July is French American Heritage Month! Just like last month, we will be celebrating this beautiful culture by taking a look at the cuisine and culinary traditions. The purpose of this month is to acknowledge the contributions French immigrants have made to the history and culture of the United States. The French immigrants have been in the United States since as early as 1538. They were a pivotal part in our Revolutionary War and even gave us our symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty!
When thinking of French American cuisine, one name that pops up often is Julia Child. She popularized French cooking techniques in the US, which made them more accessible to American home cooks. Common techniques we have come to know, like sautéing, braising, and poaching, all come from the French. French American culture can be widespread throughout the United States but can be seen most fluently in places like California, New York, and Louisiana.
Louisiana has a cultured cuisine called Cajun that ties French, Canadian, and American cuisine together; a sort of fusion. Louisiana used to exist as a French colony. The French immigrants who were exiled from Canada found their way to this colony. These Acadians were farmers and fishermen who used what they had. This mentality became a distinct factor of this new cuisine. When in this new climate, they adapted their cooking style to use what they now had in this new place.
Ingredients like rice, okra, pepper, and seafood became staples of the Cajun diet. This includes crawfish, shrimp, oysters, and seafood. Gumbo is one of the most recognizable foods from the Cajun culture. It is a brothy, vegetable-filled, and protein-rich bowl of warmth. Another common dish is rice and beans. This is just as it says, a dish of slowly cooked rice and beans with sausage, garlic, and Cajun spices. While these both sound delicious, can this fusion of French-American cuisine be healthy?
French American food can be good for your health. French cuisine often values fresh ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats. With this also comes balance and moderation. The French approach to food highlights balance and moderation. This means that there are typically smaller portions of food, and these portions are enjoyed more slowly. This emphasizes quality over quantity. The fruits and vegetables that are used plentiful in French American cuisine are composed of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
Want to try this at home? The good news is that you most likely have had some variation of French cuisine in your life. By incorporating this style of cooking into your everyday life, you can reap the benefits of fresh ingredients while also celebrating the French-Americans who brought it!
References:
- Popular Cajun Foods: https://www.chefspencil.com/popular-cajun-foods/
- Is Cajun Food Considered French: https://meatcheftools.com/is-cajun-food-considered-french/
- French-American Heritage Month: https://www.scarsdalelibrary.org/blog-entries/french-american-heritage-month-july-2023
