With apple pie existing before the United States of America was an even a thought, the phrase 'as American as apple pie' is widely ironic. However, there is no denying that we Americans have definitely perfected the pastry dish's recipe over the past couple of centuries. Traditionally, many of us grew up eating a slice of apple pie accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. That isn't the case for the citizens of Vermont who prefer their pie with a slice of hard cheddar cheese. No, there's nothing wrong with your eyes and you read that right. Apple pie with a side of cheddar cheese.
With the state being known for its apple orchids, many bakers have had the opportunity to experiment with the world-renowned pie and came up with the bizarre combo that is now a Vermont food staple. Some residents who swear by the pie claim that the saltiness of the cheese perfectly balances the sweetness of the pie reminiscent to the combination of chocolate-covered pretzels. We're not exactly sure if that's true or not but if you're daring enough, try it for yourself.
Chefs made their way into celebrity land a while ago. But how many celebrities that weren’t trained as professional cooks are actually whizzes in the kitchen? Here are several that come to mind.
Actress Julia Roberts is confident about her cooking skills. “I’m quite a good cook,” she told E! News. “I’m like a closet home ec teacher…I can really cook anything.” Roberts has said she often cooks fish for herself and her kids. And speaking of her three children, “They think that I’m a good cook,” Roberts told People. “They actually told me that I should open a restaurant.” She also relishes cooking for the holidays, particularly shredded Brussel sprouts. Roberts hasn’t published a cookbook, but we did find recipes attributed to her for peach crisp and banana hemp muffins. Or you can make the same summer salad the actress supposedly eats.
Chrissy Teigen started off as a supermodel. Then her love of cooking filtered into her professional life too. At this point, she’s created recipes for a limited Blue Apron release and also just launched her own home and cooking line at Target named “Cravings,” after the two cookbooks she’s released. Teigen describes cooking as “a time of peace” for herself. So maybe peace out to her tuna melt sandwich or the fried chicken wings that are a favorite of her husband, John Legend.
Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, comes from a cooking Italian family. Her father started his own restaurant in New York and also published a cookbook. And apparently, Lady Gaga has inherited the family’s cooking genes. Her Instagram account occasionally features photos of her culinary activities. Sure, sometimes it’s topless cooking. But other times it’s more poignant like in the post she shared about her bringing food to the family of her dear friend who passed away. Want to try a Gaga/Germanotta family favorite? Check out her recipe for whole wheat pasta with a sweet fennel sauce.