One of the most popular American proverbs says: “As American as apple pie”, which translates as “Typically American as an apple pie”. It’s used when people talk about the best, the most traditional things for American culture. And what could be more authentic than sweets?
An apple pie is a basket made of shortcrust pastry, generously filled with apples mixed with cinnamon and sugar. It turned out that in the 14th century, sugar was not used, but in a pie we know and love, it was added to since the 16th century. When the colonists from England arrived in North America, they found here local apple trees, they were very different from the English ones – low shrubs covered with small sourish fruits (the so-called crabapple tree, the only “native” apple trees in America). That is why they began to add more sugar to the American apple pie. In the cookbook of 1796, entitled “American Cooking” by Amelia Simmons, there were two recipes for an apple pie. In the first one, a grated lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg were added to the apples. In the second – cinnamon, butter and wine. Instead of apples in sand-baskets, you can add any berries or even vegetables (traditionally, on the Thanksgiving table, not only an apple but also a pumpkin pie is served).
How to Cook American Apple Pie
- We combine sifted flour, butter, egg, sugar, a spoon of water.
- Mix the homogeneous shortcrust pastry. Put it in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 392 degrees F. Clean apples and cut into thin, 4-5 mm, segments.
- Melt the oil, add flour.
- In the oil with flour, add sugar and water. Put the mixture on the fire and cook until the sugar dissolves.
- Join the butter cream to apples.
- Roll out the part of the pastry and put into a cooking shape.
- Spread the filling on the pastry.
- Transfer the second part of pastry on the pie.
- Bake the apple pie for 40-45 minutes or more at 356 degrees F in a preheated oven.
A New York cheesecake is considered to be the same symbol of the city as well as an apple pie. The fact that cheesecakes were known and popular in Europe did not stop Arnold Ruben, the owner of the Turf restaurant on Broadway, from declaring himself the creator of “the real cheesecake.” And starting in 1929, the history of the New York cheesecake began – a combination of pure cream cheese, cream, eggs, and sugar (and no curd, as in Europe). Now, of course, cheesecake is cooked with jam, berries, and cocoa, but the true New Yorker knows what a real creamy-cheesecake looks like.
How to Cook a Classical New York Cheesecake
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a pan.
- In a bowl, mix cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture onto bottom of a pan.
- Join cheese to sugar in a bowl. Lay the cream on the pastry.
- Bake for 1 hour.
Brownies is another traditional delicacy that tastes like a thick, viscid chocolate mixture. Actually, the basis of the recipe is either chocolate or cocoa powder. Unlike the apple pie, which “came” from Europe, brownies were invented in America. According to one version, Fanny Farmer in 1905 baked chocolate cookies in the form of mini-cakes, especially for female visitors of her sweet shop. According to another version, a certain Miss Browne forgot to add baking powder to the chocolate cake dough, and it turned out to be flat. In any case, the well-known recipe was published in 1906 – and conquered America. Now, there are many recipes of the brownie – with nuts, raisin, and berries.
How to Cook Brownies
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a pan.
- In a large pan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Add 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Researchers believe that love for sweets is not a bad habit, but a biological need. First, sugar is the source of glucose, the “fuel” that is necessary for the work of all organs. Secondly, delicacies stimulate the production of serotonin, a hormone that plays an important role in our mood regulation, controls the production of other hormones responsible for sleep, appetite, and working capacity. You can always change recipes with benefit for yourself and your body. And they won’t be less tasty. Moreover, you can find many vegetarian restaurants in New York, where you can find delicious sweeties for veggies. Delicious food doesn’t always mean unhealthy food.