Food

Food

The chief foods that people eat differ widely throughout the world. Millions of people in Asia eat rice as their main food. People of the Pacific Islands depend heavily on fish. Most people of Turkey eat mainly cracked – wheat bread and yoghurt. The people of Argentina and Uruguay eat a lot of beef. What people eat depends chiefly on where they live and on how much money they have. It also depends on their customs, health, live style, and religious beliefs. But each person develops individual food preferences and prejudices.

Сustoms influence what people eat and how they prepare, serve, and eat foods. Many countries and regions have traditional dishes, most of which are based on locally produced foods. In many cases, the dishes of various cultures include the same basic ingredients. But different seasonings and cooking methods give the dish a special regional or national flavour. In the United States, for example, people enjoy such distinctively different chicken dishes as Southern-fried chicken, Louisiana chicken creole, and Texas-style barbecued chicken.

Many people consider France to be the world centre for high-quality foods and fine cooking. French chefs are especially known for their elaborate dishes with rich sauces and for their intricate cakes and pastries. Perhaps the most famous English dish is roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, a batter pudding baked in beef juices. Italy is known for its spaghetti, macaroni, and other pastas and for its sauces made with tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. Sausages, potatoes and cabbage, and beer are common in the German diet. Scandinavians enjoy herring and other fish. They also are noted for their excellent cheeses and many kinds of breads, which range from thin, crisp sheets to dark, heavy loaves.

The Spanish and Portuguese eat a great deal of fish. Their use of onions and garlic for seasoning influenced cooking in the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and other parts of Latin America that were colonized by them. Caribbean cooking features such local fruits and vegetables as plantains (a kind of banana) and cassava (a starchy root). Mexican food is noted for its use of a variety of peppers. Mexicans enjoy flat breads, called tortilla, made from maize and wheat flour.They may eat the tortillas plain or wrapped around bits of cheese, meat, and beans to form tacos.

The main food of many people in the Middle East is pitta bread, a flat bread made from wheat. For celebrations, people of the region often prepare shish kebab.This dish consists of cubes of lamb, tomatoes, peppers, and onions roasted on a spikelike skewer. Rice is the main dish of people in Japan, southern China, India, and Southeast Asia. Japanese meals commonly include vegetables, tofu (soybean curd), and raw or cooked fish.

Food and drink in England

Traditional English cooking is simple. The English like roasted and grilled meats and use few spices and sauces. Sunday dinner may consist of roasted chicken or a joint of beef or lamb with potatoes and vegetables, followed by a sweet (dessert) – often fruit pie with custard. Yorkshire pudding is often served with beef.

Other popular English dishes include steak and kidney pie, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash. Steak and kidney pie is a stew made  of beef and kidneys and topped by a pastry crust. Shepherd’s pie is a casserole of minced meat and mashed potatoes. Bangers and mash are thick sausages served with mashed potatoes. The English also like fish, especially cod, Dover sole, haddock, herring, and plaice. Fish and chips is a favourite dish for lunch, dinner, or supper. It consist of fried fish and fried potatoes and is sold at fish -and - chip shops.

The favourite alcoholic drink in England is beer, also called ale. Two popular types of beer are bitter and larger. Some English people also like Scotch whisky and gin. A popular non alcoholic drink in England is squash, which is made by adding water to a concentrate of crushed oranges or lemons.

Food in America

Americans eat a wide variety of foods. A typical dinner consists of meat and potatoes, plus a lettuce salad or a vegetable, and sometimes rolls or bread. Favourite dinner meats include beef steaks, ground beef dishes, chicken, ham, and turkey. Fish, shellfish, and such dishes as pizza and spaghetti also serve as main courses.

For lunch, many Americans eat a hamburger or a hot dog, or sandwich made with meat or sliced sausage, cheese, peanut butter, chicken salad, or tuna salad.

Some Americans enjoy a hearty breakfast of eggs or pancakes served with bacon or sausage. Others prefer a light breakfast of toast or a pastry, or cereal with milk and fruit. Orange juice accompanies many breakfasts.

Cake, biscuits, pie, and ice cream are eaten as desserts and snacks. Other snack foods include chocolate and sweets, crisps made from potatoes or maize, and fruits such as bananas, apples, oranges, and grapes.

Beverages are drunk with meals and also at other times for refreshment. Consumption of soft drinks, especially cola, exceeds that of any other beverage.

Americans eat out often. Fast-food restaurants have wide popularity. They offer a limited variety of foods, all of which are served within a few minutes. Common fastfood items include hamburgers and other sandwiches, fried chicken, and chips. Many Americans also enjoy the cooking of other countries. Chinese, French, Italian, and Mexican restaurants have long been popular. In recent years, Americans have begun to enjoy the cuisines of India, Japan, the Middle East, and other areas.