Pre-reading. 1. Look at the pictures and match the dishes (A-D) to the countries they are traditionally eaten (1-4).

1. Look at the pictures and match the dishes (A-D) to the countries they are traditionally eaten (1-4).

A fish and chips ………. 1 Ireland

B Irish stew ………. 2 USA

C burger and fries ………. 3 Canada

D pancakes and maple syrup ………. 4 Britain

2. For which of the dishes above (A-D) would you need these ingredients?

1. 100 grams of minced beef, grilled or fried …………..

2. pieces of deep-fried potato, sprinkled with salt and vinegar …………..

3. syrup made from the sap of the maple tree …………..

4. meat, potatoes, onions, carrots and parsley …………..

& Reading

Read the text and answer the questions, then use your dictionary to look up the words in bold.

Fish and Chips

One of Britain’s best-known meals is fish and chips. It is not only delicious, but also a part of British culture.

The fish is covered in batter (made from eggs, milk and flour) then fried in hot oil. When cooked, the batter is crispy and the piece of fresh fish inside is soft. This is served with chips, pieces of deep-fried potato, which are them sprinkled with salt and vinegar.

Fish and chip shops have been around since the 19th century. It was traditional in parts of Britain to eat fish and chips on Friday evening. Families would usually buy them from their nearest shop and serve them at home. It used to be quite a cheap meal and was often served wrapped in newspaper.

Irish Stew

Any Irish person will tell you that the best Irish stew is the one their mother makes. In fact, no two Irish stews are the same, because everyone who cooks it changes the recipe in their own way.

Originally, Irish stew was a dish that poorer people made because it was cheap and filling. The main ingredients were lamb and potatoes, both of which were easy to find in Ireland. Other ingredients were usually onions, carrots and parsley.

Today, Irish stew is still the same basic dish – a kind of thick soup or casserole made of meat, potatoes and vegetables. However, the exact recipe varies to suit individual tastes and the availability of ingredients. For example, many Irish immigrants in America found beef to be cheaper and more available than lamb, and so they used beef instead. Some recipes have even changed this simple dish into a gourmet meal.

Burger and Fries

A burger and fries is by far the most popular type of meal bought in the US. In fact, Americans buy almost 5 billion burgers a year! This popularity has spread around the world with the growth of international “fast food” restaurant chains.

Many people say that the first burger was served at the St Louis World’s Fair in 1904. The first chain of burger restaurants started with the White Castle burger in 1921, and it was a great success.

The classic burger is made from about 100 grams of minced beef which is fried or grilled, then served in a bun covered with sesame seeds. The growing popularity of vegetarianism has also led to burgers made from soya bean “meat” instead. Fries, also called French fries, are cooked like English chips, but they are cut into thinner slices.

A burger and French fries may not be the healthiest meal in the world – but it is certainly one of the word’s favourites.

Pancakes with Maple Syrup

Canada’s most famous dish is pancakes with maple syrup. It is traditionally eaten for breakfast, and can be found on the menu in practically every dinner in the country.

Pancakes are made from eggs, milk and flour, and they are cooked on a griddle. They are round and quite thick, and they are served with maple syrup poured over the top.

Maple syrup is made from the sap of the sugar maple tree. The sap is collected from the trees in early spring, then boiled until it turns into a golden syrup. The syrup is delicious when poured on ice-cream, waffles – and, of course, pancakes.