Cuisine of California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See California Cuisine for the style of cuisine identified with some famous Californian chefs.
The Cuisine of California is the local cuisine of California. It blends influences from Mexico, Asia, and the Pacific Islands in addition to that of the United States.
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[edit] Ingredients
Restaurant cuisine may make greater use of ingredients uncommon outside of California. Some locally grown produce that are less common in other parts of the country include:
In the northern coastal regions of the state, Dungeness crabs, salmon, striped bass, and oysters are abundant in season. The Central Valley's agricultural success and diversity provides fresh produce throughout the state.
[edit] Pizza
California Pizza Kitchen (also known as CPK) blends pizza with Asian toppings. Chains like Piatti, Red Brick Pizza, and Tomatina have continued to innovate with the traditional pizza.
The man behind CPK, Ed LaDou, was the first pizza chef at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant Spago. There, he pioneered the unique California pizza style, using ingredients such as smoked salmon and duck sausage. Spago's smoked salmon pizza continues to be popular, topped with creme fraiche, dill, and sometimes caviar.
California is also known for its pizza at "Z" Pizza's, famous for its super thin, low tomato sauce pizzas.
[edit] Sandwiches, Burgers, and fast food
California is home to fast-food chains such as Carl's Jr., Jack in the Box, In-N-Out, Del Taco, Original Tommy's and Fatburger.
Regional fast food menus differ, generally depending on the ethnic composition of an area. In Southern California, smaller chains like Jim's, The Hat, Baker's, Tom's, Tam's, Tommy's, and Rick's feature hamburgers, Mexican food, chili fries, pastrami, and occasionally, teriyaki or fried chicken.
- See also: Philippe's
While gastropubs are not unique to California, the concept of the gourmet burger is very popular, notably at Sang Yoon's restaurant Father's Office in Santa Monica. Even Thomas Keller, a chef with six Michelin stars to his name, is opening Ad Hoc, a gourmet burger restaurant in Yountville.
[edit] Asian influences
As one of the U.S. states nearest Asia, and with a long-standing Asian American population, the state tends to adopt Asian foods. The American sushi craze no doubt began in California; the term 'California roll' is used to describe sushi with avocado as a primary ingredient. These days, items like mochi ice cream and boba are popular.
Because Californians tend to be culturally diverse, more traveled, and have culinary sophistication and openness to new eating experiences, fusion cuisine is accepted and popular in California.[original research?] California Chef Wolfgang Puck is known as one of the pioneers of fusion cuisine, popularizing such dishes as Chinese chicken salad at the restaurant Ma Maison. His restaurant "Chinois" was named after the term attributed to Richard Wing, who in the 1960s combined French and Chinese cooking at the former Imperial Dynasty restaurant in Hanford, California.[1]
[edit] Mexican, Central and South American influences
- See also: San Francisco burrito
In addition to traditional and/or commercialized "Mexican" food, California restaurants serve up Honduran, Oaxacan and nearly every other variation of South American food there is. For example, Pupusarias are common in areas with a large population of Salvadorians (Pupusas are stuffed tortillas from El Salvador).
Of late, "Fresh Mex" or "Baja-style" Mexican food, which places an emphasis on fresh ingredients and sometimes seafood, is highly popular. El Pollo Loco ("The Crazy Chicken"), a fast food chain that originated in Northern Mexico, is a common sight. Baja Fresh, Rubio's Baja Grill, Wahoo's Fish Taco, Chipotle, Qdoba and La Salsa are examples of the Baja-style Mexiamerican food trend.
[edit] Meat
Organic/hormone free/antibiotic free/cage free meat is popular.
[edit] Techniques
The state's somewhat health-conscious lifestyle means that frying or battering foods is rarer in California than elsewhere, although there are exceptions: fish tacos and tempura are two examples.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Khokha, Sasha. "In Rural California, an Imperial Dynasty Ends", National Public Radio, 2005-07-15).
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