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■大牌檔的美食老少咸宜。 資料圖片
Confucius once said, "The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live." The preparation(n.預備)and presentation of the food can be a work of art in Chinese culinary(n.烹飪). Basic cooking methods in Chinese cuisine include frying(n.煎), stir-frying(n.炒), deep-frying(n.炸), boiling(n.煮), stewing(n.燉) and steaming(n.蒸).
Juliet, a food-curious tourist from England, came to Hong Kong for holiday. She wanted to try all kinds of adventurous(adj.大膽的)Chinese recipes(n.食譜). A dai pai dong (大牌檔) called Royal Kitchen was a recommendation from the travel guide book she bought in England. She found this kind of open-air food stalls very unique and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, she got lost on her way to Royal Kitchen and became frustrated because she couldn't speak Chinese and ask for assistance. Laura, who lived nearby, saw Juliet and did her best to help.
Laura: Hi, may I help you?
你好！有需要幫忙嗎？
Juliet: Oh yes! I am looking for a Chinese restaurant called Royal Kitchen.
你好。我在尋找一家名為御膳廚房的中式餐廳。
Laura: Oh, it's just right here!
哦！就在這裡啊！
Juliet: Cool! Thanks!
太好了！謝謝！
Juliet couldn't have felt more welcome and invited Laura to dinner. Laura hesitated at first but then accepted the invitation.
Laura: Is this your first time to Hong Kong?
你第一次來香港嗎？
Juliet: Yes, I am alone. Do you want to join me for dinner?
是啊，我一個人來。你賞面跟我一起吃飯嗎？
Laura: Sure! Why not?
好的！
Juliet was very upbeat(adj.樂觀的)and warm. According to her guide book, deep fried calamari(椒鹽炒鮮魷)was the signature dish(招牌菜)of Royal Kitchen that best showcased(v.展示)the chef's deep try skills. Juliet highly recommended it to Laura. They also wanted to have some all-time favourite(時常都很受歡迎的)vegetarian dishes but had no idea which vegetables were in season(合時). They asked the waitress(n.女侍應) for advice. The waitress said that they had morning glory(通菜), lettuce(生菜), choi sum also called flowering cabbage(菜心)and broccoli(西蘭花). Laura ordered morning glory with beef. Juliet was surprised to know that most Chinese dishes are cooked with the meat and vegetables together.
As a tourist, Juliet wanted to explore a Chinese cook's arsenal (n.兵工廠。此處比喻廚房像個兵工廠). The waitress was so generous(adj.大方的)that she allowed them to observe how the chef(n.廚師)prepared their dishes. It was such an eye-opening(adj.大開眼界的)experience to Juliet! Inside the kitchen, they saw some common Chinese ingredients(n.材料)such as spring onions(蔥), garlic(蒜茸), ginger(薑), peppers(胡椒)and corn starch(粟粉).
Chinese people like to put dishes in the middle of the table for all to share and use individual bowls of rice for each person. Laura and Juliet ordered two bowls of plain rice. The waitress offered Juliet knife and fork as she knew those are European cutlery(n.餐具). Juliet declined(v.婉拒)her offer as she could manage chopsticks(n.筷子)very well. The food was delicious!
To remove food residue(食物殘渣)from teeth with toothpicks(n.牙籤)is a common practise in China. However, Laura avoided doing so as she thought it was not hygienic(adj.衛生)and could appear to be rude(adj.粗魯的). ■Lily Poon
Questions:
1. Can you name some cooking methods in Chinese culinary?
2. What are the ingredients mentioned in the video?
3. What is the most common cutlery do Chinese people use?
Answers:
1. Fry (煎), stir-fry (炒), boil (煮), deep-fry (炸), stew (炆、燉) and steam (蒸).
2. Spring onion (蔥), garlic (蒜茸), ginger (薑), chilli (辣椒) and corn flour (粟粉).
3. Chopsticks.
Please visit http://wwpenglishcolumn.blogspot.com to watch the video about Laura and Juliet's eating experience and learn some common restaurant phrases in English.
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