W3 - What is "American" Food?

Working in a number of restaurants over the course of the past few years has given me a strong background with food -- though serving is a skill I just can't quite master.  However, growing up as a vegetarian, I was limited in the food I could consume.  Thus, my concept of traditional American foods differs greatly from someone who grew up eating, let's say, steak and chicken.  But, I'll try my best by including one food option from each section you would typical find on a menu...

- Strawberry & Spinach Salad
While the consumption of fast food is at an all-time high, a health frenzy is also striking our society, thus, I feel it imperative to have a salad on the menu -- a spinach salad (for nutritional value). This salad is topped with fresh, sliced strawberries, candied walnuts, crumbled bleu cheese and a raspberry vinegarette dressing. You can also add grilled chicken.

- Shrimp & Scallops Pasta
Many Americans consider seafood a delicacy.  Thus, I wanted to include seafood in my pasta
feature.  The shrimp and scallops are marinated in a creamy alfredo sauce (also very indicative of America) and displayed upon a mound of angel hair pasta. 

- Ham & Swiss Sandwich
I feel this particular sandwich is extremely popular amongst Americans and one you most likely would not find in Germany.  This sandwich is served on warm on foccacia bread, topped with mayonnaise, mustard and lettuce.

- Flank Steak
Of course it wouldn't be an American restaurant if we didn't serve steak.  Cooked to your request and topped with bleu cheese (obviously my favorite addition to any food). Maybe, we'll throw a vegetable on the side...let's say broccoli sauteed in butter?

- Wild Grilled Salmon
Fish entrees are becoming increasingly popular as they are typically a healthy alternative to steak or pasta.  This salmon is blackened and served on a bed of wild rice.

- Banana Foster
What is an American meal without a high-calorie dessert.  I chose my all-time favorite dessert for this menu -- banana foster.  Chocolate shortcake and fresh, sliced bananas are sauteed in a brown sugar and bourbon and served with two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream.