Quintessential Californian Dishes You Have to Try

4 Quintessential Californian Dishes You Have to Try 

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that California has one of the best food cultures in the country. Indeed, California has a rich and diverse food culture. This is why we thought it would be valuable to talk about the most important Californian dishes. If this is something that you want to learn more about, read on as we list down four quintessential Californian dishes you have to try.

Mission Burrito

A Mission burrito is created by wrapping all the ingredients together in a burrito-sized tortilla.  It’s held closed with a toothpick. A Mission burrito is a large, rolled tortilla filled with baked beans, rice, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, and jalapenos. The originators of either El Faro taqueria in San Francisco’s Mission District or La Cumbre Taqueria created the Mission Burrito. A Mission burrito is created by wrapping all the ingredients together in a burrito-sized tortilla and holding it closed with a toothpick. A Mission burrito is a large, rolled tortilla filled with baked beans, rice, sour cream, and guacamole.

California-Style Pizza

In 1980, chefs at the famous restaurant Chez Panisse invented a style of pizza that combines New York and Italian-style thin crusts.  They changed it up with unique topping combinations. The crust is light, airy, and tender, while topping combinations include shrimp, asparagus, and smoked salmon. Pizza can be topped with chicken, peanut sauce, barbecue sauce, goat cheese, and pineapples. The pizza usually goes well with beer or white wines, including sparkling ones.

Avocado Toast

Avocado toast is a simple yet tasty dish made out of a piece of toasted bread and mashed avocados. Toppings like salmon, tomatoes, onions, eggs, garlic, cheese, olive oil, and red pepper flakes add to a more elaborate dish. Although the dish is quite simple and straightforward, there is much debate about whether it originated in Australia or in Los Angeles. Regardless of its origin, avocado toast has become a global staple and is one of the most iconic dishes. 

French Dip Sandwich

The french dip is a popularized sandwich in California that, despite its name, has little to do with France. The secret of the sandwich is to dunk the bread in broth, which softens it slightly. The sandwich consists of thinly sliced roast beef (alternatively, roast pork, leg of lamb, turkey, or ham).  Add black pepper, mustard, and horseradish on a long white French roll (or a baguette). Sometimes, chefs will add Swiss cheese, American cheese, Monterey Jack, or blue cheese to further enhance its flavors. Restaurants usually serve this sandwich with a side.  Options of coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickles, black olives, or yellow chili peppers are common.

Conclusion

As you can see, Californian food culture is quite deep and diverse. We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to furthering your knowledge of Californian food culture. One of the best ways to get to know a place is by diving into its food culture. Because it really says a lot about the place and the people who live in it.

If you want to indulge in Californian food, why not hire a private chef? If you’re looking for a private chef that can provide you and your guests with the best dining experience possible, Food Fire + Knives has got you covered. Contact us so we can help you find the perfect chef for your next dinner party. If you want to learn more about what the in-home chef experience in Los Angeles has to offer, check out our blog today!

Published By Kim Gandhi Kim Gandhi began cooking at 8 years old with a love of food driving her to experiment with her Hispanic and German heritage. She gained a BBA in Marketing and turned to the business world for much of her career. Her strong customer service background and her passion for great events that involve chefs, customers, and amazing food allows her to indulge in her love of cooking and enjoying what FFK chefs bring to the table.