, scones, sweets and dessert.

In England, the traditional time for tea was four or five o'clock and no one stayed after seven o'clock. Most tea rooms today serve tea from three to five o'clock. The menu has, also changed from tea, bread, butter and cakes, to include three particular courses served specifically in this order:

Savories - Tiny sandwiches or appetizers.

Scones - Served with jam and Devonshire or clotted cream.

Pastries - Cakes, cookies, shortbread and sweets.

St Patrick´s Day: Green Everywhere

By Alejandra Fabela Martinez

Ireland is an island located in Europe. More than the ninety percent of the Irish are Catholic. The influence of the religion in topics like divorce, abortion, the control of birthrate and social topics is very important. The duration of this festival is five days.

The music and the dances are an important tradition of this country. Also there is a very important day “St Patrick´s day”. It´s a festival celebrated on March 17^th. Since 1903, this day was made a public and official day in Ireland; Nowadays St Patrick is the most famous saint in the entire world. For this day people have to wear green cloths and is very common to eat dishes with cabbage and Irish beverages.

St Patrick was a missioner and a preacher; he is considered the introductory of the religion to the island.

There are four principal components of this festival, the Leprechaun, the beer, the clover and St Patrick. Leprechaun is the goblin and is a typical character of the Irish mythology.

On March 17^th, people don´t eat meat, but the traditional dish is the corn beef, that is raw meat. Also the beer is the most popular beverage.

Bands of bagpipes are the most popular for the festival, Celt music is the official hymn of this party. Instruments like violin, Irish bagpipes, flutes tin whistle and the “bodhran” or drum. The traditional dance to accompanist the music is the Irish “step dance”; a unique dance with difficult leg movements while the body is static.

St Patrick’s Day is one of the most important traditions in Ireland, when Irish celebrated during five days full of green and beer, also the bagpipes and the step dance are protagonist of the party, but the mean reason of this party is to celebrate Saint Patrick and all the Catholics and no Catholics celebrated it.

It is not only for the religion. It is because this tradition with special characteristics of Irish people is a big part of their Culture and that things made Ireland unique, and different to other countries.

Sources:

http://eneuropa.about.com/od/FestivalesyFiestas/a/San-Patricio-En-Irlanda.htm

http://sobrehistoria.com/dia-de-san-patricio-una-historia-de-santos-y-duendes-i/

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%ADa_de_San_Patricio