food histories
The hot dog consists of a boiled, steamed, or grilled sausage, known as a wiener or frankfurter, tucked into a specially designed bun, usually dressed with condiments or toppings that can vary depending on your country, state, or locale.
Diners can be traced back to Walter Scott, a newspaper pressman at the Providence Journal who, in 1872, left the presses to sell late night coffee and sandwiches from a horse-drawn wagon.
If all of the Cracker Jack sold during that time were laid end-to-end they would circle the earth more than seventy-one times.
The first pumpkin pies were likely made by hollowing out the shell, filling it with milk, honey, and spices, then baking it in hot ashes.
The chimichanga is said to have been created not in Mexico but in Phoenix, Arizona.
Shepherd’s pie came about in the late 1700s as a way for frugal peasant housewives to use their leftover lamb, mutton, and other meats.
The first cheesecakes, known as “plakous,” were simply made using only flour, wheat, honey, and cheese.
Bread pudding can be traced back to the early 11th century as a way for frugal cooks to utilize leftover bread.
Well-decorated gingerbread houses became popular following the 1812 publication of the Brothers Grimm fairytale “Hansel and Gretel.”
One of my all-time favorites is a tuna salad sandwich–canned Albacore tuna packed in water with minced celery and onion, hard-boiled egg, a touch of garlic, and lots of America’s favorite condiment, mayonnaise. And though some of you may dislike, even hate mayo, I’m among the majority who wouldn’t think of having a ham and […]