New England

New England Gourmet Cuisine

New England gourmet cuisine is the type cuisine in the New England region of the United States, which consists of the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island.

Gourmet cooking in New England just like general ways of cooking there often features seafood extensively as well as dairy products. This is due to the historical links of New England to the region's fishing industry and the seaports there.

Two native ingredients that characterize New England gourmet cuisine are cranberries and maple syrup. Other common New England ingredients are potatoes, parsley, sage, and creams. New England gourmets favor baked and stewed dishes.

New England gourmet cuisine is delicately flavored. Seasonings and spices are not usually used because historically, many herbs were not that common in the region. The common sweeteners used were molasses and honey.

Both traditional and gourmet New England cuisine are integral parts of the identity of this region. New England is home to all-time favorites enjoyed by gourmets in the whole of United States such as clam chowder, homemade ice cream and baked beans. New England gourmet cuisine has strong influences of Irish and Italian Americans and Portuguese fishermen that settled on New England's coasts.

Here are some classic gourmet recipes from New England

* New England clam chowder

Ingredients include: 4 slices of bacon, diced, 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine, half a cup each of chopped onion and chopped celery, 2 cups of cubed potato, 1 diced carrot,
1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 cup of evaporated milk, 2 cans of Island Gourmet butter clams (10 oz.), salt and pepper.

Drain the clams. Set aside the nectar. Sautee the bacon in margarine or butter until crispy and golden brown. Add the chopped onions and celery and cook to light brown color. Then add the nectar, carrots, potatoes, salt and pepper. Boil until the potatoes are cooked. Mince the clams and adding them while making sure the amount of nectar is balanced with the other ingredients. Warm. Add heated milk to the chowder and season to your taste.

* Smoked Salmon in Sour Dough

Shred 300 grams of aged cheddar cheese and add 500 grams of sour cream, a can of 5 ½ oz of St. Jean's canned smoked salmon and 500 grams of cream cheese. Mix these ingredients. Take 1 medium loaf of sour dough bread and hollow out the center. Fill the bread with the mixture and cover it with the loaf top. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are many other quick and easy gourmet recipes from New England. Research online or subscribe to gourmet magazines to get the latest in New England gourmet cooking.