You Know You’re from the West Coast If You’ve Tried All These Foods
Updated: Apr. 12, 2021From Pacific smoked salmon to Mission-style burritos, the West Coast is full of unique regional foods. Cook your way through California, Oregon and Washington with these recipes.
Korean Pulled Pork Tacos
I created this surprising pulled pork recipe to replicate our favorite food truck tacos at home. They’re a little sweet, a little spicy and totally delicious any time of year. —Julie Orr, Fullerton, California
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Classic Avocado Toast
This is such an easy way to add avocados to your diet. Use healthy multi-grain bread and top with sliced radishes and cracked pepper or lime zest, chipotle peppers and cilantro for extra flavor. You’ll want to make this avocado toast recipe every morning! —Rachel Seis, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grilled Street Corn
Mexican food is my grandmother’s favorite. I wanted a perfect side for her legendary tacos, and this chile-lime grilled corn turned out to be just right. —Ashley Crainshaw, Shawnee, Kansas. If you don’t live on the west coast but still want some good food, this is the most delicious food from every state.
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Smoked Salmon Cheese Spread
Pretzels, chips, and veggies all taste awesome with this creamy blend of salmon, cheese, and herbs. Thanks to a food processor, it’s always ready in a hurry. —Jill Campbell, Huntsville, Texas
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Cobb Salad
Made on the fly by Hollywood restaurateur Bob Cobb in 1937, the Cobb salad is a world-famous American dish. Here’s a fresh take, with all the original appeal and an extra special presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Oregon’s Best Marionberry Pie
I believe Oregon marionberries make about the best berry pie in the world. And when you add some cream cheese and flavorings, you’ll be making the best even better! —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
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Mexican Hot Dogs
My stepmom was born in Mexico and introduced us to hot dogs with avocado and bacon. We were instantly hooked. Now our whole family makes them. —Amanda Brandenburg, Hamilton, Ohio
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California Sushi Rolls
This tastes as good as any restaurant or store-bought California roll. Plus, it’s one of the easiest sushi recipes to make! For best results, do use the sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. If you’d rather go out to eat, here is the most iconic diner in every state.
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Fish Tacos with Guacamole
Fish tacos are my new favorite thing—lighter and healthier than beef tacos smothered in cheese. Try adding tomatoes, green onions and chopped jalapeno on top. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
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Colorful Shrimp Pad Thai
Bright, fresh veggie flavors, a splash of tart lime juice, the crunch of peanuts and a hint of heat make this healthy and beautiful shrimp stir-fry a real standout! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Maple-Bacon Doughnut Bites
While these delicious bite-size treats are ready in minutes, they’ll disappear in a flash. And don’t relegate the deep-fried goodness to the breakfast nook—I’ve never had anyone turn these down no matter the time of day. —Chelsea Turner, Lake Elsinore, California
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Spicy Fresh Seafood Cioppino
Using prepared pasta sauce makes this hearty and hot one-pot dinner a cinch. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington
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Brunch Burritos
I like to use a second slow cooker to keep the tortillas warm and pliable when I serve these hearty burritos. Just place a clean wet cloth in the bottom, then cover it with foil and add your tortillas.—Beth Osburn, Levelland, Texas
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Pacific Northwest Pickled Shrimp
This refreshing recipe is one of my husband’s favorites. I like to serve the sweet-sour pickled shrimp when we’re entertaining. People say it’s addictive! —Kathy Wright, Highland, California. Make sure you’re not breaking any of these strange food laws.
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Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps
Casual, flavorful, and low in carbohydrates, these Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps are a perfect and low-fuss way to feed a group. Place the ingredients in separate dishes and let your guests assemble their own wrap, which allows them to personalize to suit their tastes. —Gretchen Barnes, Fairfax, Virginia
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Creamy Irish Coffee
My maternal grandma seldom drank more than a glass of champagne at Christmas, but she couldn’t resist my Creamy Irish Coffee. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
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Date Shake
The shake has the rich taste of dates. We recommend using Medjool dates for the most flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Garlic-Chive Baked Fries
Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
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California Burger Bowls
Burgers are a weekly staple at our house year-round. Skip the fries, chips, and bun—you won’t need them with these loaded veggie & fruit burgers. To spice up the mayo, add 1/2 tsp. of chipotle powder. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Sage & Gruyere Sourdough Bread
A sourdough starter gives loaves extra flavor and helps the rising process. This bread, with sage and Gruyere cheese, comes out so well that I’m thrilled to share it. —Debra Kramer, Boca Raton, Florida
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California Club Pizza
You can use your favorite store-bought pizza dough or make your own for this West Coast-inspired pie topped with tomato, avocado, and sprouts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Washington State Apple Pie
This pie won Grand Champion in the Apple Pie category at the 1992 Okanogan County Fair. The pie looks traditional, but making your own filling gives it a different flair and great taste. —Dolores Scholz, Tonasket, Washington
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Mai Tai
This party favorite has been around for quite some time. It’s not overly fruity and features a good blend of sweet and sour. For a splash of color, garnish with strawberries and lime.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
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Barbecued Chicken Pizzas
So fast and so easy with refrigerated pizza crust, these saucy, smoky pizzas make quick fans with their rustic, hot-off-the-grill flavor. They’re perfect for impromptu cookouts and summer dinners on the patio. —Alicia Trevithick, Temecula, California
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Pork, Bean & Rice Burritos
The combination of spices is key to this slow-cooked pork—it’s my family’s favorite burrito filling. The aroma that fills the air as the pork slowly simmers is like a Mexican restaurant. A perfect recipe for tailgate parties. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
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Cappuccino Punch
When I tried this punch at a friend’s wedding shower, I had to have the recipe. Guests will eagerly gather around the punch bowl when you ladle out this frothy mocha ice cream drink. —Rose Reich, Nampa, Idaho. If cappuccino isn’t your thing, visit the best coffee shop in every state and order a different drink.
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Chicken & Waffles
My first experience with this dish sent my taste buds into orbit. I first made this chicken and waffles recipe into appetizers, but we all love them as a main course, too. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
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Pesto Buttermilk Dressing
A good dressing is hard to beat; a great one is brilliant. We love a tangy blend of buttermilk and Greek yogurt. —Liz Bellville, Jacksonville, North Carolina
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Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon
I have a huge herb garden and love using herbs in almost everything I cook. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we eat a lot of wild-caught salmon, so I use fresh herbs in this moist and delicious grilled recipe. On cooler days, bake it instead. —Michelle Glassmeyer Wunsch, Bothell, Washington
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California Citrus & Avocado Salad
The awesome flavors in this salad remind me of my childhood in Southern California. My great-uncle had an orchard, so our family meals were filled with avocados, citrus fruits, and nuts of all varieties. —Catherine Cassidy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Oregon’s Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookie
Oregon has an abundance of nuts, and these nutty cookies are popular with the ladies at my craft club. Growing up during the Depression, my mother taught us to use what was available and said, “It doesn’t have to be expensive to be good.” She was right! —Selmer Looney, Eugene, Oregon. To get the ingredients to make these delicious recipes anywhere in the United States, make sure to visit the best grocery store in your state.
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