# Ugly American cuisine **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 16, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812 "2013-04-16T04:18:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/161 "2013-04-17T16:19:38Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > Four pages and I haven’t seen a mention of mashed potatoes and marshmallows, or whatever it is. I’ve never had it and I absolutely would try it. But it sounds… like the worst possible idea for food. > > And now I am craving haggis so much I could cry. And this stupid country has no proper food at all, let alone a way of satisfying my haggis craving. ☹ Perhaps you are thinking about _sweet_ potatoes with marshmallows? Totally different things, they are. Haggis? We really need the puking smiley here. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/162 "2013-04-17T16:24:36Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Haggis? We really need the puking smiley here. Haggis is a lovely dish, once you put what you’re eating out of your mind. It tastes like spicy liverwurst and is very, very rich. Don’t know what country Gracer is in, but you can certainly get it in Toronto, Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/163 "2013-04-17T16:27:35Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I disagree. There’s a whole subcategory of casseroles called “layered casseroles,” so I disagree it all has to be mixed together. I’ve never cooked or eaten such things, apart from the kinds, like lasagna, that have their own names and traditions. _Is_ there a tradition (not just some invented recipes) of “layered casseroles” in America, otherwise? Whose, and where? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/164 "2013-04-17T16:27:50Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Haggis is a lovely dish, once you put what you’re eating out of your mind. It tastes like spicy liverwurst and is very, very rich. > > Don’t know what country Gracer is in, but you can certainly get it in Toronto, Canada. I think **gracer** is in the Netherlands currently. Haggis isn’t a dish; it’s a dare. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/165 "2013-04-17T16:30:59Z")
I agree, haggis is tasty. I wouldn’t eat a slab of it like meatloaf, but spread it on some bread with raw onions and mustard, and it’s great. But what does a category of food preparation, like “casserole,” really tell you? Isn’t it the specifics of what goes into it and what comes out that makes the difference? ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/166 "2013-04-17T16:32:52Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > In case you’re wondering, [etymonline has this](http://etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=neep&searchmode=none): Matter of “turnips – neeps”: thanks ! Brings all the threads together – it all goes originally back to the Latin “napus” (even the parsnip gets in on the act, in a “glancing” sort of way). Couldn’t resist looking in my German dictionary: for “turnip”, gives “Kohlrube” or “Stockrube”. Ah, well, dratted Krauts, what can you expect – never had the Romans to civilise them… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/167 "2013-04-17T16:39:05Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > I’ve never cooked or eaten such things, apart from the kinds, like lasagna, that have their own names and traditions. > > _Is_ there a tradition (not just some invented recipes) of “layered casseroles” in America, otherwise? Whose, and where? No, clue, but I’ve definitely come across a few of them in the Midwest. Layered cabbage casseroles, potato casseroles, Mexican burrito/enchilada-type casseroles. That sort of thing. Even the aforementioned “tater tot casserole,” appears to be [layered in a fashion](http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/10/tater-tot-casserole-weeknight-easy_22.html), although the layers don’t alternate. Even [Pillsbury has a layered casserole recipe](http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/creamy-spinach-and-beef-layered-casserole/1030b2bb-7a83-486f-a4f9-de1616fe5012) on their website. I suspect the ultimate derivation of these casseroles are similar dishes in the Old Country, but I always have lopped them in the general category of “casserole.” And I’m not sure what you mean by “invented recipes.” They’re all invented recipes. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/168 "2013-04-17T17:02:48Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > If a clay pot in an oven is all it takes to make a dish a casserole to you Well, yes, that’s what a casserole _is_, after all. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/169 "2013-04-17T17:49:49Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Since Campbell’s is the one that originally came up with the recipe, I’d say theirs in the most ‘accurate’. Well I guess my family improved on it then. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/170 "2013-04-17T18:03:57Z")
The “chicken enchildas” I grew up with in Central Wisconsin was the layered casserole version. I hated it then, and actually remembering the smell of it still turns my stomach, I’m perfectly ok with “real” enchiladas. Tater-tot casserole is a personal favorite and it’s something I ask my Mom to cook when I go home for visits. The tater-tots go on top of the beef/green bean/mushroom soup/onions mixture in my house. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/171 "2013-04-17T18:42:37Z")
For what it’s worth, a couple years ago Bon Appetit had a feature that took a few of the standard American throw-together casseroles, and made them from scratch with high-quality ingredients. You can see the recipes here. I’ve made the tuna one, and it’s delicious. I also make tuna-noodle casserole from soup as a quick dinner sometimes. It’s nowhere near as good as the Bon Appetit one, but it takes 20 minutes to throw together from pantry ingredients. The BA one takes a couple hours and I usually have to shop for a couple things first. The others look good as well. This thread has reminded me of them; I want to try them all. I don’t get all the Casserole hatred. I can see not liking specific casseroles, but the genre as a whole? There’s nothing wrong with it, and, as others have pointed out, they’re not at all just American things, most countries have some version or another of casseroles. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/172 "2013-04-17T18:52:31Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > I don’t get all the Casserole hatred. I can see not liking specific casseroles, but the genre as a whole? There’s nothing wrong with it, and, as others have pointed out, they’re not at all just American things, most countries have some version or another of casseroles. **Totally** agree with this! I love my casseroles - more often than not, it’s comfort food. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/173 "2013-04-17T18:54:29Z")
Isn’t Mac and Cheese basically just a casserole?? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/174 "2013-04-17T18:54:38Z")
I don’t think it’s “casserole hatred” so mush as it is “BAD casserole hatred.” People have only been exposed to bad casseroles and so have a warped perception of what heights they are capable of achieving. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/175 "2013-04-17T18:59:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Perhaps you are thinking about _sweet_ potatoes with marshmallows? Totally different things, they are. I’m American and wouldn’t eat either one. I’ve had those sweet potato and marshmallow dishes and found them pretty revoltingly sweet. More like a dessert, really. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/176 "2013-04-17T19:10:09Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I’m American and wouldn’t eat either one. I’ve had those sweet potato and marshmallow dishes and found them pretty revoltingly sweet. More like a dessert, really. No kidding. I have refused to eat any since I left home 40 years ago. Glazed sweet potatoes are yummy. Mashed and marshmallowed ones are not. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/177 "2013-04-17T19:36:58Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > No kidding. I have refused to eat any since I left home 40 years ago. Glazed sweet potatoes are yummy. Mashed and marshmallowed ones are not. My family does not have a tradition of sweet potatoes with marshmallow at Thanksgiving, so the first time I encountered, at someone else’s house in college, I found it revolting. I might have felt differently about it if I’d grown up with it, but my family seemed to think sweet potatoes were sweet enough on their own. I love savory sweet potato preparations, but not sweetened ones. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/178 "2013-04-17T20:53:37Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Isn’t Mac and Cheese basically just a casserole?? Yes…unless it comes from a box. > [@silenus](#): > > I don’t think it’s “casserole hatred” so mush as it is “BAD casserole hatred.” People have only been exposed to bad casseroles and so have a warped perception of what heights they are capable of achieving. It’s a little of column a and a little of column b, for me, depending on your definition of a casserole. I’m not against taking care while cooking things and then placing them in a casserole dish for the final prep, but Americans rarely do that and call it a casserole. Even then, there are things you can prepare properly like (apparently) lasagna and certainly home made mac 'n cheese that I think are awful. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/179 "2013-04-17T21:09:40Z")
I love home made Mac and Cheese (as long as they don’t use that cheese like product that comes in a box and isn’t refrigerated). Different strokes for different folks, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812/180 "2013-04-17T21:13:09Z")
Poor **scabpicker** is really getting raked over the coals over this casserole business 😃 and it’s partly my fault. :o Nothing personal, we all have our likes and dislikes. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-american-cuisine/655812.md?page=10)