The subject of American cuisine is a complicated and somewhat controversial topic, argued from multiple directions by historians, chefs, scholars, and patriots alike - "what is American cuisine?" When the Italians or Japanese are asked to define the basics of their native food, the answers come easily; defining ingredients and dishes are generally well known even by foreigners, and there are centuries of historical information to support the responses. Ask five people individually the same question about American cuisine and odds are you"ll receive five different answers, if you get one at all.

The confusion is justifiable. For centuries now the U.S. has been the destination of billions of immigrant peoples, and as these foreign cultures have adjusted to our society they have contributed as well. Jot a quick list of food items usually considered "American" you'll find this is true. Hamburgers and hotdogs? German. Pizza and ice cream? Italian. The patriotic dessert found in the phrase : as American as apple pie? Originally a British treat (mirrored by the Dutch). The mixed lineage of some of our most culturally important foods has caused cynics to claim that America has no native cuisine but they're wrong.

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