🇺🇸 POPPY VS AMERICA: the wildest food adventure yet?!

After a few trips to the US with work, I became kinda obsessed with American food. We’re talking funeral potatoes, grits, tater tots, and deep-fried butter balls (yes, that’s a thing). The weird, the wonderful and everything in between, 

So, I grabbed a camera, gathered (mostly) the right ingredients, and set out on a mission: to cook, taste, and rate America’s most iconic dishes out of 10. Now, you know what to expect when it comes to my style of cooking, so lets just say it’s been chaotic. Some recipes were absolute winners, and others…well, let’s just say, America  you are truly wild and I love you, but also stop. 

This list will be updated each time I try a new recipe, but here is what I’ve tackled so far 👇

FUNERAL POTATOES 💀

I had to start with a spud dish, obviously. Cornflakes and condensed soup in the same bowl? I was deeply confused snd unconvinced this would work, that was until I tasted it. Crunchy, creamy, and totally comforting. I get why this turns up at every potluck. Big win from me (and from Tom, who inhaled half the tray).

If you’re looking for a unique midweek meal to test out, I’d suggest this one. 

Rating: 8

BISCUITS & GRAVY 🍪

I followed a proper Southern recipe and got absolutely roasted in the comments for my “too crunchy” biscuits. But to be fair, I did actually like them and there was not a soggy bottom in sight. I’ve since retried with your tips and now totally get the hype. That creamy, meaty gravy? Unreal. Please make this. 

Rating: 8.6

WATERGATE SALAD 💚

Right… America, I owe you a big apology. I used butterscotch Angel Delight instead of pistachio pudding mix. Rookie error. I missed the neon green glow and the flavour, so can I say I have actually tried this salad…probably not. Lesson learned and next time I will be importing the proper stuff. If you still want to watch me make my take on it, and my reaction to it, click the vid below. 

Rating: 3

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE 🍠

This one had me SHOOK. I knew it was a side to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but I was convinced it should be on the dessert table. Turns out it’s insanely good. The mix of sweet and savoury totally works. I was expecting it to be overly sweet, but was pleasantly surprised and I will be testing it out on my next roast dinner. I also may have eaten it with roast beef and questioned everything I believed about food pairings. 

Rating: 8

TATER TOT HOTDISH 🇺🇸

A layered casserole where literally nothing gets mixed together? That’s wild behaviour, America. I loved the sweetcorn (I can sit and eat sweetcorn straight from the tin as a snack), but wasn’t sold on the green beans, and have decided the only solution was more cheese (but melted), more seasoning and more flavour in general. I want a bit of onion and garlic in there. It was just missing that little something. 

Rating: 3.5

DEEP-FRIED BUTTER BALLS 🧈

Yep, literally butter. Frozen, battered, deep-fried. Sounds unhinged doesn’t it? Crisp on the outside, molten sugary gold in the middle. It’s like if a doughnut and knob of butter had a gloriously greasy baby. I LOVED IT.

It’s the same level as a deep-fried Mars Bar, in that you’d say that it’s outrageous and a travesty but after one bite, it’s almost worth the long-term health implications. This is one of those snacks that should definitely be enjoyed in moderation…

Rating: 9.4

NEW YORK GARBAGE PLATE🗽

Don’t be fooled by the name, this isn’t leftovers you found in the bin, it’s actually quite delicious. Imagine all your favourite post-night-out food piled onto one plate: burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese, fries, meat sauce, cheese, onions, ketchup, mustard. I can only imagine how good this would taste after a few voddy cokes. 

Rating: 9

Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch me make all of the above and so much more in typical chaotic fashion. 

And please, give me more proper American recipes in the comments below. What are some regional dishes you love…or hate? I wanna try em all.