All About America explores American culture, politics, trends, history, ideals and places of interest.
The United States broke free from Britain more than two centuries ago — except, maybe, when it comes to the traditional Christmas dinner.
"The way we structure that meal is probably our most British culinary experience on the American calendar," says Ben Davison, a chef, historian and lecturer at Loyola University New Orleans. "The way we envision a perfect Christmas dinner, the turkey and the prime rib — those are very classic British festive foods. … Even the way we structure the side items, potatoes and all that, these are all very much the British table."
Eggnog is a British concoction. And American efforts to recreate a traditional British Christmas pudding, made with dried fruit, rum and molasses, resulted in the modern fruitcake, according to Davison.
Some historians maintain that it was Charles Dickens’ classic novella "A Christmas Carol" that permanently influenced what Americans put on their holiday tables. Food scenes from the British author’s story reference turkey and cranberries, which are often served at Christmas today.
"That’s a lot to do with the power of British aristocratic culture still percolating, very subtly, in well-to-do America," Davison says.
