Since the Obamas' state dinner last week featured classic American food, I've had traditional cuisine on the mind. We asked you to share what dishes you consider signature to the US, and the responses were deliciously varied, from apple pie to barbecue. Here, I've rounded up 10 recipes, inspired by your suggestions, for a good old American feast.
Last night the Obamas hosted their first state dinner of 2011. Yesterday, the menu was described as being "quintessentially American," but no specifics were released. While we tried to guess what would be served, in the end White House chefs Cristeta Comerford and Bill Yosses went with a surf and turf menu.
The first course was a pear, fennel, walnut, and goat cheese salad. The second plating consisted of poached Maine lobster served with glazed carrots and mushrooms. After a palate-cleansing lemon sorbet, the president, Chinese delegation, and their guests enjoyed rib eye with crisp onions, double stuffed potatoes, and creamed spinach. For dessert? Good old-fashioned apple pie and vanilla ice cream. The meal sounds perfect to me: it's luxurious, but classic. What do you think of the menu?
Tonight at the White House, chefs Cristeta Comerford and Bill Yosses are cooking up a special state dinner. Although the official menu has yet to be released, it is said that the Chinese delegation and the Obamas will dine on food that is "quintessentially American." But what exactly does that mean?
When I lived in Spain and people asked me to make "American food," I always served fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, so I guess that's what I consider to be the United States' signature dish. However, it's hard to pick just one dish, as pizza, burgers, and Caesar salads also come to mind. Which foods do you think are all-American? Please share with us below!
Source: Flickr User stu_spivack
We knew it'd be a big year for President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. But there's no way we would have predicted the extent to which they would become involved in America's growing culinary culture and increasing food politics. Not only did the first couple set an extraordinary example of how the nation should eat healthy and local, but every single bite, it seems — from a cheeseburger lunch in Arlington, VA, to barbecued chicken in the White House on Father's Day — seemed to be deemed worthy of national news and attention. Regardless of how you feel about the Obamas' year in the food spotlight, they certainly garnered plenty of attention.
Part of Michelle Obama's master plan to reform eating habits in this country includes the directive of a young chef named Sam Kass. Kass has been the Obamas' personal chef for several years now, and when the Obamas packed up and moved to the White House, he did too. 
Kass, 29, plays more than cook at his current post: he is the first White House chef to have an actual desk in the East Wing and works alongside the rest of Ms. Obama's policy team with the title of "food initiative coordinator," meaning he's given the daunting task of getting the entire country to eat better.
To hear how Kass is trying to making the country healthier, read more
True to the cultural tone President Obama is predicted to set, he took his family to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater perform at the Kennedy Center Friday night. The first family waved from the presidential box as audience members hung over the balcony, waving and trying to shake hands. Saturday the whole family retreated to Camp David in Maryland, along with Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, and a friend of Sasha's.
Remember when the Bushes told the Obamas "no, you can't" when they requested to stay at the Blair House? The decline sent the incoming president into the frigid, Winter night to find lodging in a manger hotel. Fancy as it may be, Rachel Maddow led us to the overwhelming question "who is more important than the Obamas?" The answer came Tuesday from the Washington Post: John Howard, former prime minister of Australia, that's who.
Howard and his mates will stay at the Blair House on Jan. 12, the night (just. one. night.) before he, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bush. Blair and Uribe were also invited to stay but found their own rooms — Blair at the British Embassy (better cuppas, I'm sure) and Uribe in the vague warmth of "other accommodations."
But there's more! Back in December when the request was made, the White House would not say who or what was penciled in. And last night on Countdown With Keith Olbermann, it was reported that, at the time, it was no one. Awkward! Howard's arrangements were made after Obama's request, possibly to quiet the press when it came buzzing. Also, Laura's throwing some 11th-hour parties there. But, wouldn't you?
Obama arrived in Washington on Sunday, following Michelle and daughters, Malia and Sasha, who came Saturday. The girls are set to start school at Sidwell Friends Monday, and the president-elect is ready to get to work. Only 15 days till inauguration! The family will stay at the Hay-Adams Hotel until Jan. 15. They'll then move into the Blair House, a government-owned guesthouse, according to inauguration tradition.
Nancy Reagan was Rainbow. Ronald was Unicorn. Joking! He was Rawhide. Hillary was Evergreen, and Bill was Eagle. And now the first and second families have their very own not-so-secret names. Why so transparent? Electronic communication now encrypts data so they're really just a throwback to another time. But as fun as ever! See if you can match the Secret Service name with the person in my quiz.
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