Eat Your Way Across the USA

July 01, 2010
BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER
Celebrate America's Independence Day with a sea-to-shining-sea culinary tour of our nation's favorite recipes. 
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Alabama Pulled Pork Sandwiches with White Barbecue Sauce

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr; Leigh Ann Ross
These pulled pork sandwiches, topped with Alabama-style white barbecue sauce and served on homemade biscuits, are perfect for casual entertaining.
Alabama Pulled Pork Sandwiches with White Barbecue Sauce Recipe
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2 of 31

Strawberry-Lemon Baked Alaska

Photo: Sunset
If you've never made one of these classic confections, you'll be tempted now. The bottom layer is genoise, a light, rich cake for which eggs and sugar are warmed over simmering water and then beaten with other ingredients. Ice cream goes on the cake, then the whole thing is cloaked in meringue and put in the oven. The meringue turns golden but insulates the ice cream, so it stays frozen. Prep and Cook Time: about 1 1/4 hours, plus at least 6 1/4 hours of chilling and freezing time.
Strawberry-Lemon Baked Alaska Recipe

3 of 31

Arizona Tortilla Soup

James Carrier
Notes: This soup comes from Donna Nordin, chef-owner of Café Terra Cotta in Tucson and Scottsdale, Arizona. Make the salsa while the soup boils.
Arizona Tortilla Soup Recipe
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4 of 31

California Chicken Sandwich

Photo: Oxmoor House
This healthy chicken sandwich on toasted sourdough bread is a great choice for lunch or a light dinner.   Serve with fresh fruit to round out the meal. 
California Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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Pork Marinated in Chile Colorado

Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
"If I had to pick a last meal, this would be it. Serve this as an entrée wrapped in warm flour tortillas, or pair it with eggs over easy and potatoes for breakfast." -TM
Pork Marinated in Chile Colorado Recipe

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Florida Spritzer


Florida Spritzer Recipe
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7 of 31

Georgia Pecan Salad


Georgia Pecan Salad Recipe

8 of 31

Hawaiian-Portuguese Smoked Turkey

Lisa Romerein

A wave of Portuguese came to Hawaii in the late 1800s to work the sugarcane fields, and over time their cooking traditions fused with those of other cultures in the islands, including Chinese and Japanese. Greg Boyer picked up this recipe from a Hawaiian-Portuguese acquaintance some 30 years ago. Prep and Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours, plus 2 days to marinate. Notes: Boyer starts with a frozen turkey and marinates it for 3 days; our version starts with a thawed or fresh bird. If your arms aren't strong, it's helpful to have a friend or relative help you ease the turkey on and off the grill.


Hawaiian-Portuguese Smoked Turkey Recipe

9 of 31

Kentucky Spiced Stack Cake

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Fonda Shaia

Kentucky Spiced Stack Cake Recipe
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10 of 31

Louisiana Goulash

Karry Hosford
"This recipe was invented using trial and error. The name is actually a joke. My dad couldn't think of 'jambalaya,' so he said, 'Pass the Louisiana goulash.' This made us laugh, and it's in honor of him." -CL Reader
Louisiana Goulash Recipe

11 of 31

Maine Crab Cakes with Lime Aïoli

Photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn; Styling: Max Ultimate Food
Top mini crab cakes with homemade lime aïoli and sliced chives for an eye-catching and delicious appetizer. 
Maine Crab Cakes with Lime Aïoli Recipe

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Maryland Crab Cakes With Creamy Caper-Dill Sauce

Photo: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Cari South
These golden cakes have a higher ratio of crabmeat to filling than other recipes, yet they still hold up nicely in the skillet.
Maryland Crab Cakes With Creamy Caper-Dill Sauce Recipe
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Hoisin Pork and Boston Lettuce Wraps

Photo: Oxmoor House
Tender strips of pork, coated with a lime-infused hoisin sauce, are nestled in the delicate folds of soft, buttery Boston lettuce leaves and topped with a crunchy coleslaw. Three wraps are perfect for a light summer meal; individual wraps make excellent appetizers.

Prep: 11 minutes; Cook: 4 minutes
Hoisin Pork and Boston Lettuce Wraps Recipe

14 of 31

Las Vegas-Inspired Spring Menu

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Instead of winging your way to Nevada, whip up some of these decadent, delicious recipes. Remember, the house--that is, your house--always wins. (Serves 4-8)
Las Vegas-Inspired Spring Menu Menu

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New York Cheesecake


New York Cheesecake Recipe
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16 of 31

Carolina Grilled Shrimp

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Carolina Grilled Shrimp Recipe

17 of 31

Mom's Pennsylvania Dutch Beans

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro
Many Pennsylvania Dutch dishes trace their origins to the 17th-century German immigrants who farmed the southeast part of the state. This bean bake, with its tangy-sweet sour cream sauce, is one of them.
Mom's Pennsylvania Dutch Beans Recipe

18 of 31

Lowcountry Shrimp Pilaf

Randy Mayor
Serve this quick dish with a green salad and crusty bread for a delicious meal inspired by the cuisine of South Carolina.
Lowcountry Shrimp Pilaf Recipe
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19 of 31

Tennessee Caviar

Instead of fish eggs, this Southern version of caviar features down-home veggies. Make it a day ahead for the best flavor.
Tennessee Caviar Recipe

20 of 31

Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole


Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole Recipe

21 of 31

Panna Cotta with Vermont Blue Cheese and Roasted Stone Fruit

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Panna cotta is a light, silky Italian custard. Its delicate, sweet flavor is a blank slate that showcases Felino Samson's spirited cooking style. He emphasizes harmonic but bold flavors with roasted stone fruit and blue cheese.
Panna Cotta with Vermont Blue Cheese and Roasted Stone Fruit Recipe
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22 of 31

Broiled Oysters with Celery Cream and Virginia Ham


Broiled Oysters with Celery Cream and Virginia Ham Recipe

23 of 31

Royal Washington Apple


Royal Washington Apple Recipe

24 of 31

Santa Fe Snack Seeds

Divide this hip food gift evenly among small airtight storage jars available from import or home stores.
Santa Fe Snack Seeds Recipe
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25 of 31

Savannah-Style Crab Soup

Photo: Oxmoor House
If the flour starts to brown too quickly, remove the skillet from the heat and stir the flour constantly until it cools.
Savannah-Style Crab Soup Recipe

26 of 31

New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Randy Mayor; Katie Stoddard
Enjoy the best of the Big Easy with this traditional New Orleans-style bread pudding. It tastes so decadent, no one will believe it's been lightened! See our full collection of Cajun and Creole recipes for more ideas.
New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Recipe

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Fresh San Francisco Outdoor Meal

James Carrier
Usher in the elegance of the Golden Gate with this tasty meal of scallops, squash, and, for dessert, Merlot Strawberries with Vanilla Ice Cream. (Serves 6)
Fresh San Francisco Outdoor Meal Menu
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New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp

Bring the taste of New Orleans to your table this summer with this tasty barbecue shrimp recipe. Serve with a green salad and corn on the cob for a complete meal.
New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Recipe

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Kentucky Chocolate Nut Tartlets

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr
Chocolate, pecans, and bourbon fill petite versions of the state's favorite pie.
Kentucky Chocolate Nut Tartlets Recipe

30 of 31

Springfield Chilli

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro
The Illinois version of chili is typically spelled with an extra "l" and features coarse-grind beef, which we augment here with ground turkey breast. Regular ground meat will work just fine. In 1993, the state legislature proclaimed Springfield the "Chilli Capital of the Civilized World."
Springfield Chilli Recipe
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Show-Me-State Vegetable-Bean Soup

BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER

Show-Me-State Vegetable-Bean Soup Recipe
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