Information About California Style Cooking
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Posted On :
May-03-2010
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Article Word Count :
517
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California cuisine is a stylish genre of cooking which is increasing in recognition. Most people have heard the term before, but few can define what it really means.
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California cuisine is a stylish genre of cooking which is increasing in recognition. Most people have heard the term before, but few can define what it really means. Just as California is an assortment of many sub cultures, also is its food. At a basic level, California cuisine refers to local and organic food that is cooked using various spices and techniques found worldwide.
California has a long history of immigration and the food found there reflects many years of cultural integration. Because of the state's varied background, California cuisine has long been a fusion of food from around the globe. As an example, because California was a part of Mexico until 1848, its food continues to mirror Mexican and Spanish traditions. Additionally, the Gold Rush and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad attracted numerous Chinese immigrants to the area who have influenced the flavors found in food on the West coast. Famously, the flock of hippies to San Francisco in the 1960s localized popular food trends, such as vegetarianism, along with the philosophy of peace and love. One last and critical component to California cuisine is the application of French cooking approaches. The reason being many chefs that champion California cuisine went to culinary school in France. California cuisine remains influenced by all of these elements and the food is a mixture of ingredients and flavors.
When defining a cooking style as diverse as California cuisine, it is important to note the common thread is the preference to use fresh ingredients. Since California land can support different types of food, one hardly ever has to look far for seasonal produce. This continual availability of local ingredients produces endless menu options. Furthermore, the cuisine is marked by the use of organic produce and animals raised without hormone injections or antibiotics. Finally, the popularity of vegetarianism is greatly reflected in California cuisine to please its health and fitness conscious population. At its best, California cuisine is a celebration of fresh, sustainable, and healthy food.
Core foods in California cuisine are avocadoes, citrus fruits, herbs, seafood, and tofu. Meat and Chicken are popular proteins, with lamb and pork occurring less regularly. Cooking methods involve cooking the food fast on a barbeque or stove in order to protect color and freshness. Presentation and physical appearance of the food are essential factors of the cuisine. A classic example of California cuisine is the California roll offered in numerous sushi restaurants. These rolls consist of crab meat, cucumber, and avocado wrapped in nori (seaweed) and rice. Quite a few diners have sampled California rolls before venturing out to try other, more exotic food.
Alice Waters is long thought to be the guardian of California cuisine. Her restaurant, Chez Panisse, has set a high bar for the movement since the 1970s. Another popular chef who made California cuisine more mainstream is Wolfgang Puck. These chefs and their restaurants are breathtaking examples of the range one can obtain using local and seasonal ingredients. Thanks to the growing desire to eat fresh and local ingredients, California cuisine is here to stay.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Information About California Style Cooking_17694.aspx
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Author Resource :
If you thought this was an interesting article, culinary student Adrien Gilleran suggests additional sources of material related to San Francisco catering and Napa catering that you might find useful.
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Keywords :
San Francisco catering, San Francisco catering companies, Napa catering, San Francisco wedding caterer,
Category :
Food and Beverage
:
Cooking
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