We had to start somewhere, and that somewhere was with a Jenga-style stack of plump, cheesy grits chips. For extra flavour, dunk your soldiers into chilli, yuzu and Japanese mayo sauce.
Grits chips with yuzu chilli sauce
2. Baby got back
Not to be confused with the Memphis method of marinading, Kansas city-style pork ribs are covered in a dry rub, smoked with fragrant wood and intermittently basted with barbecue sauce. Wash your hands before rib consumption, this recipe from Fancy Hank’s Mike Patrick requires a great deal of finger licking.
Source: Benito Martin
Birthplace of jazz, Mardi Gras the New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Society, Louisiana is a must-visit for any self-respecting road tripper. Named after the striking streetcar workers of 1929, po-boys or “poor boys” are sandwiches filled with fried things. This slider version pairs panko-crumbed calamari with dill pickles, cos lettuce and a generous squirt of mayo.
Two in one: crisp calamari in a burger! Source: Armelle Habib
In a typically American take on fried clams, this Boardwalk Empire-inspired snack sees the molluscs covered in a masa and buttermilk batter, fried until golden and served atop “red hot sauce”. Careful if you can’t handle the heat.
It’s easy to hanker for home-style cooking when you’re roaming across America. Find your comfort fix in frijoles charros or “cowboy’s beans”. Hearty and relatively healthy, this pinto bean and bacon (or pancetta?) stew possesses all the qualities of a warm hug. Serve with tortillas to soak up the goodness.
In the first episode of Unplanned America (series 2), the Aussie lads pay a visit to Heart Attack Grill and discover why this fast food joint lives up to its reputation. We don’t advocate dangerous behaviour, but if you’re a burger-loving thrill seeker, this pork belly, tofu and Sriracha slaw specialty is an must. Served with Sichuan onion rings, it's officially a “sometimes” food.
Source: Feast magazine
We’ve reached the vegetable (technically fruit) component of dude food dietary requirements – fried green tomatoes. Thought to have entered Southern cuisine by way of Jewish immigrants, the dish gained fame from Fannie Flagg’s 1987 novel, Fried Green Tomatoes and the ensuing film.
Fried green tomatoes.
We’re making a Turkish pit stop on our tour through the fundamentals of dude food. The Islak hamburger, also known as a “wet hamburger”, is essentially a garlic and tomato-soaked hamburger that's left to go soggy in a hamam-style glass box. Mightn't sound like much, but this burger is boss.
Source: SBS Food
To quote Sydney chef Dan Hong (who does dude food REAlLY well): “Who doesn’t love fried chicken? Even vegetarians like fried chicken.” In this Korea-meets-Kentucky take, Hong marinades his spatchcocks in Shaoxing wine, before battering, frying, scattering with “spicy salt” and dunking in criminally good kimchi mayo.
In an “Oh Man!” example of diner dude food, we bring you biscuits with pulled brisket and milk gravy. Similar to a scone, Southern-style “biscuits” work as your burger bun, while the milk gravy combines beef dripping, flour and milk. Brisket is, well, you know what brisket is.
For more Unplanned America action, head here.
Source: Derek Swalwell
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