ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Midwestern cuisine

Midwestern cuisine refers to the food that is part of the culture of the Midwest states in the United States. The Midwest is in the middle of the country and includes states like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Imagine you are in the kitchen helping your mom or dad cook. You need ingredients to make food, right? The Midwestern states have farms and agriculture that provide many of the ingredients for their meals. Corn and wheat are two examples of crops they grow a lot of. These crops can be made into things like bread, cornbread, tortillas, and cereal.

In the Midwest, they also have a lot of meats like beef, chicken, and pork. They use these meats to make things like hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and meatloaf. These dishes are often grilled, fried, or roasted. They also have a lot of fish in the Great Lakes, which are five big lakes in the northern part of the Midwest.

The Midwest is known for comfort food. That means food that makes you feel happy and cozy like mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and casseroles. Casseroles are dishes that usually have some kind of meat, vegetables, and a creamy or cheesy sauce. They are all mixed together and baked in the oven.

Midwesterners also enjoy sweet treats like pies and cakes. Apple or pumpkin pie is a popular dessert in the fall when the apples and pumpkins are ready to be picked. People also like to eat ice cream, especially in the summertime when it gets hot outside.

In summary, Midwestern cuisine is all about using local ingredients to make delicious, comfort foods that make you feel happy and cozy. It includes lots of meats, corn and wheat products, and sweet treats like pies and cakes.