Oklahoma state meal facts for kids
The official Oklahoma state meal is a special collection of foods that represents the state of Oklahoma. While many U.S. states have official foods, Oklahoma is unique because it has an entire official meal! It's a way to celebrate the state's history and its important farm products.
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How the Oklahoma State Meal Was Created
The idea for the official state meal came from the 41st Oklahoma Legislature in 1988. The Legislature is a group of elected people who make laws for the state. They passed something called House Concurrent Resolution 1083 to make the meal official.
Many different groups helped decide what foods should be in the meal. These included the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture (which helps farmers), restaurant owners, and groups that support pork, beef, and wheat farmers. Even some food companies helped out! On April 19, 1988, it was "Oklahoma Meal Day," and restaurants were encouraged to serve this special meal.
What's on the Menu?
The dishes in the Oklahoma state meal are very common in the Southern United States. They include foods that have been important for a long time in the region. They also show off the many different foods grown and raised in Oklahoma.
Meat Dishes
- Barbecued pork: Pork cooked slowly with a tasty sauce.
- Chicken-fried steak: A piece of steak that's breaded and fried, like fried chicken.
- Sausage with biscuits and gravy: A breakfast dish with sausage, soft biscuits, and a creamy gravy.
Vegetable Dishes
- Black-eyed peas: Small, creamy beans often eaten in the South.
- Corn: A popular grain, often served on the cob or as kernels.
- Fried okra: A green vegetable, sliced and fried until crispy.
- Grits: A creamy dish made from ground corn, like a porridge.
- Squash: A type of vegetable that comes in many shapes and sizes.
Bread Dish
- Cornbread: A type of bread made from cornmeal, often served warm.
Dessert Dishes
- Pecan pie: A sweet pie filled with pecans, a type of nut.
- Strawberries: Fresh, juicy red berries.
Is the Meal Healthy?
The Oklahoma state meal is a very big and hearty meal! Because it has so many different dishes, it can be quite rich. Some people have pointed out that eating the whole meal might be more calories than a person needs in one day.
There was even a discussion in the state government about how healthy the meal was. A state senator once suggested changing the meal, but the idea didn't pass. So, the official Oklahoma state meal remains the same today!
