Missouri

These recipes showcase just some of the foods that Missouri is famous for. “The Show Me State” was the 24th state to join the U.S.A in 1821. Whether you pronounce is “Missouree” or “Missouruh”, this midwest state has a lot to offer in terms of delicious culinary fare!

Missouri is the birthplace of the ice cream cone in 1904 during the World’s Fair. And Kansas City, MO has more barbeque restaurants per capita than any other city. It’s where Kansas City BBQ sauce was born as well as fan favorite brisket burnt ends, St. Louis-style ribs, and lots more barbecued meat as well.

Beyond barbecue, must-try foods when visiting Missouri include toasted ravioli and the popular gooey butter cake. There is even St. Louis-style pizza made with provel cheese – a blend of white cheddar, swiss, and provolone popular in the midwest – and a thin, crispy, unleavened crust.

A couple Missouri fun facts: Missouri’s biggest city isn’t actually St. Louis or even Jefferson City (the capital) but Kansas City, which it shares with bordering Kansas. The Mississippi River runs along the eastern border of Missouri and is joined by the Missouri River in St. Louis, the “home of the blues”.

Also, I have a personal connection to Missouri having lived in St. Louis, MO for part of my early childhood. Other (much more famous) Missourians include author Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain), President Harry Truman, inventor George Washington Carver, the outlaw Jesse James, and actors Jenna Fisher, Brad Pitt, and Dick Van Dyke.

I still remember catching a snapping turtle in a pond near our home and riding the elevator to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. It’s the tallest manmade monument in the U.S. and more than twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty!

A plate of toasted ravioli with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping.