New Jersey’s Date of Statehood – December 18, 1787
One of the challenges of doing food from all 50 states is to find out what makes each one unique. Since they are (relatively) small and share much of the same climate, how do you differentiate? Well, in the case of New Jersey, you look to what they do best. Diners! There are more diners in New Jersey (approximately 525) than anywhere else, earning them the title of “Diner Capital of the World!” So, to really appreciate the taste of the Garden State, we will be having some classic dishes that are both comforting and delicious, while making you feel like you’re spending a Saturday night in your favorite booth listing to the jukebox play your favorite song.
Tips and Tricks
- The baking sheet that the meatloaf will be on should have a tall lip, to contain all of the juices.
- Line the bottom of the baking sheet with aluminum foil first and then place parchment paper over that. It makes cleanup super easy!
- The easiest way to form the meatloaf is to line a loaf pan with wax paper and then fill the loaf pan with the meatloaf mixture, being sure to pack it tightly. Then, turn the meatloaf out onto your pan and remove the wax paper.
- The ground beef for your meatloaf mix should be 75%-25%. The meat will need the extra fat since it is going to cook for so long. Lean ground beef will result is dry meatloaf.
- When preparing the carrots for the salad, use a vegetable peeler. Peel the carrots first and discard the tough outer layer. Then, use the vegetable peeler to get thin, even ribbons.
- When making the gravy, be sure that the cornstarch is completely dissolved into the cold water. This will prevent lumps.
- To check for perfectly done potatoes, stab one with a metal fork and hold the fork straight up and down. If the chunk of potato slides off the fork by itself and into the water easily, your potatoes done. If it does not, they need more cooking time.
Yankee Tower Diner Meatloaf
Serves 6
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef, NOT lean
- 1/4 lb. Yellow American Cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 lb. Swiss Cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 Small Yellow onion, peeled and finely diced
- 2 Eggs
- 3/4 Cup Whole Milk
- 3/4 Cup Plain Breadcrumbs
- 1 Tbs Granulated Beef Bouillon (this equals 1 Knorr beef Bouillon cube crushed)
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Step 2: Place all of the ingredients into a large bowl and mix together, by hand, until all of the ingredients are well combined, and the cheese is evenly distributed throughout.
Step 3: Form the mixture into a loaf and place in on an aluminum foil and parchment paper-lined baking tray.
Step 4: Place the meatloaf in the hot oven and bake for 60-65 minutes, or until the center of the meatloaf resisters 160 degrees.
Step 5: Remove from the oven and slice. Serve hot with brown gravy.
Classic Brown Gravy
Serves 6
- 4 Tbs Onions, finely minced
- 2 Tbs Butter
- 2 Cups Beef Broth
- 4 Tbs Cold Water
- 2 Tbs Cornstarch
Step 1: Place a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Once the pan is hot, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft, about 4 minutes.
Step 2: Add in the beef broth and bring the liquid to a simmer. Once bubbling, cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: While the liquid is simmering, combine the cold water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
Step 4: After the 5-minute cooking time, pour the water/cornstarch mixture into the beef broth, whisking the entire time. Cook for 1 minute, continuously whisking.
Step 5: Once the gravy has thickened to your liking, remove from the heat and serve.
Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes
Serves 4
- 2 lbs. Gold Potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/2 Whole Milk, warmed
- 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
- 1/4 Cup Chives, finely chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Step 1: Place the potatoes in a large pot. Add enough water to the pot to completely cover the potatoes.
Step 2: Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
Step 3: Once the potatoes are cooked, drain the water and return the potatoes to the large pot.
Step 4: Using a potato masher, crush the potatoes. Add the hot milk and mash until the potatoes are fluffy.
Step 5: Stir in the sour cream, chives, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Step 6: Serve hot.
Weequshic Diner Salad
Serves 6
- 1/2 Small Green Cabbage, outer leaves and core removed and thinly shredded
- 1 large Onion, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
- 1 Large Carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, stem and seeds removed and thinly sliced
- 1 Small Cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, and thinly sliced
- 3 Tbs White Vinegar
- 3 Tbs Vegetable Oil
- 3 Tbs Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
Step 1: In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, onion, carrot, green pepper, and cucumber.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, and salt until everything is dissolved.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Step 4: Cover tightly and set aside in the refrigerator overnight.
Step 5: Serve cold.
Fun Facts about New Jersey: 1. Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world. 2. The first Indian reservation was in Shamong Township. 3. New Jersey has the highest population density in the U.S. An average 1,030 people per sq. mi., which is 13 times the national average. 4. North Jersey is the car theft capital of the world, with more cars stolen in Newark than any other city. Even the 2 largest cities, NYC and LA put together. 5. Passaic river was the site to the first submarine ride by inventor John P. Holland. 6. New Jersey is a leading industrial state and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation. 7. New Jersey has the tallest water tower in the world. The Union Watersphere is 212 feet tall! 8. Modern paleontology, the science of studying dinosaur fossils, began in 1858 with the discovery of the first nearly complete skeleton of a dinosaur in Haddonfield, New Jersey. The Hadrosaurus is the official New Jersey state dinosaur.
Edible U.S. 