All-American desserts
We just confirmed that our Chinese cohorts over in Shanghai (well, two of them at least) are finally confirmed as being able to come next week and will be here for about two weeks, learning and watching, et cetera.
Neither of them has been to the US before, and we think that they might be willing try to some fun American-style foods. So, on that note, my supervisor is having us organize a potluck, and as usual, I volunteered for dessert duty. Since there are about 25 of us total, I thought that I would make a couple of things, but now the decision comes as to what to make. I know that Chinese people don't generally have the same overly developed sweet tooth that we do here, so I don't want to force them to try something that would be really sweet or syrupy. Likewise, I am under certain constraints, so anything refrigerated or frozen is likely out.
On that note, what would you recommend? Apple pie? Chocolate chip cookies? Pumpkin Pie (less sweet)?
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19 Comments:
There is a baking book called All American Desserts, and at first, I thought this thread was going to be a review of one of its recipes!
I think any of the things you list would be fine--remember, they are coming to experience the U.S. Just as an American with an open mind traveling to China wants to sample the local cuisine, even if they don't 'like' it in the same way they like the food they are used to, they don't want their national diet and preferences replicated--allowing them to try chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, and so forth will be a great experience, even if they only take a taste.
That said, given the lack of 'dairy' in Chinese cuisine by and large, I would perhaps shy away from cheesecake and cream-filled stuff like Boston Cream Pie, and go more along the gelato route than perhaps full-fat ice creams.
Pies are very American, and I know KFC has gotten big in Beijing, so perhaps some traditional crusted pies like apple, blueberry, cherry, and so forth, would be a hit.
HeartofGlass at 9:02AM on 09/11/08
At the same time though, maybe do something out of the expected--I think even internationally, people would say "American= Apple Pie/Chocolate Chip Cookies"...Maybe try something still American, but less obvious. Like Peanut Butter cookies, Oatmeal Raisin, Carrot Cake, Pumpkin Pie (especially as it is the fall!!), Rich and fudgy brownies, Blondies, Chocolate Cake, Coffee Cake, Coconut Cake...It's a long list, but I feel like these are desserts that you would still find on tables across the United States.
Hope it all works out well!
luswim06 at 9:29AM on 09/11/08
Not overly sweet but lucious bananna cream pie with coconut and vanilla wafers..
Markbb at 9:40AM on 09/11/08
Cheesecake, apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, pumpkin pie, donuts. We found that chinese people really dig Carvel ice cream cake.
They thought it was really special. Fudgy the Whale ranked high.
JerzeeTomato at 9:44AM on 09/11/08
An old-fashioned peach cobbler.
LunaPierCook at 10:09AM on 09/11/08
Think fairs. Elephant ears, scones stuffed with ?, iced banana dipped in chocalate, assorted donuts, assorted brownies, all kinds of pies (like nuts, fruit, berry, cream) and cobblers. Lots of chocalate anything.. Think "Paula Deen", Coconut, Red Velvet, carrot, cupcakes, sundies. Assorted cookies (toll house, sugar, snckerdoodles, oatmeal raisin, monster, peanut butter, ect.) .
pjracz10 at 10:48AM on 09/11/08
Love the above ideas. The only thing I would add are puddings (especially butterscotch, or maybe rice pudding) and black-and-white cookies. I know those are more New York than overall American, but they're pretty and fun, and a nice balance with the not-too-sweet cookie and the sweet frosting.
Have fun!
CookiePie at 10:54AM on 09/11/08
I just had someone who is originally from Hong Kong tell me that perhaps a custard-based dish would work, since they often serve small (individual) custards as a finishing point to a meal. I would not mind trying that, but what kind of custard woudl work, or does anyone have any good ideas?
By the way, all of these ideas are great. And I was trying to narrow my search down! :)
Traveller at 11:27AM on 09/11/08
Maybe you could do an array of cupcakes? They could sample many varieties that way.
You could also do a strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.
A fresh fruit cup with honey and nuts would be good too.
Another idea-jello. (My brother lives in Singapore and they do beautiful layered desserts there of gelatin, so they might actually dig it...plus, it's not as sugary as some other options.)
gastronomeg at 12:23PM on 09/11/08
Rainbow cookies, cupcakes, carrot cake, apple and pumpkin pie, banana split, oreos, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies, jelly donuts, strawberry short cake.
KtMc24 at 3:33PM on 09/11/08
Spinning off of the custard idea, I think I might do the Butterscotch Budino recipe from Pizzeria Mozza and call it pudding. I'm pretty sure it's floating around the internet somewhere (epicurious or the LA Times). Butterscotch pudding is a pretty classic American dish, and that recipe isn't tooth-achingly sweet.
cyberroo at 6:50PM on 09/11/08
Point in mind-99% of Chinese people are lactose intolerant. So be careful of that.
michichan at 7:07PM on 09/11/08
^Yeah, that's why I thought staying away from the dairy was a good idea. Although I know you can't serve ice cream anyway, I was thinking of a Chinese student I knew from college, and we were talking about pints of ice cream. I made a joke about how pints rarely last people for 4 servings (or at least that was true with Ben & Jerrys when I was in college)--and he said he couldn't eat more than a tablespoon or two at a time, and it took him forever to get through a pint!
HeartofGlass at 7:22PM on 09/11/08
how about a good array of cookies, homemade and maybe even some from a good bakery.
huneybumper at 7:18AM on 09/12/08
could you do small individual pies? I've made key-lime pie this way but i'm positive you could do many others. Just put them in a muffin tin. I usually use a Nilla Wafer as the crust and they turn out great!
emlod10 at 8:51AM on 09/12/08
I'm from Hong Kong and one of the things that I miss from the US is s'mores. Berry shortcakes, whoopie pies, blondies, coffee cakes (or similar desserts with a streusel or crumb topping), fruit cobblers, and pumpkin or banana cream pies are also rare to find.
You might want to reduce the amount of sugar in your desserts since most Asians aren't big sweet tooths. Hope this helps! ;)
dreamsicle at 10:52AM on 09/12/08
Maybe a fall fruit shortcake would be nice, with sliced fresh plums, pears and/or apples. Not too sweet, with optional whipped cream on the side.
My sister-in-law makes trifles (layered puddings with fruits) with what's in season. They are refreshing and fresh tasting.
LadyMarmalade at 11:54AM on 09/12/08
I tend to think fruit pies when I think of "American" desserts - apple, peach, blueberry.... Or, if you want something less complicated, you can make any of those as a crisp - forget the pie dough and just add a yummy streusel topping. Serve with high-quality vanilla ice cream.
Other ideas: chocolate chip cookies, strawberry shortcake, chocolate cake, brownies, and maybe pound cake with fruit and whipped cream, or ice cream and hot fudge.
Have fun!
kimberlymac at 9:17AM on 09/13/08
Thing is if I go to another country I want to eat and sample foods the locals hang and stay away from tourist trappy places. Why even bother leaving home?
pjracz10 at 10:42AM on 09/19/08