Amurrica: Land of the Free, Home of the Twinkie

Happpy birthday America!!! What a special day it is, where we get to celebrate a country known for it's fried foods and processed goods! Where men stuff their faces with twinkies because we gained freedom from the Brits! Where there is a contest on Coney Island that celebrates how many hot dogs one can eat in 10 minutes! (Last year Joey Chestnut chowed down on 68 dogs and buns within that timeframe. AMAZING!) Oh yes, Amurrica is a very special country indeed. In honor of this great holiday (wave your flags and wear your red, white, and blue) I've decided to count down my top 5 favorite classic American foods OF ALL TIME. The foods I am including will be universally American, rather than sticking to one part of the country. (Such as Philly cheese steaks, New England Clam Chowder, or Maryland Crab Cakes. All American, all I love, but only delcious in specific parts of the country). My country tis of theeee.

5. Macaroni and Cheese: Although one could say this is very southern since it is the ultimate comfort food, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is practically an American gift to the world. I personally like the cheese whizzy flavor of velveeta more, but what's the difference. They are both so good for my soul! My personal favorite? Amy Ruth's in Harlem. Please, try it. It's like crack (except crack is awful for you and I've never tried it). You may never like another Mac and Cheese dish again. Thomas Jefferson discovered a similar noodle dish on a trip to Europe, brought it back to the US as macaroni pie, and wala! That's about as Independance Day as it gets. I feel more patriotic just discussing this dish!

4. Apple Pie (a la Mode): Apples. Pie. Johnny Appleseed (remember this fellow?) I scream for Ice cream. Again, this is truly Amurrica at it's finest. Fatty, milky, crusty substance with a little health thrown in through using apples. The warm ice cream over the microwaved apple pie is a gourmet delight! Only the best in Applebee's. I could eat this dessert all day long. But really, I only have it during Thanksgiving. I'm as American as they come.

3. Fried Chicken: Again, this food is mostly a southern comfort, but everyone everywhere can eat and make fried chicken. Hello KFC and Popeyes! This goes great with Mac and Cheese and other unhealthy side dishes, a true representation of what America is. This dish with waffles, OMG. Heart attack on a plate, and worth every single bite. Pies n Thighs in Brooklyn makes a mean fried chicken, you know, if you don't want the fast food versions. But this is America! So stick to the fast food.

2. Corn Dogs: Hot dogs wrapped in cornmeal and fried!? I LOVE THIS COUNTRY. This is my guilty pleasure. When I want to be really unhealthy like a true American hero, I eat these. And cherish every bite. A little mustard, and this reformed hot dog on a stick is better than a hot dog that isn't fried! I love getting these gems out of small trucks at ghetto carnivals on the side of the road that probably haven't been cleaned since 1776. YUM.

1. Peanut Butter: And the winner is-PEANUT BUTTER. I bet you thought it would be hamburgers, or ribs, or hot dogs without the cornmeal. Let me tell you, I have been in love with this food since I was a young child. Obsessed really. Reeses peanut butter cups, bananas and peanut butter, apples with peanut butter, peanut butter sandwiches (without jelly), peanut butter ice cream, you could eat it with anything! I love it all!!! I could eat it all day every day, and I mostly do. I have bread with peanut butter every single morning of the week for breakfast, and it never gets old.

Now I'm going to go off, dress like an American flag, and eat so much food that I won't be able to move. GOD BLESS AMERICA.