The American Plate - Review

The American Plate: A History of The United States in 100 Bites by Libby H. O'Connell

This is American History in 100 bites.  Starting with Maize and what was done to it to make it palatable and working all the way up to hot dogs, iceberg lettuce and Coca Cola.  With each bite we get a history lesson, context and occasionally a recipe.  While not all of these recipes are appetizing (roast beaver tail anyone?) some are quite appetizing.  Early recipes such as Cockaleekie Soup and Colonial Syllabub as well as later ones such as Ofelia Braga's Picadillo Criollo and Ginger Carrot Soup are fairly simple, tasty looking and require easy to find ingredients.

This is more a history book than a cookbook and I liked the way it was broken up.  Each bit is a miniature history lesson focused on why that particular food was important, how it was used and what it meant.  It was really interesting to see the when and the why to things like Irish potatoes and sushi as well as seeing how things like refrigerators changed our food styles.

While this isn't really a cookbook this is what I would consider a "flip through" book.  A book I wouldn't necessarily sit down to read from cover to cover but one I would want to pick up and read bits and pieces from.  I would definitely prefer it in print versus ebook format.

If you love food and you love history this is a fun and informative way to spend a few hours!

I'm linking up with Beth Fish Reads for Weekend Cooking.